Economic analysis of protability in tomato production at different seasons and market prices: A study in Kolar district of Karnataka

Abstract

This study was conducted during 2015-16 in 3 taluks/blocks of Kolar district, Karnataka. The total sample size was 150 tomato growers, 50 from each taluks. Farmers grew hybrids in Malur taluk, high yielding varieties (HYVs) in Mulbagal and both in case of Srinivaspura taluk. Since there was high volatility in tomato prices, most of the farmers cultivated tomato in 3 seasons depending upon the availability of irrigation in anticipation of good profits in any one season of the crop. Hence, an attempt was made to study the cost of cultivation, marketing costs and returns per rupee expenditure (RRE) of growing tomato at different price levels and seasons. Results showed that, around 31 to 37 percent of the total cost of cultivation comprised of labour cost. Total labour cost was highest in Malur taluk (Rs. 60592 per acre) for hybrids compared to HYVs grown in Srinivaspura (Rs. 55271 per acre) and Mulbagal taluks (Rs. 43164 per acre). The total cost of cultivation was lowest for all the three seasons for HYVs in Mulbagal taluk compared to hybrids grown in Malur and Srinivaspura taluks, respectively. Net profit earned per acre of tomato cultivated was highest for hybrids (Rs. 114707) than HYVs (Rs. 84287) of tomatoes. The highest RRE for tomato cultivation was in Malur taluk (1.70) followed by Srinivaspura taluk (1.64) and Mulbagal taluk (1.60) at average prices. The cost of producing one kg of tomato ranged from Rs 12 to 13 and the average price received by farmers ranged from Rs 14 to 15 per kg of tomato. This narrow margin of profit for the farmers can be increased by decreasing the cost of cultivation. Hence, further research has to be conducted on cost effective production and protection technologies in tomato production.