The economics of mixed farming in Kerala

Abstract

The Economics of Mixed Farming in Kerala analyzed farming practices, costs and benefits, input efficiency, operating constraints, activity mix and gender dimensions of mixed farming in Palakkad and Thrissur districts of Kerala. Sample size was 300 farmer members apportioned equally among coastal, plain and high range regions of the selected districts. Two third of the sample area was under homestead farming with one or two milch animals. Benefit per unit of cost was always greater than unity. Production function analysis revealed constant returns to scale and negative production elasticities of roughages/concentrates. Marginal productivities of inputs other than feed are positive. Major constraints in production were low productivity, high input cost, water insufficiency and diseases. Problems in marketing were low price, inadequate transportation and undeveloped infrastructure. Optimum activity mix through linear programming found that a change in activity mix could increase net returns. Decision makings were either male oriented or joint while work participation was male dominated. Weaker sections were at risk like coastal among the regions, marginal farmers among the size groups and women among the gender. However, complementarity of enterprises ensured livelihood. Hence policy intervention is required to prevent further marginalisation.