Vol. 11, Special Issue 2 (2022)

Author(s):
SR Chavan, Dr. RR Suryawanshi and Dr. HR Shinde

Abstract:
The present study entitled, ‘Economics of Rabi Sorghum Certified Seed and Grain Production in Satara District of Maharashtra’ is based on a sample of 90 Rabi Sorghum certified seed producer farmers and 30 grain producer farmers drawn from Satara and Karad tahsil of Satara district. The present study was undertaken with per hectare costs and returns of Rabi Sorghum certified seed production and grain production, problems faced by farmers in Rabi Sorghum certified seed and grain production. The data pertained to the agricultural year 2019-20. The study revealed that per hectare cost of cultivation was Rs.109940.62 and Rs. 78845.40 respectively for Rabi Sorghum certified seed production and grain production. The per hectare cost of cultivation was higher in Rabi Sorghum certified seed production than the Rabi Sorghum grain production but per quintal cost were Rs. 1131.36 and Rs. 1157.56 for Rabi Sorghum certified seed production and grain production respectively. The per hectare income received from Rabi sorghum certified seed production (Rs.289002.73) was higher showing more economic viability than that of grain production (Rs. 132562.36). The B:C ratio at cost C was 2.63 in case of Rabi sorghum certified seed production as compared to 1.68. in Rabi Sorghum grain production. The B:C ratio of more than unity indicated that the certified seed production in the study area is economically viable proposition. The findings of the investigation further showed that problems faced by Rabi Sorghum certified seed producer farmers in production were risk of rejection of sorghum seed at the time of grading, processing and testing, Higher wages rates, Maintenance of seed plot requires more labour, Higher cost of foundation seed etc. whereas, problems faced by Rabi Sorghum grain producer farmers were labour scarcity at peak season followed by Higher wages rates, Higher prices of pesticides, Lack of availability of good quality seed etc.