Visit us - www.researchjournal.co.in DOI : 10.15740/HAS/IRJAES/10.2/201-209 International Research Journal of Agricultural Economics and Statistics Volume 10 | Issue 2 | September, 2019 | 201-209 ISSN-2229-7278

Research Paper Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) production in district ofTamil Nadu – An economic analysis

A. Sundar and R. Gangai Selvi

See end of the paper for ABSTRACT : The present study focussed on economics of production of Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) authors’ affiliations in of . The main objectives of the study were to know the status of lime Correspondence to : cultivation in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, state wise and country wise in India, to estimate the A. Sundar economics of lime production in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu and to study the constraints in Department of Social Sciences, Agricultural production of lime and suggest suitable policy measures to overcome this problem in lime cultivation. College and Research Tamil Nadu is the universe of the study. Multistage random sampling method was used viz., state, Institute, Tamil Nadu district, Block, Villages and sample farmers. Tirunelveli district was purposively selected in proportion Agricultural University, to the area under this crop. In this district, was selected and lime growing Killikulam, Vallanadu, Thoothukudi (T.N.) India villages selected based on the area proportion under this crop. A total sample size was 90 lime growers. Email : sundar131078 The results were analysed by using percentage analysis and statistical analysis. As far as the status @gmail.com of the lime crop in India is concerned, there was an increasing trend observed in area and production from 2011-12 to 2017-18 by 15 per cent and 60 per cent, respectively whereas in Tamil Nadu, area was increased by 6.19 per cent and production by 40.51 per cent, respectively. Total cost of establishing lime orchard in the study area was estimated to be Rs. 97,701.30 per hectare. As regards the components of the cost, the establishment cost of men and women labour formed the single major cost items (42 %) followed by manuring cost, seedling cost, fencing cost, machine power charges, interest on land value, plant protection cost sharing 15 per cent, 12 per cent, 9 per cent, 9 per cent, 4 per cent and 4 per cent respectively. Thus, annual share of establishment cost was arrived to be Rs. 4,885.06. On an average the total cost per hectare for maintenance of lime crop was estimated to be Rs.91,902.60. Under maintenance cost, total operational cost and fixed cost were worked out to be Rs.83,402.90 (90.75 % of the total maintenance cost) and Rs. 8,500 (9.25 % of the total maintenance cost), respectively. The total cost of cultivation was calculated to be Rs.96,787.96 in which annual maintenance cost was estimated to be Rs. 91,901.90 and annual share of establishment cost was estimated to be Rs.4,885.06, respectively. The total cost of cultivation of lime crop per hectare was estimated to be Rs.96,787.96 in which annual maintenance cost was estimated to be Rs.91,902.90 annual share of establishment cost was calculated to be Rs.4885.06, respectively. On an average, lime crop was yielded 60 quintal per hectare per year in the study area. Aaverage market rate (Rs.80/kg) was taken as a unit price of the product and it was estimated to be Rs.8,000 per quintal. The gross return per hectare was calculated to be Rs. 4,80,000 and average net return over all cost of cultivation to be Rs. 3,83,212 per hectare per

HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE A. Sundar and R. Gangai Selvi

year after gestation period. In sum, net return from the lime cultivation was worked out to be Rs. 6,387 per quintal and it was estimated to be Rs.63.87 per kg of the lime fruits. The major problems felt by lime growers in the study area were price fluctuation in the market price, followed by weed infestation, pest and disease attack, labour shortage and death of young seedlings during earlier period of the lime production. KEY WORDS : Lime (Citrus aurantifolia), Establishment cost, Maintenance cost, Profitability, Net return

Paper History : Received : 01.07.2019; HOW TO CITE THIS PAPER : Sundar, A. and Selvi, R. Gangai (2019). Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) production in Revised : 04.07.2019; Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu – An economic analysis. Internat. Res. J. Agric. Eco. & Stat., 10 (2) : 201-209, Accepted : 06.08.2019 DOI : 10.15740/HAS/IRJAES/10.2/201-209. Copyright@ 2019: Hind Agri-Horticultural Society.

INTRODUCTION : crops next to mango and banana. Fruits of the lime family are among the most widely grown fruits of the world. India is known for its wide variability of climate and Through, Lime is mainly a subtropical crop it is found ability of soil to produces a large range of agricultural growing in the tropic zones and also in some parts of the crops such as food grains, horticultural crops and fodder temperate zone. Lime fruits have many merits, those are crops. The horticulture sector covers a wide range of available throughout the year and are not only delicious crops such as fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, and refreshing to eat but also provide vitamin C, minerals flowers and aromatic and medicinal plants, spices and and many other essential substances. Lime being acidic plantation crops, which facilitate diversification in are not generally consumed as fresh but are mostly used agriculture. There is a realization that growing horticulture for flavouring vegetable dishes, fish, meat and salads. crops is now an option to improve livelihood security, Limes are mainly used in the preparation of pickle, citric enhance employment generation, attain food and acid, citrate of lime and cosmetic. nutritional security and increase income through value Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) belong to the family addition. Rutaceae. As per the NABARD report on Lime In India, the important fruits grown are mango, cultivation, it is native to a larger area, which extends banana, lime, apple, guava, pineapple, grapes and sapota. from India to China, Philippines, Burma, Thailand, The production of fruits and vegetables is a vital Indonesia, Nigeria, Colombia, Guinea and Saudi Arabia. importance as it provides three to four times more cash Lime is the third largest fruit cultivated area under income than cereals per unit of land. Fruits and vegetables cultivation in India. The Kagzi nimboo or Kagzi lime or are the prime sources of Vitamins and Minerals without sour lime grows in all parts of India free from the hazards which human body cannot maintain proper health. Now- of frost. There are some popular species of lime group a-days, fruits are used in diet and supplementary food to known as lime (Lime aurantifolia), sweet orange (Lime maintain good health. Indian Council of Medical Research sinensis), mandarin (Lime reticulata). (ICMR), New Delhi and National Institute of Nutrition Also, citrus are successfully grown in Andhra (NIN), Hyderabad have recommended the consumption Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, of at least 120 g of fruits per head per day. On the Uttarkhand, Bihar, Assam, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, contrary, per capita fruit consumption in India is only 46 and other states. Those are the most common fruits in grams per day. There is a wide gap between the use and India and become more popular because of their requirement of fruits in general. Realizing the demand of availability almost throughout the year at moderate horticultural crops, many farmers are directing their prices. Lime is an important cash crop as well as resources towards fruit crops production in India. Fruits employment providing crop in Tamil Nadu. As the are grown over an area of 9.76 million hectare with a orchard crop require high initial investment, have long production of 37.74 million tonnes during 2017-18 (Indian gestation period, long term income flow and inelastic Horticultural Database, 2018). supply due to perennial nature, entail high risk in Lime occupies very important place among the fruit production as well as marketing.

Internat. Res. J. Agric. Eco.& Stat., 10 (2) Sept., 2019 : 201-209 202 HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE Lime production in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

Status of Lime in India and Tamil Nadu: which is having highest area under lime production about As far as India is concerned, lime occupies an area 1.908 in million ha during 2011 while production during of 976 million ha and the production of 11,717 million this year was about 4.813 million tonnes. During the year tonnes during 2017-18 (Indian Horticultural Database, 2017-18, area under this crop was 2.788 and production 2018). Andra Pradesh stands first place in area under was 7.695 million tonnes in Tamil Nadu and its has shown lime crop followed by Maharashtra, Gujarat and increasing trend during 2017-18 as compare to 2011-18 Karnataka, respectively. Tamil Nadu ranks seventh by 46.12 per cent in area and 59.88 per cent in production position in area under this crop. Area and production of due to introduction of several new schemes such as lime in India and Tamil Nadu is given in the Table A . In National Horticulture Mission (NHM) by the Horticulture India, area under this lemon crop increased by 15.37 per department of Tirunelveli district. cent and 56.98 per cent in production. In case of Tamil Nadu, there is a growth trend observed in area under Major blocks under lime production in Tirunelveli this crop by 6.19 per cent for the period between 2011 to district : 2018 whereas production increased by 40 per cent under In Tirunelveli district, major blocks under lime this crop during the same period. As far as Tamil Nadu is cultivation is given in the Table C indicates that concerned, there is an increasing trend in lime production Vasudevanallur block was estimated to be a first position observed and it is about 6.19 per cent in area and 40.51 in area as well as production under this crop with 51 per per cent in production, respectively. cent to the total production followed by Sankaran kovil block (10.70%) and Kadayam block (8.58%) of Status of lime cultivation in Tirunelveli district of Tirunelveli district. Kadayanallur and Kuruvikulam block Tamil Nadu: has shared only 6 per cent under this crop with a In Table B Tamil Nadu is one of the important state production of 6.3 per cent of the total production of this

Table A : Area and production of lime in India and Tamil Nadu India Tamil Nadu Year Production Area in million ha Production in million tonnes Area in million ha in million tonnes 2011-2012 846 7464 8.146 20.551 2012-2013 915 7922 7.964 20.569 2013-2014 1042 10090 7.767 23.190 2014-2015 1078 11147 7.409 20.658 2015-2016 923 11742 8.342 22.140 2016-2017 985 11419 8.456 26.658 2017-2018 976 11717 8.650 28.876 Percentage difference between 15.37 56.98 6.19 40.51 2011-12 and 2017-18 (%) Source: National Horticultural Board data base, 2018

Table B : Area and production of lime in Tirunelveli district Year Area in million ha Production in million tonnes 2011-2012 1.908 4.813 2012-2013 1.920 4.910 2013-2014 1.969 5.879 2014-2015 2.004 5.589 2015-2016 1.918 5.806 2016-2017 2.005 5.789 2017-2018 2.788 7.695 % difference between 2011 and 2018 46.12 59.88 Source: Directorate of Horticulture, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, 2019

Internat. Res. J. Agric. Eco.& Stat., 10 (2) Sept., 2019 : 201-209 HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE 203 A. Sundar and R. Gangai Selvi

Table C : Area and production of various blocks in Tirunelveli district (2017-18) Block Area (in ha) % to the total Production (in‘000 tonnes ) % to the total Alangulam 107.32 3.85 296.2 3.85 Kadayam 239.2 8.58 60.2 0.78 Kadayanallur 176.04 6.30 485.87 6.31 Kuruvikulam 172.25 6.19 475.42 6.18 Sankarankovil 298.18 10.70 822.97 10.69 Vasudevanallur 1428.59 51.25 3942.9 51.24 Others 366.42 13.14 1611.44 20.94 Total 2788 100.00 7695 100.00 Source: Joint Director of Horticulture, Tirunelveli District, 2019

crop followed by (3.85%). This indicates there was number of farmers selected based on the area that Vasudevanallur block was very favourable and under this crop. Total sample size was 90 lime growers. suitable to the lime cultivation in Tirunelveli district. To conduct the study, both primary and secondary data were collected. Primary data were collected from lime Objectives of the study: growers on pre-structured and pre-tested schedule. The – To analyze the cost and returns of lime production. objectives of the study were explained thoroughly to the – To estimate the profitability of lime cultivation and respondents and data collected by using the pre tested – To study the constraints faced by the lime growers schedule. After preparing schedule, actual field work was in the study area. started and data were collected from selected growers through personal interview. It has ensured the supply of reliable data without any personal and social biases. The MATERIALS AND METHODS : data were collected during 2018-19 academic year and the project results was discussed and submitted for the Sample selection and data collection: Tirunelveli distirct was selected purposively due to completion of under graduated programme by the students area proportion under this crop in Tamil Nadu given in under my supervision. Table C. Vasudevanallur block of this district was notified major share in the area under this crop in this district, Analysis of data: Computational procedure for input costs: Thus, Vasudevanallur block was selected. Thus, four villages namely Puliyangudi (Lime city of India), The concepts and definitions of economic variables Thenmalai, Sindhamani, Nezhkatumseval were selected used in the study are discussed in this section. The value of purchased inputs was recorded as for this study due to area proportion under this crop in to the total district area total (Table D). In each villages, reported by the farmers with due verification. Some of the inputs used in the production process came from family sources. The procedures adopted for deriving imputed Table D: Selected villages in Vasudevanallur Block of Tirunelveli value of these inputs are as under: district Sr. No. Villages selected Area (in Ha) – The value of family labour was worked out at the 1. Melapuliangudi 439.57 wage rate prevailing for different agricultural operations in the selected villages. 2. Thenmalai 155.49 – None of the growers utilized bullock labour in 3. Chindhamani 116.00 cultivation of the Lime. Therefore, it was not reckoned 4. Nelkattumseval 112.66 in the present study. The cost of tractor charges was 5. Vasudevanallur 52.72 considered at the market rate custom hire charges. 6. Naranapuram 80.75 – The values of farm produced manure were 7. Others 471.4 computed at the rates prevailing in concerned villages. Total 1428.59 – The cost of irrigation and owned machinery Source: Department of Horticulture, Vasudevanallur Block, Tirunelveli district, 2019 charges were considered at the market rate custom

Internat. Res. J. Agric. Eco.& Stat., 10 (2) Sept., 2019 : 201-209 204 HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE Lime production in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu services. leased in land, rent for owned land, interest on fixed – The kind payments were evaluated at prices investment taxes and insurance. Moreover, the value of prevailing in the villages at the time of that operationdone. family labour, owned bullocks employed in the farm are – Interest on working capital was charged at the to be calculated by taking into account the current market rate of 12 per cent per annum, according to life period of wages paid for hired in labour and the bullock pairs and the orchard. this has to be added to the cost of cultivation. – Interest on fixed capital was charged at the rate The establishment cost for a crop thus, calculated of 10 per cent per annum. should be apportioned or spread over the entire life period – Rental value of farmers owned land was charged of the perennial crop leaving the establishment period. at the rate prevailing in the villages in the season. This will be done by dividing the establishment cost by the remaining life period after the establishment period. Cost concepts: The apportioned year wise establishment cost is called Cost of cultivation of perennial crops: as the annual share of establishment cost. The methodology for estimating the cost of Annual share of establishment cost is worked out cultivation or production for annual crops and seasonal based on the formula given below: crops are different from the perennial crops like Annual share of the Total establishment cost establishment cost  plantations, fruits, spices and condiments. This is because (Life period - Establishment period) of the perennial crops are in the field for a number of Total working capital is calculated by the sum total years and the yielding pattern of such crops are entirely of annual maintenance cost that includes Land revenue, different from annual crops. The perennial crops have a Manures, Chemicals, Irrigation Charge and Human distinct establishment period of 2-5 years where there is labour. Then, interest on working capital at12 per cent no production. After the establishment period the crops for 6 months is to be calculated. Total cash expenses is start to yield. The yield will be less during the initial years to be calculated by sum of total working capital and and after that it gets stabilised and the yield will diminish interest on working capital at 12 per cent for 6 months. in the later years of crop life period. Returns: Establishment cost: Gross return (GR)= Quantity of product (QP)x Product price (PP) The capital cost and variable cost during the where, price of product was taken as the actual establishment period (from the date of starting the price at which the produce was sold by the lime growers. plantation till the date of first bearing) has to be worked Return over variable cost is to be estimated by out separately and categorized as establishment cost. The subtracting gross returns and total cash expenses. establishment cost includes the capital investment like Total cost of cultivation = Total annual manitenance cost + land clearing, digging pits, fencing establishing shade trees, Annual share of establishment cost cost of seedlings or grafts and interest on the value of Return over all cost = Gross return- Total cost of cultivation land and variable costs like cost of fertilizer application, plant protection, irrigation and the hiring charges for Economics of lime production: tractors, supervision, wages paid to the labour and land Cost and returns of farm enterprise gives profitability revenue. of that enterprise. The perennial horticultural crops varied from field crops in terms of its investment pattern, Maintenance cost: payback period and risk involved. Here, an attempt has After the establishment period, the year to year been made to make an inquiry into the various costs maintenance cost of the plantation has to be worked out involved, returns obtained and its economic viability. and classified as annual maintenance cost. The annual maintenance cost includes the current expenses on RESULTSAND DATA ANALYSIS : fertilizers, plant protection chemicals, irrigation and the wages paid for spraying chemicals, earthing-up, fertilizer The results obtained from the present investigation application, pruning and other charges for supervision. as well as relevant discussion have been summarized It also includes the fixed costs like depreciation, rent for under following heads:

Internat. Res. J. Agric. Eco.& Stat., 10 (2) Sept., 2019 : 201-209 HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE 205 A. Sundar and R. Gangai Selvi

This chapter has been divided into following two establishment cost followed by manuring cost includes sections: organic such as FYM, cattle dung, sheep and goat dung Investment analysis under lime cultivation in etc. and inorganic manures such as urea, phosphate farmer’s field, economic viability of lime cultivation in fertilizers etc., (15% of the total) and seedlings cost (12% the study area. of the total). Fencing was the important component in developing lime orchard to safeguard the crop from animals The cost incurred on lime cultivation have been and it was accounted for Rs. 8,600 (9% of the total) and classified into following two cost concepts: interest on land value was estimated for Rs. 4,000 per Establishment cost: hectare (4% of the total establishment cost) followed by Lime growers had to invest considerable amount plant protection charges were estimated to be Rs. 3500 on the establishment of lime crop in the initial years till with four per cent of the total establishment cost. they reached the first harvesting. During this period, In sum, it may be concluded that total cost of initially five to seven years are commonly required. This establishing lime orchard in the study area was estimated period is known as gestation period. The investment made to be Rs. 97,701.03 per hectare. As regards the by the growers in establishing the crop right from the pre components of the cost, the cost of men and women planting stage to the first cutting is termed as establishment labour formed the single major cost items (42 %) followed cost. The cost of establishment of lime crop was estimated by manuring cost, seedling cost, fencing cost, machine by aggregating the cost items like land preparation, cost power charges, interest on land value and plant protection of seedlings, planting cost, manuring cost, plant protection cost contributed 15 per cent, 12 per cent, 9 per cent, 9 charges, irrigation charges with labour charges for men per cent, 4 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively. Thus, and women etc. Then annual share of establishment cost annual share of establishment cost was arrived for Rs. was worked out by dividing the total establishment cost 4,885.06 from total establishment cost divided by the and total economic life period of the crop minus gestation remaining life period after the establishment period. period of the lime crop. The Table 1 reveals that total establishment cost Cost of cultivation and cost of production for lime was found to be Rs. 97,701 per hectare. Of the total per hectare (Rs./ ha/ yr): establishment cost, men and women labour cost was Maintenenc cost : accounted for Rs. 41,000 per hectare (42 % of the total) Table 2 inferred that, on an average, the total cost

Table 1 : Establishment cost of lime cultivation Sr. No. Particulars Physical units Value in Rs. % to total Establishment cost 1. Fencing 8600.00 12.28 2. Seed/Seedlings 400 seedlings 12000.00 15.35 3. Manures 20 qtl 15000.50 3.58 4. Plant protection - 3500.80 2.05 5. Irrigation charges - 2000.00 9.21 6. Machine power (Hired) - 9000.00 7. Human labour 32.75 Men 80 32000.00 9.21 Women 45 9000.00 4.09 8. Interest on land value - 4000.00 9. Family labour 2.05 Men 5 2000.00 0.61 Women 3 600.00 100.00 Total establishment cost 97,701.30 8.80 97701.30 Annual share of the establishment cost = = Rs. 4885.06 (25- 5)

Internat. Res. J. Agric. Eco.& Stat., 10 (2) Sept., 2019 : 201-209 206 HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE Lime production in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu per hectare for maintence of lime crop was estimated to contributed major share (36.58 % of the total working be Rs. 91,902.90. Under maintenance cost, total capital) by men and it was Rs. 18,000 and women was operational cost and fixed cost were worked out to be conributed by Rs.12,000 (24.38 % of total working Rs. 83,402.90 (90.75 % of the total maintenance cost) capital). Second important component was cost of and Rs. 8,500 (9.25 % of the total maintenance cost), manuring and it was estimated to be Rs.15,000 (30.49 % respectively. of the total working capital) of the maintence cost Of the total operating cost, total cash expenses was followed by cost of plant protection chemicals used for worked out to be Rs.52,152.90 (62.54 % of the total lime cultivation. operating cost), family labour (Men and Women) expenses were accounted to be Rs. 24,000 with 30 Economics of lime cultivation: percentage of the total operating cost and machine labour Economics of lime cultivation in the study area were was estimated to be Rs. 6,250 (7.5 % of the total operating discussed in Table 3. The total cost of cultivation of lime cost), respectively. Of the total fixed cost, depreciation crop per hectare was estimated to be Rs. 96,787.96 in of farm assets was estimated to be Rs. 6,000 and interest which annual maintence cost was estimated to be Rs. on fixed investment at 10 per cent was estimeated to be 91,902.90 annual share of establishment cost was Rs. 2,500, respectively. calculated to be Rs. 4,885.06, respectively. On an average, As far as inputwise is concerned in the total cash lime crop was yielded 60 quintal per year in the study expenses of the total maintence cost, total working capital area after establishment period and then it will be was worked out to be Rs. 49,200.90 and it was added increased and it will be sustained over the years. Thus, with an interest on working capital at the rate of 12 per yield was estimated to be 60 quintal generally to arrive cent for six months was estimated to be Rs. 2,952 for gross return. Average market rate (Rs. 80/kg) was taken arriving total cash expenses of the operating cost . Among as a unit price of the product and it was estimated to be the total working capital, cost of human labour was Rs. 8,000 per quintal based on price data collected from

Table 2 : Maintenance cost of lime production (Rs./ha/year) Sr. No. Particulars Physical units Value in Rs. % to total Annual maintenance cost 1. Land revenue 200.50 (0.41) 2. Cost of manures (qtls) 15 15,000.00 (30.49) 3. Cost of chemicals - 3,000.40 (6.10) 4. Irrigation charges - 1,000.00 (2.03) 5. Human labour (Hired) Men 45 18,000.00 (36.58) Women 60 12,000.00 (24.39) 6. Total working capital 49,200.90 (100.00) 7. Interest on working capital @12% for 6 months - 2,952.00 8. Total cash expenses - 52,152.90 [62.54] 9. Family labour Men 40 16,000.00 [19.18] Women 45 9,000.00 [10.79] 10. Machine powers in hrs (Own) 5 6,250.00 [7.49] 11. Total operating cost (8+ 9+10) 83,402.90 {90.75} 12. Depreciation of farm assets 6,000.00 13. Interest on fixed investment @ 10 % 2,500.00 14. Total fixed cost 8,500.00 {9.25} 15. Total annual maintenance cost (11+14) 91,902.90 {100.00} 16. Annual share of establishment cost 4,885.06

Internat. Res. J. Agric. Eco.& Stat., 10 (2) Sept., 2019 : 201-209 HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE 207 A. Sundar and R. Gangai Selvi

Puliankudii market and ottanchatram market of Tamil to suitable soil type and moisture condition of the soil and Nadu. The gross return per hectare was calculated to be weeding would be a major problem and cost expensive Rs. 4,80,000 and average net return over all cost of and it will be added labour cost in the cost of cultivation cultivation was about to be Rs. 3,83,212 per hectare per of the crop. Plant protection was the third problem year after gestation period. In sum, net return from the encountered by the growers due to pest and disease attack lime cultivation was worked out to be Rs. 6,386.87 per in the critical stages of the crop. Next important problem quintal and it was estimated to be Rs. 63.87 per kg of the was labour shortage for doing skilled work due to lime fruits. implementation of MGNREGS programme and minimum wage rate was given to the followed by death of young Problems faced by lime growers: seedlings during earlier period was addressed as a problem The problems of lime growers were identified by the growers in the study area. through open-ended questions and based on the frequency and percentage of the respondents, weightiness of Conclusion : problems was assessed and ranking was done and it was As far as the status of the lime crop in India is given in the Table 4. concerned, there was a increasing trend observed in area The major problems felt by lime growers in the study and production from 2011-12 to 2017-18 by 15 per cent area were price fluctuation in the market price ranked and 60 per cent, respectively where as in Tamil Nadu, first problem by the growers because of there was a area was increased by 6.19 per cent and production by vast variation in prices observed in the study area between 40.51 per cent, respectively. field and market. Besides there was a huge price hike in Total cost of establishing lime orchard in the study summer season and fall in price in the winter season area was estimated to be Rs. 97,701 per hectare. As observed in the study area. Thus, we were estimated regards the components of the cost, the cost of men and average market price (Rs. 80 per kg) to calculate the women labour formed the single major cost items (42 economics of lime cultivation per hectare. The second %) followed by manuring cost, seedling cost, fencing cost, important problem was weed infestation in the field due machine power charges, interest on land value and plant

Table 3 : Cost and returns of lime cultivation (Rs./ha/year) Sr. No. Particulars Value in Rs. Cost of cultivation of lime production 1. Total annual maintenance cost (11+14) 91,902.90 2. Annual share of establishment cost 4,885.06 3. Total cost of cultivation 96,787.96 Return from lime production 1. Yield (qtls) 60 quintals 2. Cost of production in Rs./qtl 1613.13 3. Cost of production in Rs./kg 16.13 4. Unit price (Rs./qtl) 8000 5. Gross return (Rs.) 4,80,000.00 6. Return over all cost (Rs./ha/year ) 3,83,212.04 7. Net return per unit (Rs./qtl) 6386.87 8. Net return per unit (Rs./kg ) 63.87

Table 4 : Problems faced by lime growers Sr.No. Problems Mean score Rank 1. Price fluctuation in the market 63.6 I 2. High intensity of weed infestation 53.0 II 3. Pest and disease attack 49.5 III 4. Labour shortage 43.8 IV 5. Failure of plants at young stage 39.6 V

Internat. Res. J. Agric. Eco.& Stat., 10 (2) Sept., 2019 : 201-209 208 HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE Lime production in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu protection cost sharing 15 per cent, 12 per cent, 9 per Similar work related the the present investigation cent, 9 per cent, 4 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively. was also carried out by Choudhary et al. (2017) and Thus, annual share of establishment cost was arrived to Christian (2012). be Rs. 4,885. On an average the total cost per hectare for Authors’ affiliations: R. Gangai Selvi, Department of Social Sciences, Agricultural College maintenance of lime crop was estimated to be Rs. and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Killikulam, 91,902.90. Under maintenance cost, total operational cost Vallanadu, Thoothukudi (T.N.) India (Email: [email protected]) and fixed cost were worked out to be Rs. 83,402.90 (90.75 % of the total maintenance cost) and Rs. 8,500 (9.25 % LITERATURECITED : of the total maintenance cost), respectively. The total cost of cultivation was calculated to be Rs. 96,787.96 in Choudhary, Raju, Kumar, Pradeep and Vishnoi, Sushila (2017). which annual maintenance cost was estimated to be Rs. To study the cost of cultivation of Aloe-vera crop on the 91,902 and annual share of establishment cost was college farm v/s farmers’ fields.Internat. Res. J. Agric. Eco. & Stat., 8 (2) : 196-206, DOI : 10.15740/HAS/IRJAES/ estimated to be Rs. 4885.06, respectively. The total cost 8.2/196-206. of cultivation of lime crop per hectare was estimated to be Rs. 96,787.96 in which annual maintence cost was Christian, Richardsan Ramanbhai (2012). Thesis, Economic estimated to be Rs. 91,902.90 annual share of appraisal of investment on lime (Citrus aurantifolia), Department of Agricultural Economics, B.A.College of establishment cost was calculated to be Rs. 4885.06, agriculture, Anand agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat respectively. (India). On an average, lime crop was yielded 60 quintal per hectare per year in the study area average market Data base of Department of Horticulture, Vasudevanallur block, rate (Rs. 80/kg) was taken as a unit price of the product Tirunelveli district. and it was estimated to be Rs.8000 per quintal. The gross Gittinger, J.P. (1982). Economic analysis of agricultural return per hectare was calculated to be Rs. 4,80,000 and projects, John Hopkins University Press, Baltmore. pp. average net return over all cost of cultivation was about 361. to be Rs. 3,83,212 per hectare per year after gestation Indian Council of Medical Research data base, New Delhi, period. In sum, net return from the lime cultivation was India. worked out to be Rs. 6,386.87 per quintal and it was Joint Directore of Horticulture, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. estimated to be Rs. 63.87 per kg of the lime fruits. The major problems felt by lime growers in the study National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) data base, Hyderabad. area were price fluctuation in the market price ranked Shiyani, R.L., Visawadia, H.R., Dhandhalya, M.G., Popat, A.L., first problem followed by weed infestation, pest and Parmar, K.K. and Kotadiya, V.H. (2008). Profitability and disease attack, labour shortage and death of young financial viability of sapota orchard in Saurashtra region, seedlings during earlier period. project report from Department of Agricultural Economics, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat (India). Policy implications: As the lime cultivation is highly profitable, there is a WEBLIOGRAPHY scope to generate more returns per unit area for the Anonymous (2009). Lime plantation, Retrieved on internet and farmers through expansion of area under this crop. All Importance and scope of horticulture, Retrieved on the economic analysis shows that lime cultivation is a internet, http://www.Indiaagronet.com/Indiaagronet/ profitable venture . As such every effort should be made horticulture/horticulture.htm. by financial institutions to provide adequate credit to all Anonymous (2010). Lime cultivation and its basics, Retrieved lime growers. In cost minimisation efforts, more emphasis on internet, http://fruitsexotic.blogspot.com. could be given for efficient use of labour and variable Indian Horticulture data base (2018), retrieved on internet http:/ inputs. /nhb.gov.in/database-2018.pdf.

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