PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY IN POTATO CULTIVATION: A STUDY IN BRAHMAPUTRA VALLEY OF ASSAM, INDIA

RIMJIM BORDOLOI¹, MAILA LAMA²*
¹Department Economics, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, 791112, Arunachal Pradesh, India
²Department Economics, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, 791112, Arunachal Pradesh, India
* Corresponding Author : lama_rgu@rediffmail.com

Received : 10-02-2020     Accepted : 26-02-2020     Published : 28-02-2020
Volume : 12     Issue : 4       Pages : 9573 - 9577
Int J Agr Sci 12.4 (2020):9573-9577

Keywords : Potato, Productivity, Assam, Costs, Profit ratio, Linear Regression
Academic Editor : T. Gulhan
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Authors are thankful to Department Economics, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, 791112, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Author Contribution : All authors equally contributed

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is an important crop grown in north eastern region of India. It is extensively grown in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam and is a source of sustainable income and employment. This paper evaluates the productivity and profitability in potato cultivation based on household level data collected from 400 potato growers. The multi-stage random sampling technique was adopted and the data were collected through personal interview method by using structured questionnaires. The descriptive statistics and the regression analysis were employed to analyse the data. The mean productivity of potato among the farmers was 305 quintals per hectare and gross profit ratio of was 44 percent. The semi-medium size of holding was found to be the most productive and gross profit ratio was the highest in large holding. The regression results showed that profitability was positively affected by yield rate and age of the farmers and negatively affected by labor cost. The potato cultivation was found to be profitable and a source of sustainable income for farmers. However, there are certain problems like inadequate cold storage facility, inadequate of HYV seeds, lack of credit facility, high cost of inputs, price fluctuations etc. which need to be addressed to encourage potato cultivation in the State.

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