Economic Analysis of Ground and Surface Water Use in Agriculture in Southern Rajasthan

Abstract

newline The present study was undertaken on Economic Analysis of Ground and Surface Water Use in Agriculture in Southern Rajasthan with a view to investigate the growth and instability of area under tube-well and canal irrigation, cost and return, income inequality of households, factors affecting crop output, resource use efficiency and constraints faced by farmers in Southern Rajasthan. Primary data were collected for the year 2020-21 and secondary data pertained to period 2000-01 to 2019-20. The data were analysed using the compound annual growth rate, instability indices, cost and benefit analysis, Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient, regression analysis, resource use efficiency and Garrett technique and Rank Based Quotient method. The results of the study indicated that highest growth rate of net irrigated area under tube-well (6.49 %) and canal (2.84 %) was observed during 2011-2020. The highest instability in net irrigated area was found in tube-well and canal irrigation i.e., 21.56 and 8.14 per cent, respectively. Per hectare overall cost of cultivation and net return from maize crop were newlineand#8377; 25786.20 and and#8377; 11744.63 and and#8377; 24448.30 and and#8377; 7578.30 on beneficiary and non- beneficiary farms in Udaipur district. Total cost of cultivation of wheat on beneficiary and non-beneficiary farms was and#8377; 40379.86 and and#8377; 41296.55 whereas net return was and#8377; 41105.64 and and#8377; 30809.68 respectively in Udaipur district. Total cost of cultivation of rabi maize crop on beneficiary and non-beneficiary farms was and#8377; 37573.98 and and#8377; 37857.86 and net return was and#8377; 43310.52 and and#8377; 34798.64 respectively in Banswara district. The total cost of cultivation of wheat on beneficiary and non-beneficiary farms was and#8377; 35627.63 and and#8377; 35303.01whereas net return was and#8377; 47543.37 and and#8377; 42412.49 respectively in Banswara district. Returns per rupee investment on beneficiary farms was found lowest in maize crop (1.46) and highest in wheat i.e., 2.02 in Udaipur district, while lowest in rabi maize (2.15) and highest in soybean (2.65) in Banswara district. The Gini- conce