Impact of Watershed on Cost and Returns Structure of Soyabean Cultivation in Nek Region

Land is a scarce resource and basic unit for any material production. It can support the needs of the growing population, provided they use land in a rational and judicious manner. The biggest crisis that the world is facing in the 21st century is the crisis of water. Looming water scarcity over large parts of the world and increased withdrawal by agriculture from 2500 km3 in 2000 to 3200 km3 by 2025 has attracted the attention of policy makers and researchers for achieving food and water security. Soybean (Glycine max) was one of the major Kharif crop cultivated in watershed (71.50 acres) and non-watershed areas (80.35 acres). Hence, an attempt was made to study the impact of watershed on the cost and returns structure in soybean cultivation in selected four districts of NEK region with the sample size of 240. It was observed inputs utilized for the cultivation in watershed areas was higher than non-watershed areas. Due to higher input utilization the total cost in watershed (Rs. 17080.90/ha.) was higher than non-watershed (Rs. 14257.62/ha.). The returns were also higher in watershed area (Rs. 27941.76/ha.). The returns per rupee of investment realized in watershed areas was 1.64 which is slightly higher than (1.56) non-watershed areas. The higher returns per rupee of investment indicating soyabean cultivation in the watershed area was financially feasible.