Maize Cultivation in Karnataka-A study of its profitability across farm size groups

The present study aimed to study the cost of and returns from maize cultivation to know its profitability across the farm size groups in the state of Karnataka. The primary data were collected for the year 2017 (kharif) by personally interviewing 160 sample farmers. CACP concept was used in the study. The results revealed that the net returns per hectare over Cost C3 are negative in all the farm size groups and indicating that the farmers are not getting remunerative price. Comparatively less loss borne by large farmers. On overall basis, per quintal cost of production of main product at Cost C3 for Karnataka has found to be Rs. 1478, which is higher than the announced MSP (Rs. 1425). The yield and returns from maize cultivation are found to be directly associated with size of holding indicating that marginal maize growers are more economically deprived off, when compared to other farm size groups in terms of returns. It is observed from the study that there is a difference of Rs. 169 (overall farm group) between net price received by farmers in sale of main product at villages or mandis and MSP thereof. There is a need of creating awareness among the farmers in case of crop insurance to mitigate drought, about MSP to increase bargaining power, regarding co-operative benefits to save cost in marketing and other farm works and use of high quality seeds along with other developed techniques in increasing productivity of maize.