Economic Appraisal of Farm Pond Investments and Their Impact on Wheat and Barley Cultivation in Jaipur District of Rajasthan, India | Chapter 8 | Agricultural Sciences: Techniques and Innovations Vol. 6

 

Farm ponds play a pivotal role in optimising land and water resources for agricultural purposes, considering both surface water and groundwater. They serve as critical assets in the efficient management and conservation of soil and water resources, offering multifaceted solutions to meet diverse agricultural needs. This study aimed to assess the economic feasibility of investing in farm ponds among farmers in Jaipur district, Rajasthan, India. Primary data for this study were taken from eighty farmers, including 40 beneficiaries of RKVY-PDMC and MKSY and 40 non-beneficiary farmers for the agricultural year 2021-22. The study's findings revealed the cost of cultivation analysis for wheat and barley. In the case of the wheat crop, farm pond farmers recorded higher yields and profitability, with net returns increasing by 37.19 per cent, returns over variable costs by 34.25 per cent, and the cost of production declining by 28.34 per cent relative to non-farm pond farmers. A similar pattern was observed in the barley crop, where net returns rose by 43.33 per cent, returns over variable costs improved by 37.73 per cent, and the cost of production decreased by 22.07 per cent under farm pond conditions. Across both crops, assured and timely irrigation from farm ponds contributed to reduced expenditure on key variable inputs, particularly irrigation, fertilisers, and plant protection chemicals-thereby enhancing input-use efficiency, stabilising yields, and significantly improving overall economic performance. The total costs for constructing plastic-lined farm ponds were ₹242,348.56 without subsidy and ₹137,348.56 with subsidy per pond. Cost component-wise, machinery, labour, and material costs accounted for the majority (95%) of the total establishment cost without subsidy. The economic evaluation indicators demonstrated favourable outcomes for farm pond investments. The net present worth of the investment was positive, the benefit-cost ratio exceeded one and was positive, the internal rate of return exceeded the prevailing interest rate, and the payback period was relatively short, both with and without subsidies. This suggests that the government should continue to increase subsidy support for plastic-lined farm pond construction to promote economic prosperity among farmers.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Vikas Chaudhary
Division of Dairy Economics Statistics & Management, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India.

 

Ashish Yadav
Division of Dairy Economics Statistics & Management, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India.

 

Please see the link:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/asti/v6/6756