International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development
2025, Vol. 8, Issue 7, Part F
Cost and returns from Chickpea (Gram) cultivation in the Indo-Gangetic plain of Eastern Uttar Pradesh
Ajit Kumar Singh, Rama Kant Singh and Jay Prakash Singh
The present study was conducted to analyze the cost and returns from chickpea (gram) cultivation in the Ballia district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, located in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. A multistage stratified random sampling technique was employed, covering three Tehsils: Ballia, Bairia and Bansdih with selecting 146 chickpea-growing farm holdings categorized into small (1-2 ha), medium (2-4 ha), and large (>4 ha) size groups. The data revealed that the average variable cost per hectare was highest on small farms (?25,579.32), followed by medium (?22,276.74) and large (?20,652.22) farms, with an overall average of ?22,836.09. Higher human labour and machinery costs on small farms contributed to this variation. Similarly, the fixed cost was highest on small farms (?1,441.64), and lowest on large farms (?1,010.83), bringing the overall total cost of cultivation to ?23,910.98 per hectare.
The average yield of chickpea was 17.46 quintals per hectare, with the highest productivity observed on small farms (18.35 q/ha). Gross income per hectare was also highest on medium farms (?78,142.45), followed by small (?76,656.57) and large farms (?69,132.46). The net income per hectare averaged ?50,827.04 and the input-output ratio ranged from 1:1.33 (large farms) to 1:1.58 (medium farms), indicating better resource efficiency on medium-sized farms. The farm business income (FBI) includes net income, unpaid family labour and interest on owned capital—was highest on medium farms (?57,127.52/ha) and lowest on large farms (?48,989.74/ha), primarily due to reduced family labour input. Overall, the study concludes that small and medium farms achieved higher productivity and profitability per hectare compared to large farms, although medium farms exhibited better cost efficiency and input-output performance.
Ajit Kumar Singh, Rama Kant Singh, Jay Prakash Singh. Cost and returns from Chickpea (Gram) cultivation in the Indo-Gangetic plain of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Int J Agric Extension Social Dev 2025;8(7):401-404. DOI: 10.33545/26180723.2025.v8.i7f.2156
