Economic viability and pre-and post harvest losses of tur crop in Maharashtra

The present study attempts to assess not only economic viability of Tur crop cultivation but also the extent of loses of crop during pre-harvest, harvest and post harvest operations. The study shows positive returns from Tur crop in Maharashtra only over variable cost. However, a significant and steady increase in variable cost over time has resulted in reduced profitability from this important pulse crop. Labour and insecticide costs, in particular, have grown significantly in course of time. Therefore, in order to boost cultivation of Tur crop, there is need to reduce variable cost and increase yield, aside from raising MSP for this important pulse crop. These measures will certainly raise profitability in the cultivation of Tur crop. Highly fluctuating profitability in tur crop cultivation owing to rising labour and insecticide costs is a matter of concern, especially in view of the fact that a significant proportion of total production of Tur crop is also lost during various preharvesting, harvesting and post harvesting operations. About 18 per cent of Tur crop production is lost during pre-and post harvest operations. In order to curb pre-harvest losses, there is need to provide proper guidance to the farmers on pests and disease control measures. Notably, while prices of various inputs, including weedicides, insecticide and fungicide, have grown over time, the returns are not seen to increase in tandem. There is, therefore, a need to control prices of inputs. Further, the minimization of post-harvest losses will chiefly depend upon adoption of scientific methods of various post-harvest operations, aside from improvement in marketing practices. The scientific methods of harvesting, threshing, winnowing, transportation and storage operations will certainly lead to minimization of total post-harvest losses. Development of technologies and techniques suitable for both small scale and large farmers will also reduce post-harvest losses.