International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Anmol Giri, Dawjam Bhutia and Hasrat Ali

abstract
Requirement of labour and input gradually decreases as the orchid matures in Mirik Block. In the second year, labour requirements for inter-culture operations reduce. Labour requirement of manuring remains steady. By the third year, inter-culture labour requirement drops. Labour requirement for harvesting increases due to higher yield. The fourth and fifth years see stable labour and input needs. Harvesting labour is consistent. Total expenditure in the fourth and fifth years remains stable. Similarly, in Kurseong Block, the first year also sees high labour requirements, with pot preparation and sowing. In the third year (2020-21), intercultural costs drop and irrigation costs increases. By the fourth year (2021-22), costs remain relatively stable, with labour costs for manuring decreasing. In Mirik Block of Darjeeling District over five years, production drops in the second year, while the price per pot increases. In the third year, production further declines, the gross return increases. In the fourth year, production fell slightly, but with the price per pot rising. In Kurseong Block of Darjeeling District over five years. in the 2nd year, production drops. In the 3^rd year, production further decreases. the price surges. The data shows a trend of declining production over time, while increasing prices help maintain significant gross returns across the five years.