Costs and Returns of Betel Vine in Bagawanpur-I Block of Midnapur (East) District of West Bengal, India
G. Mandal
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bidhan Chadra Krishi Viswavidyalaya Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
A. Maiti
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bidhan Chadra Krishi Viswavidyalaya Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
B. K. Bera
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bidhan Chadra Krishi Viswavidyalaya Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
S. De *
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bidhan Chadra Krishi Viswavidyalaya Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
Md. H. Ali
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bidhan Chadra Krishi Viswavidyalaya Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Betel vine (Piper betle Linn.) is an economically and medicinally important perennial crop. Cultivation of Betel leaf is a profitable enterprise and also a good source of gainful employment for family members. This production pattern of betel vine complies with the biological nature of perennial crops. This research study focuses on the possibility of Betel Vine cultivation in Bagawanpur-I Block of Midnapur (East) District. The study is based on primary data collected from 50 betel vine growers selected through simple random sampling. The data related to the costs and returns structure were collected in a pre-structured schedule through a personal interview method. Costs and returns were analysed using Cost A1 (paid-out costs) and Cost D (total cost including imputed family labour). The findings reveal that the yield has started increasing from the 2nd to 6th year, and then it started to fall. The pattern of average annual total return realised by the sample farmers of the study area is seen to be consistent with that of the leaf production, and it is gradually moving upwards starting from the 2nd year and have reached the maximum level during the period of 3-6th year and from 7th year, it has shown a declining trend till final year i.e., 15th year. Average annual net return complies similarly to that of physical and gross return across the ages of the boroj i.e., starting farm negative net return in the first year, gradually increases with the increase of age of the plants up to the 6th year when it reaches its maximum level and then gradually declines and attains the lowest level at the age of 15thyear. The present study clearly highlights the feasibility of betel vine cultivation in Midnapur (East) District. Betel leaf cultivation has also been found to provide a good source of gainful employment for family labor.
Keywords: Cost and returns, Bagawanpur-I Block, economics, annual net return, cultivation