ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF POTATO CULTIVATION, IN SHIMLA DISTRICT (HP)

Abstract

A survey of 129 farmers from 9 villages in Theog Rohru and Tikka blocks of Shimla district showed direct relationship of farm size with investment of fixed capital, being Rs 3889/- on marginal farm and Rs 94947/- on large farm. Analysis of technology adoption indicated that maximum technology adoption was in fertilizer use (57.23%) followed by seed (55.52%) and plant protection (46.51%) which revealed scope for transfer and subsequent adoption of these technologies. In the study area, the farmers earned net return of Rs. 7.940/ha while not considering the imputed value of family labour and output input ratio was 1 22 during 1998-99. The major constraints identified for low yield of potato were unavailbility of good quaility and quantity of healthy seed lack of knowleged about the fertilizer and plant protection technologies.