ศูนย์นวัตกรรมเทคโนโลยีหลังการเก็บเกี่ยว

An economic analysis of breeder seed production of cowpea.

Reddy, T. N. V.; Reddy, G. P.; Reddy, B. V. C.; Siddappa, B.;

Agricultural Situation in India Year: 1990 Vol: 45 Issue: 8 Pages: 533-536 Ref: 3 ref.

1990

บทคัดย่อ

The consumption of high-protein pulses by the majority of the population in India is limited by the inadequate supply and high prices of the product. Supplies are short due to the low productivity levels of pulses which are mostly grown on marginal lands under inappropriate technological conditions. This paper assesses the economics of cowpea breeder seed production, believed to be an essential component of any yield-augmenting package. Data were collected from seed farms in Bangalore, Karnataka, where breeder seeds of the cowpea variety, C-152, are grown during the kharif season (July to August) and the summer season. Analysis is focused on the cost structure of production in terms of pre- and post-saving operations and saving periods themselves, post-harvest and harvest operations, and so on. Results show that cowpea seed production requires greater investment in the pre-sowing stages as land has to be prepared and inputs like fertilizers, applied. Non-cash costs like working capital and depreciation are next in terms of cost. With reference to employment, the post-sowing period is noted to be most labour-intensive as there is need for weeding and intercultural operations at that time. This result is contrary to postharvest findings where the least labour-absorption takes place. The paper concludes that cowpea seed production is economically more efficient in the summer season than in the kharif season in Karnataka.