CASTOR CULTIVATION IN GUJARAT: ANALYSIS OF COSTS AND RETURNS

Abstract

India ranks first in terms of castor area under cultivation, production and productivity. Amongst the states of India, Gujarat is the leading castor growing state that shares more than 62% of the area under castor cultivation and 78% of the total castor production of the country. The present paper attempts to analyse the cost of castor cultivation and returns from castor cultivation in Gujarat. A micro level survey has been undertaken in major castor growing (Banaskantha, Mahesana and Kutch) districts of Gujarat to determine the cost of cultivation and returns from cultivation of castor in Gujarat. It has been noticed that there is a statistically significant difference in cost of cultivation between / across the Banaskantha, Kutch and Mahesana districts. The Cost-C2 for cultivation of castor was estimated to be highest in Kutch followed by Mahesana and Banaskantha. It has been perceived that there is a statistically significant difference in returns from castor cultivation between / across the Banaskantha, Kutch and Mahesana districts. The per hectare gross income as well as net income was determined to be highest in Kutch, followed by Mahesana and Banaskantha. It revealed that cost of cultivation of castor and returns from castor cultivation differed with the zone of districts.