A Comparative Analysis of Economics of Paddy and Vegetables in Haryana: A Case Study of Sonipat District

Abstract

A sustained economic growth, increasing per capita income and urbanization are causing a shift in the consumption pattern towards high-value crops such as vegetables, fruits and dairy products from staple food like rice and wheat. Such a shift in the consumption pattern shows the ongoing process of changes in the cropping pattern. In the present study an attempt has been made to examine the relative economics of paddy vis-à-vis vegetables by using benefit-cost ratio (BCR). The important vegetable crops competing with paddy during kharif season viz., ladyfinger, bottle gourd and tomato were selected for the in-depth analysis spreading over the district with a total sample of 160 farmers. For the purpose of collection of data, a scheduled questionnaire was structured for the farmers. All the questionnaires were filled by direct interview and personal visits to farmers. The result of the study showed that the investment in paddy as well as in vegetables is economically viable as benefit cost ratio of paddy and vegetables explain that on an average Rs. 1 investment brings more than Rs. 1 returns for the farmers but vegetables generate higher returns as compared to paddy.