Economic analysis of drill Paddy based cropping patterns in Bhandara district

Introduction

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important cereal crops and a major staple food crop in India. India is one of the major rice-producing country of the world, with West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana being among the important riceproducing states. Maharashtra is an important rice-growing state, particularly in the Vidarbha and Konkan regions. Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gondia and Gadchiroli are the major paddygrowing districts of Vidarbha. During 2024-25, Maharashtra had about 1,520 thousand hectares under paddy cultivation with a production of 3,975 thousand tonnes and productivity of 2,615 kg per hectare. Bhandara district is an important paddy-growing district of eastern Vidarbha, where paddy constitutes a major crop. The traditional transplanted method of paddy cultivation requires higher labour, water and cultivation costs. Drill sowing or direct-seeded rice has gained importance as it can reduce labour requirement, save irrigation water and lower cultivation costs. However, the profitability of drill paddy cultivation also depends on the choice of succeeding rabi crop. Different drill paddy based cropping patterns involve varying levels of input use, costs and returns. Hence, the present study was undertaken to work out the economics of different drill paddy based cropping patterns in Bhandara district of Maharashtra. The present study has undertaken with following specific objectives: Objectives 1. To identify the existing drill paddy based cropping patterns. 2. To work out the economics of different drill paddy based cropping patterns. 3. To identify constraints faced by the farmers in drill paddy production.

Methodology

The study was conducted for Bhandara district of Maharashtra. The district was selected because of the importance of paddy cultivation and the prevalence of drill paddy based cropping patterns. Three tehsils, namely Bhandara, Sakoli and Lakhani, were selected for the study. Two villages were selected from each tehsil, making a total of six villages. From each selected village, 20 farmers were selected randomly, resulting in a total sample of 120 farmers. Primary data were collected during the agricultural year 2025-26 through personal interview method using a specially designed schedules.

Analytical tools Identification of drill paddy based cropping patterns

Drill paddy based cropping patterns were identified by conducting special survey and discussion with the farmers. Three major cropping patterns were identified.

Constraints faced by the farmers in drill paddy production

The constraints faced by the farmers in drill paddy production was studied by percentage analysis.

Results and Discussion Existing drill paddy based cropping patterns

The study identified three major drill paddy based cropping patterns in the selected area, namely drill paddy + gram, drill paddy + linseed and drill paddy + lathyrus. Table 1 revealed that drill paddy + gram was the most widely adopted cropping pattern, followed by drill paddy + linseed and drill paddy + lathyrus. Out of the 120 selected farmers, 55 farmers followed drill paddy + gram, accounting for 45.84 per cent of the total farmers. Drill paddy + linseed was followed by 40 farmers 33.33 per cent, whereas 25 farmers 20.83 per cent followed drill paddy + lathyrus. The predominance of drill paddy + gram indicates the greater preference of farmers for gram as the succeeding rabi crop under the prevailing conditions of the study area. Linseed and lathyrus were the other important rabi crops grown after drill paddy. The identification of these cropping patterns provided the basis for their subsequent economic comparison.

Economics of different drill paddy based cropping patterns

The comparative economics of the identified drill paddy based cropping patterns were assessed in terms of yield, gross returns, cost of cultivation, net returns and outputinput ratio. hectare were obtained under drill paddy + gram. 5. The output input ratio was also highest under drill paddy + gram 1.58, indicating its better economic performance. 6. Overall, drill paddy + gram was found to be the most profitable cropping pattern among the three patterns followed by the selected farmers. 7. The major constraints faced by farmers in drill paddy cultivation were non-availability of drill paddy machines at the proper time of sowing 81.82 per cent, lack of subsidy 72.73 per cent, weed infestation 67.27 per cent and high cost of drill paddy machines 61.82 per cent reported by the selected farmers.

Constraints faced by farmers in drill paddy production

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