Economic Analysis of Cropping System in Meerut District of Western Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Rice-Wheat and Sugarcane-Wheat cropping system are the major cropping system prevalent in the study area covers the highest area. The present study was an attempt on "Economic Analysis of Cropping System in Meerut District of Western Uttar Pradesh" with the following objectives, (i) To know the socio economic profile of the sample households, (ii) To examine the input use pattern under Rice-Wheat and Sugarcane-Wheat cropping system and (iii) To workout the cost, production, productivity and net returns in the major cropping system. Meerut district selected purposively to conduct the present investigation. Two blocks were selected purposively on the basis of area under Rice-Wheat and Sugarcane-Wheat cropping system. Forms the list of the villages of the selected blocks, four villages were selected randomly. A visit of the farmer were prepared and 80 respondent were selected on the basis of probability proportions to their population under small (up to 2 hectare), medium (2 to 4hectare) and large category (>4 hectare). The required information was collected by interview method and secondary data from the published sources. It is evident from the study that average size of holding and other conditions required for crop cultivation are better than the state average. Rice-Wheat and Sugarcane-Wheat are the important cropping system followed in the study area. It was found that employment generated through Sugarcane-Wheat cropping system was 535 man days while in case of RiceWheat cropping system was 364 man days. Per hectare expenditure in the respective cropping system was Rs. 181841.00 and Rs. 221013.00 and the activity wise rental value of land accounted to 34 per cent alone. Family labour utilization was more in case on small farmer than medium and large under both the cropping system. In the study Rice and Sugarcane both were converted into Wheat grain equivalent the average gross return per hectare in RiceWheat cropping system was Rs. 261713.00 and Rs. 268452.00, Rs. 261608.00 and 256508.00 for small, medium and large size of farmers respectively. In Sugarcane-Wheat it was Rs. 360204.00, 367505.00 and 380489.00 under the respective category of the farm with overall average of Rs. 368545.00. The per hectare net return was more in Sugarcane-Wheat than RiceWheat cropping system. The return over cost A, Cost C, farm business income and family labour income was also higher in case of Sugarcane-Wheat cropping system than the RiceWheat cropping system.