Economics of crop and livestock production in Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

A survey of 216 farm households was conducted across 3 districts each from south west semi arid plain and mid plain zone of Uttar Pradesh, India during 2006–07. The economic analysis indicated that all the farmers are diversifying their crop activities. It was found in both the zones that as farm size increases the herd size also increases. The per hectare cost of production was the lowest in mid plain and the highest in south-west semi arid plains. In general, per hectare cost on livestock management indicated inverse relationship between farmers’ dependency on livestock and farm size. The study revealed that after deducting total cost from the gross income, per hectare net return or total return to management from crop production and livestock production were negative (Rs 3542) on small farms in mid plain and positive on marginal and large farms (Rs 3 479 and Rs 4609). The livestock productivity was higher in south-west semi arid zone and therefore, farmers were able to manage higher return. The source-wise income revealed that highest proportion (85%) of the total net income was provided by crop production in mid plain and from livestock (65.8%) in south-west semi arid plain. The income was not sufficient for maintenance of balanced food, health and education of their family. There is a large scope to expand farm activities i.e. dairying, goatery, poultry, bee keeping etc. for increasing farm income besides providing low cost technology for farm production and reliable prices of their farm produce.