Economics and marketing of maize growers in Tribal area of middle Gujarat

For this study, a multi-stage sampling technique was adopted. In the first stage, Panchmahal and Dahod tribal districts were chosen purposively on the basis of maximum maize area and at the subsequent stages, talukas and villages were chosen. Finally, from each selected village, 10 maize growers were selected randomly. Thus, in all, 120 respondents were chosen for detailed study. The results put forth that the cost of cultivation (Cost C2) of maize per hectare was Rs. 22690.88. On an average, Cost A (paid out cost) formed 58.80 per cent while Cost B accounted for 74.08 per cent of total cost. Out of total cost, human labour cost ranked first, followed by rental value of own land, fertilizer, tractor charges, managerial cost, manures and cakes, seed, bullock labour etc. The average yield of maize per hectare was 27.18 quintals on sample farms which realized Rs. 39554.48, Rs. 26212.67, Rs. 22745.67 and Rs. 18926.67 as gross income, farm business income, family labour income and farm investment income, respectively. The net profit per hectare over Cost C2 was Rs. 18863.89. The major marketing channel found was producer-local merchant-consumer as more than 61.46 per cent of maize was moved through this route. Total marketing cost incurred by maize growers amounted to Rs. 10.45 per quintal on sale to local merchants and Rs. 13.45 on sale to wholesaler-cum-commission agents. The producer's share in consumer's rupee was 96.59 per cent. Further, it indicates that the price spread was low (3.40%) due to better producer's share in consumer's price in the marketing of maize in channel-I.