International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

This study examines innovative cultivation and processing practices in Palghar, Thane, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts to address these challenges. In Palghar and Thane, farmers cultivating the Wada-Kolom variety adopted mechanized techniques, including mat-type nursery, rice transplanters, harvesters, and threshers, reducing labor dependency and increasing efficiency. Post-harvest polishing enhanced market value, yielding 60% rice recovery with byproducts retained by millers. In contrast, Ratnagiri farmers relied on traditional, labor-intensive methods without processing, limiting profitability. In Sindhudurg, farmers employed milling, parboiling, and poha-making, achieving rice recovery rates of 63.15%, 67.80%, and 90. respectively. These processes improved nutritional value, storage life, and market appeal, with poha-making yielding the highest returns. Poha production emerges as the most profitable paddy cultivation practice in the Konkan region, yielding a net profit of Rs. 131,884 per hectare, driven by high-value output and strong market demand for flattened rice. Parboiling follows as the second most profitable practice, with a net profit of Rs. 94,271 per hectare, attributed to premium market prices for parboiled rice and moderate cost savings. Mechanization and processing significantly enhance profitability (Rs. 82,019 per hectare) by reducing labor dependency and increasing productivity through substantial cost savings (Rs. 49,863 per hectare).