ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF POTATO CULTIVATION IN TRANS-GIRI REGION OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

Abstract

Potato accounts for 10.85 per cent of the Himachal’s total (17.22 lakh MT) vegetable output, which is the highest among all vegetables. In terms of area and output of potato, the state’s third-ranked district is Sirmaur, and the Trans-Giri region of Sirmaur is notable for its high-quality potato production. Therefore, in the light of vital importance of potato in the Sirmaur’s agrarian economy, this study reports the economic analysis of potato cultivation in Trans-Giri region which was done based on primary survey of 60 farmers grouped into small and large farmers of Sirmaur district during 2022-23. The total variable cost, total cost and net farm income on overall farm came to be Rs. 17,6368/hectare, Rs. 21,4929/hectare and Rs. 17,1618/hectare, respectively. Hired labour and potato seed made up the majority of the expenses which was around 52 per cent of total variable costs. Potato production seemed profitable with an output-input ratio of 1.80. To increase the production and profitability of potato crop, farmers must rationalize the use of inputs in accordance with package of practices.