Economic assessment of paddy seed production in Eastern Vidarbha Zone

Introduction

Seed is one of the most important agricultural inputs influencing crop establishment, productivity and quality of agricultural production. The availability of genetically pure, healthy and quality seed at the proper time is essential for obtaining good crop stand and higher productivity. Seed production is a systematic process of multiplication of seed under prescribed field and quality standards while maintaining genetic identity, physical purity and physiological quality. Among the major food crops, paddy (Oryza sativa L.) occupies an important position in India and plays a vital role in food security, employment and farm income. Paddy seed production is a specialized activity that involves multiplication of quality seed under suitable production conditions while maintaining varietal identity and seed quality. An efficient seed production system is therefore essential for increasing the availability of quality paddy seed and improving crop productivity. In India, paddy was cultivated over 512.70 lakh hectares with a production of 1,501.80 lakh tonnes during 2024-25. Maharashtra is also an important paddy-growing state, with about 16.82 lakh hectares under paddy cultivation and production of 40.03 lakh tonnes during the same period. The Vidarbha region, particularly Eastern Vidarbha comprising Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Gondia, is an important paddy-growing area of Maharashtra. The Maharashtra State Seeds Corporation Limited (MSSC), popularly known as Mahabeej, established in 1976, plays an important role in the production, processing, quality control, packaging and marketing of quality seeds. Bhandara, popularly known as the "Paddy Bowl of Maharashtra", is an important centre of paddy cultivation and seed production. During 2025-26, an area of 128.56 ha was under paddy seed production in Bhandara, while Chandrapur accounted for 62.68 ha. The major varieties cultivated under seed production programmes in the study area include MTU-1153, Suvarna and PDKV-Tilak. Thus, considering the importance of quality seed, paddy cultivation and organized seed production in Eastern Vidarbha, an economic analysis of paddy seed production in Bhandara and Chandrapur districts is essential to assess its profitability, resource-use efficiency and the constraints faced by seed growers.

Analytical Tools Cost and Returns Analysis

The cost and returns of paddy seed production was estimated using standard cost concepts, namely Cost The B:C ratio was estimated separately at Cost A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 and C3 to assess the profitability of paddy seed production.

Constraints Analysis

The constraints faced by paddy seed growers were analyzed using Garrett's Ranking Technique. The growers were asked to rank the identified constraints according to their importance. The ranks were converted into scores using the following formula:

(𝐑𝐢𝐣 -𝟎.𝟓) Percent Position = 100 × 𝐍𝐣

Where, Rij = Rank given to the i th constraint by the j th grower Nj = Number of constraints ranked by the j th grower

The corresponding Garrett scores were obtained for each rank and the mean score for each constraint was calculated. The constraints were then ranked according to their mean scores, with the highest mean score receiving the first rank.

Results and Discussions

Per hectare input utilization pattern of selected paddy seed growers. The degree of the management of the resources can be judged for the utilization of resources, the choice and decision-making. Besides this, it also indicates the level of technology adopted by the growers. It is necessary to know the pattern of expenditure on various inputs on per hectare basis.

Economics of paddy seed production:

The cost and returns structure per hectare of agricultural production, helps the growers in mapping adjustments in the organization and thereby secure the optimum level of production and income. Per hectare cost and returns of the paddy seed production were worked out for growers were presented in Table 3.

Constraints faced by growers in paddy seed production

Constraints are the various problems or difficulties experienced by paddy seed growers during seed production that affects their production, quality, profitability or income.

References

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