Comparative Economics of Maize Cultivation under Conventional and Mechanization

Aim: To compare the cost and return analysis of conventional maize cultivation with mechanization. Place of Study: A field experiment on maize crop cultivation by conventional and mechanization was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Karimnagar during Kharif, 2019-20. Methodology: The cost concepts were used to estimate the cost of cultivation under conventional and Mechanization methods. The cost concepts viz., cost A1, cost A2 cost B1 cost B2 and cost C1, cost C2 and C3 were used in the present study. Results: The total costs of cultivation under conventional and mechanization methods were Rs.117794.78 and Rs.104137.92 per hectare respectively indicating 12 % saving with mechanization. Similarly gross returns were Rs. 146064.00 in conventional method against Rs.146988.00 in mechanized method. Net returns recovered were 52% higher with mechanized method i.e Rs.42850.08 compared to conventional method Rs.28269.22. In the same way returns per rupee of investment in conventional method and mechanization were 1.23 and 1.41. Mechanization in cultivation also saves time, labour usage and reduces drudgery.

"Comparative Economics of Zero Budget Natural Farming with Conventional Farming Systems in Northern Dry Zone (Zone-3) of Karnataka"

The present study was initiated during 2019-20 to illustrate the comparison between zero budget natural farming and conventional farming systems in terms of the economics of selected major crops cultivated under ZBNF system in the Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka. In order to identify main differences between natural and conventional farming practices, descriptive statistics have been used to analyze the primary data collected from 80 farmers across the 8 districts of the northern dry zone of Karnataka. The study was planned to highlight the main characteristics of those two systems to address the differences in cost and returns. The results revealed that the total cost under ZBNF was observed to be lower than the conventional farming system. The average yield realized under ZBNF system was slightly lower than a conventional farming system in all the crops except foxtail millet. This is clearly indicated that the ZBNF system was performed well in millets cultivation under the rainfed situation. And around 92 percent of the farmers experienced that, the cost of cultivation under ZBNF was minimized. Further, the study highlighted a statistically significant difference between ZBNF and conventional yield levels, cost of cultivation, and income at multiple locations. According to the ’farmer’s opinion, most farmers opined that the pest and disease were unable to manage in ZBNF.

The Palgrave Handbook of Comparative Economics

A whole brand-new concept was made in Comparative Economics this year and luckily we had the opportunity to get to know the unique point of views in a newly published book The Palgrave Handbook of Comparative Economics by Elodie Douarin. Corvinus University of Budapest had a chance to discuss this exciting new approach with the most prestigious professors in Comparative Economics. Elodie Douarin from the College of London, Gerard Roland from Berkeley and Bruno Dallago from Trento helped us to understand the new theory. In the Corvinus side, Zoltán Ádám, András Székely-Doby and Judit Kálmán professors participated in the discussion. The moderator was Miklós Rosta, Head of Comparative and Institutional Economics Department.

Effect of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Powder and Synbiotic as Alternative to Antibiotic Growth Promoter on Haemato-biochemical Parameters, Comparative Economics and Mortality of Broiler Chicks

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of turmeric powder and synbiotic as alternative to antibiotic growth promoter on haemato-biochemical parameters, comparative economics and mortality of broiler chicks. Total 150 day-old chicks were randomly divided into 5 treatments having 30 chicks in each group with three replicates of 10 chicks in each. Control group was fed basal diet, second group supplemented with antibiotic @ 0.02%, third supplemented with turmeric @ 0.5%, fourth supplemented with synbiotic @ 0.05% and fifth supplemented with turmeric @ 0.25%+synbiotic @ 0.025% in the diet. Haemato-biological parameters, comparative economics and mortality were recorded. Non-significant (p>0.05) effect was observed for haemato-biochemical parameters. However, numerically highest level of haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total protein, albumin and globulin was found in group supplemented with turmeric and synbiotic powder in combination. Highest reduction in serum triglyceride and cholesterol level was observed in group supplemented with turmeric and synbiotic powder in combination and lowest reduction was observed in control group. Highest net return per bird was observed in group supplemented with turmeric and synbiotic powder in combination and lowest was observed in control group. Lowest mortality was observed in a group supplemented with turmeric and combination group, while highest mortality was observed in control group. It can be concluded that as an alternative to antibiotics, addition of turmeric and synbiotic combination in the diets positively influenced haemato-biochemical parameters and comparative economics with reduced mortality of broiler.

Comparative Economics of Wheat Cultivation Establishment Techniques in Haryana

The study was conducted in Karnal and Kaithal districts of Haryana during the year 2017-18. The results of the revealed that the share of variable cost as well as fixed cost in total cost of conventional technique of wheat were estimated to be was higher than the conservation techniques (ZTT and THST). The highest cost was incurred on fertilizer investment in variable cost. On the other side in case of fixed cost, highest share were incurred on rental value of land in conventional as well as conservation techniques of wheat in both the districts. The highest gross as well as net returns were found to be higher in turbo happy seeder technique (THST) over zero tillage technique and conventional technique in Karnal and Kaithal district of Haryana. As far as benefit cost analysis, turbo happy seeder technique was recorded profitable over zero tillage technique and conventional technique in the study area.

Effect of Supplementation of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) Leaf and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Powder as Feed Additive on Daily Weight Gain, Comparative Economics and Mortality Percent of Broiler Chicks

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of tulsi and ginger as feed additives on comparative economics of broiler chicks. Two hundred and ten day-old chicks divided into 7 groups and each group having 30 chicks. Control group was fed on basal diet and T1 and T2 group were supplemented with 0.5% and 1% of tulsi leaf powder in the ration, respectively. Likewise, G1 and G2 group were supplemented with 0.5% and 1% of ginger powder in the ration, respectively. T1G1 and T2G2 treatment groups were supplemented with 0.5% and 1% of both herbs in combination, respectively. The statistical analysis of data revealed highly significant (p<0.01) effect of tulsi leaf and ginger powder on average daily body weight gain. Highest average daily body weight gain during starter phase was recorded in T2G2 group fed with tulsi leaf and ginger powder @ 0.5% each, which was comparable with G2 group. During finisher phase of trial statistical analysis revealed highest (p<0.01) average daily body weight gain in T2G2 group. Lowest average daily body weight gain was observed in control group during starter and finisher period. Statistical analysis of data revealed highly significant (p<0.01) effect on comparative economics of broilers due to supplementation of tulsi leaf and ginger powder. Highest net profit per kg of live weight was observed in T2G2 group supplemented with 0.5% tulsi leaf and ginger powder each and lowest net profit per kg of live weight was observed in T2 group which was comparable with control group. The overall mortality per cent of chicks under different treatment groups was observed to be 16.17% in control group and 6.66% in T1 and T2, and in G1, G2, T1G1, T2G2 groups observed no mortality. It may be concluded that supplementation tulsi leaf and ginger powder as feed additives improves daily weight gain, comparative economics and reduced mortality of broiler chicks.