Economic impact assessment of Micro-level Agrometeorological Advisory Services (MAAS) for farm profitability: A comparative benefit-cost analysis of rice, vegetable and field crop farmers in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh

Introduction

Agriculture remains a crucial part of India's socio-economic development, supporting the livelihood and food security of a large segment of the population. Nevertheless, factors such as climate variability, increasing input costs and inefficient use of resources are progressively impacting agricultural production and the profitability of farms. The economic viability of any agricultural technology or advisory service is commonly assessed using the Benefit-Cost (B:C) ratio which measures the relationship between the gross returns obtained and the total cost incurred in crop production. The B:C ratio is a useful indicator for evaluating the financial efficiency and comparative advantage of different farming practices and technologies (Doll and Orazem (1984) [2] . Micro-level Agrometeorological Advisory Services (MAAS) based on block level forecast provide weather-based advisories tailored to local conditions, enabling farmers to make informed decisions regarding sowing, irrigation, fertilizer application, plant protection measures and harvesting operations. By integrating weather forecasts with crop management recommendations, MAAS helps farmers to optimize the use of agricultural inputs, reduce unnecessary expenditures and enhance productivity. Comparing the B:C ratio between MAAS adopters and non-adopters offers valuable insights into the program's economic effectiveness. This evaluation helps policymakers, extension agencies and researchers determine whether adopting MAAS significantly boosts farm income and resource-use efficiency. Additionally, empirical proof of MAAS adoption's profitability can foster wider acceptance and spread of advisory services within farming communities. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate and compare the Benefit-Cost (B:C) ratio of farmers adopting MAAS and non-MAAS farmers across selected crops thereby assessing the economic impact of MAAS on agricultural production and farm profitability

Materials and Methods (A) Economic Analysis of B:C ratio for Rice Farmers

The study was conducted in selected villages of Chhattisgarh namely Jhalkhamharia & Sirgidi for the period 2024-25 & 2025-26 of Mahasamund district where the Micro-level Agro-Advisory Service (MAAS) programme has been implemented under NICRA-AICRPAM project. The study area represents a predominantly rice-based farming system under diverse methods of crop establishment, including transplanting, broadcasting as well as dry seeding (Khurra Boni).

Sampling Procedure:The study was based on the 9 rice growing farmers which were categorized into two groups based on their utilization of MAAS advisories: 1. MAAS adopters 2. Non-MAAS adopters For the economic analysis of rice cultivation, detailed cost and return data were collected from representative sample farmers belonging to both categories. The selected respondents were actively engaged in rice cultivation during the study period.

Data Collection: Primary data were collected through personal interviews using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Information regarding input use, operational expenses, crop yield and returns was obtained directly from the respondents. The major cost components considered for analysis included land preparation, seed, Farmyard manure, Fertilizers, Plant protection chemicals (pesticides and herbicides), Labour, Irrigation, Harvesting, Transportation and Miscellaneous expenses. The prevailing Minimum Support Price (MSP) of paddy was considered while estimating the gross returns from rice cultivation

Economic Analysis of Benefit-Cost (B:C) Ratio of Vegetables and Other Field Crops

The present study and survey made for NICRA-AICRPAM domain villages for different crops other than rice was conducted in selected villages of Chhattisgarh namely Jhalkhamharia & Sirgidi for the period 2024-25 & 2025-26 of Mahasamund district where the Micro-level Agro-Advisory Service (MAAS) programme has been implemented.

Sampling Procedure:

The study was based on the four rice growing farmers which were categorized into two groups based on their utilization of MAAS advisories: 1. MAAS adopters 2. Non-MAAS adopters For the economic analysis of vegetables and other field crops namely wheat, groundnut, maize, bottle gourd, bitter gourd (2024-25) & turmeric, groundnut, arhar, bittergourd, urad (2025-26). Detailed cost and return data were collected from representative sample farmers belonging to both categories.

Data Collection: During the study, data pertaining to the cost of cultivation and returns from different crops namely wheat, maize, groundnut, arhar, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, turmeric and urad etc. were collected from MAAS and Non-MAAS farmers from the period 2024-25 and 2025-26. Information on various cost components, including expenditure on seed, fertilizers, plant protection chemicals, labour, irrigation, machinery and other operational inputs, was recorded on a per-acre basis.

Economic Analysis

The economics of rice production as well as vegetable and other field crops for the period 2024-25 & 2025-26 were assessed by estimating the total cost of cultivation, gross return, net return, and Benefit-Cost (B:C) ratio for both MAAS and non-MAAS farmers.

The following formulas were used The total cost of cultivation was estimated by summing all variable and fixed costs incurred in crop production.

Total Cost of Cultivation (Rs./acre) = Sum of all variable and operational costs incurred during crop production.

Gross return was calculated by multiplying the total produce obtained with the prevailing market price of the respective crop.

Gross Return (Rs./acre) = Total Paddy or vegetable/other field crops Yield (q/acre) × Market Price or MSP (Rs./q) Net return was obtained by subtracting the total cost of cultivation from the gross return Net Return (Rs./acre) = Gross Return (Rs./acre) -Total Cost of Cultivation (Rs./acre) Benefit-Cost (B:C) is calculated as the ratio of gross returns to the total cost of cultivation. A B:C ratio greater than one indicates that the enterprise is economically profitable. This concept is consistent with the principles of benefit-cost analysis described by Shively (2012) [9] . Benefit-Cost (B:C) Ratio = Gross Return/Total Cost of Cultivation B:C ratio greater than one indicates that the enterprise is economically profitable, while a higher B:C ratio reflects greater economic efficiency and better returns on investment.

Statistical Analysis:

The collected data were compiled, tabulated and analyzed using simple descriptive statistical techniques such as averages and ratios. The estimated B:C ratios of MAAS and Non-MAAS farmers were compared to assess the profitability and economic benefits associated with the adoption of Meteorological Agro Advisory Services. The study aimed to assess the impact of the MAAS programme on the profitability and economic sustainability of rice cultivation as well as vegetable and other field crops in the study area.

Results and Discussion

Economic analysis for Rice Farmers (2024-25)

The economic analysis of rice cultivation for the period 2024-25 indicated that both MAAS-adopted and Non-MAAS farmers obtained profitable returns from rice production, as shown by B:C ratios exceeding 2.5 in all cases. Among the MAAS adopters, the B:C ratio was 3.32 under broadcasting and 3.03 under transplanting methods while among Non-MAAS farmers, it was 2.86 and 2.94, respectively. The highest profitability was recorded for the MAAS farmer practicing broadcasting, with a B:C ratio of 3.32, indicating that every rupee invested generated ₹3.32 in gross returns. In the year 2024-2025, highest total cost of cultivation observed in transplanted rice ₹ 24550 acre -1 under MAAS adopters. Although the cost of cultivation was marginally higher in some MAAS cases due to machinery service charges, the resulting increase in crop productivity substantially improved farm income. MAAS adopters achieved highest paddy yield of 22-24 quintal acre-1. The superior economic performance of MAAS adopters can be attributed to timely field preparation, efficient crop establishment, reduced drudgery and improved resource-use efficiency. The present findings are in conformity with Diao et al. (2014) [1] . Researchers observed that mechanization service delivery significantly and contributes to increased farm income and profitability among smallholder farmers. Although the profitability varied across cultivation methods, MAAS adopters generally demonstrated better economic performance due to optimized input use, timely crop management and adoption of weather-based advisories. The higher net returns and favorable B:C ratios among MAAS farmers suggest that agrometeorological advisory services can contribute to improved resource-use efficiency and farm profitability. Overall, the findings highlight the economic benefits of MAAS adoption in rice cultivation and support the role of weather-informed decision-making in enhancing farmers' income and sustainability. The findings are in agreement with previous studies, which reported that farmers adopting agrometeorological advisory services achieved higher profitability, improved resource-use efficiency and better benefit-cost ratios through timely weather-based farm management decisions ( [6,8,3] .

Economic analysis for Vegetables and Other Field Crops (year 2024-25)

The economic advantage of MAAS adoption was also evident in different crops in the year 2024-2025. Among the crops evaluated, highest B:C ratio was observed in Bitter gourd 3.9 followed by wheat 3.78 whereas under non-MAAS adopters highest B:C ratio was observed in wheat crop (2.73). The B:C ratio ranged from 1.91 to 4.43 among MAAS farmers, whereas it varied from 1.70 to 3.32 among Non-MAAS farmers (Table -2). These findings are supported by Pingali et al. (2019) [7] , who reported that mechanization enhances productivity and profitability in diversified farming systems. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2022) [4] also emphasized that mechanization service models improve access to modern agricultural technologies and contribute significantly to increased farm income especially among smallholder farmers. The economic analysis of wheat, groundnut, maize, bottle gourd and bitter gourd cultivation for the period 2024-25 revealed that both MAAS and Non-MAAS farmers achieved positive economic returns, as indicated by B:C ratio greater than one for all crops. However, MAAS adopters consistently recorded higher B:C ratios than Non-MAAS farmers, demonstrating the economic advantage of utilizing weather-based agrometeorological advisory services. Among MAAS farmers, the B:C ratio ranged from 1.91 in bottle gourd to 3.90 in bitter gourd, whereas among Non-MAAS farmers it ranged from 1.70 (bottlegourd) to 2.73 (wheat). The highest profitability was observed in bitter gourd cultivation, where MAAS farmers achieved a B:C ratio of 3.90 compared to 2.34 among Non-MAAS farmers. Similarly, wheat (3.78 vs. 2.73) and groundnut (3.37 vs. 2.70) exhibited substantially higher returns among MAAS adopters. Although bottle gourd cultivation involved higher production costs, MAAS farmers still obtained better economic efficiency (B:C ratio of 1.91) than Non-MAAS farmers (1.70). Overall, the results indicate that adoption of MAAS contributes to improved profitability and resource-use efficiency across different crops by enabling farmers to make timely and informed management decisions regarding sowing, irrigation, fertilizer application and plant protection measures. The consistently higher B:C ratios among MAAS farmers highlight the positive role of agrometeorological advisory services in enhancing farm income and promoting sustainable agricultural production. ) was observed in transplanted rice cultivated by a MAAS adopter (Lokesh Kumar), followed by another MAAS farmer (Gajanand Dhruw) with a B:C ratio of 3.01. The higher profitability was primarily attributed to reduced land preparation and labour costs resulting in greater net profits. MAAS adopted farmers total cost of cultivation is lowest for Shri Chain Singh (₹ 20400 acre⁻¹) but obtained lowest total paddy yield (18 quintal acre⁻¹) whereas highest total cost of cultivation is (₹ 21600 acre⁻¹) of Gajanand Dhruw and highest total paddy yield obtained is 22 quintal acre⁻¹ by Lokesh Kumar. Consequently, MAAS adopters obtained higher gross income (₹68,200 acre⁻¹) and net profit (₹46,800 acre⁻¹) than non-MAAS farmers. These results are in agreement with the findings of Sims and Kienzle (2017) [10] . Researchers reported that farm mechanization improves operational efficiency and profitability by reducing labour requirements and ensuring timely agricultural operations. Maini and Rathore (2011) [6] also reported that farmers following agrometeorological advisories achieved 10-15% higher yields and 2-5% lower cultivation costs than non-users. Among the respondents, the highest B:C ratio ( [5,8,11] . Therefore, promotion and wider dissemination of MAAS-based agricultural advisories and technologies can play a significant role in enhancing the economic sustainability and profitability of rice cultivation. Strengthening farmers' access to weather-based agro-advisories, scientific crop management practices and extension services may further improve agricultural productivity and income generation in the study area. [7] , who highlighted that mechanization services significantly improve farm profitability and resource-use efficiency in developing countries.

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