Appraisal of Cluster Front Line Demonstration on Rapeseed and Mustard in Biharand Jharkhand

Performance of ten varieties of rapeseed and mustard were assessed through cluster frontline demonstration (CFLD) under different agro-climatic condition of Bihar and Jharkhandcontinuously for four years (2017-18 to 2020-21) by the KVKs of Bihar and Jharkhand.Among the agro-climatic zones of Bihar, highest yield was recorded in the demonstratedplot from zone III (B) i.e. South-West alluvial plain in case of variety RH 0749 (15.29 q/ha) and in Jharkhand state from zone I (Central and North astern plateau) with varietyNRCHB 101 (13.31 q/ha). Lowest technology index was observed for variety RajendraSufalam in all the zone (-4.96, 5.53, 7.18 and 22.92 % in zone I, III (B), III (A) & II) ofBihar and NRCHB 101 (23.15% in zone I) in Jharkhand. The range of extension gapwas1.38 to 4.37 and 1.13 to 4.86 q/ha under the agro-climatic zone of Bihar and Jharkhand,respectively. Pooled data shows that in Bihar, maximum net return (Rs. 46986 /ha) wasobtained in variety Rajendra Sufalam in agro-climatic zone III A of Bihar with benefit costratio 3.85:1 whereas under agro-climatic condition of Jharkhand maximum net return (Rs.39598 /ha) was recoded from variety NRCHB 101 with benefit cost ratio 2.80:1

Effect of Nutrient Management and Rice Establishment Methods on Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Rice–Groundnut Cropping System

The field experiments were conducted at Agronomy Main Research Farm, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India during rabi (November–March) seasons of 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 to evaluate direct and residual effect of nutrient management and rice establishment methods on phenology, growing degree days, growth, yield and economics of groundnut in rice–groundnut cropping system. The experiments were laid out in split-plot design with three replications. Carryover effect of direct seeding rice favourably influenced the succeeding groundnut crop as compared to that grown after transplanting which had superior growth parameters resulting in 25.7% higher pod yield, oil yield (1.24 t ha-1), gross return (` 136612.7 ha-1) and net return (` 63965.0 ha-1). Residual effect of organic management to preceding rice significantly increased growth, yield attributes, growing degree days at physiological maturity and net return, resulted in highest pod yield of 2.48 t ha-1 in groundnut which was at par with that grown after INM in rice, but was on an average, 17.0% higher than inorganic practice in rice. INM to groundnut increased yield parameters and economics of the crop resulting in 19.7 and 39.3% higher pod yields than 100% and 75% soil test based fertiliser, respectively. Hence, INM under direct seeding to kharif rice benefits the succeeding groundnut crop and direct application of 75% STBN (inorganic)+25% STBN (FYM)+0.2 LR+biofertilisers to groundnut proved beneficial for improving phenology, growing degree days, growth, yield and economics of groundnut in rice–groundnut cropping system.

A Study of the Yield of Honey in Farms from North-Eastern Bulgaria

The aim is to study the prices, cost and profitability of honey from the Ruse region. A serious problem has been defined for honey, which is a major product of regional beekeeping, respectively its profitability - steadily declining prices do not cover the rising costs of production and sale. The study found that the average prices of the online segment of organic honey compared to the same offline segment in packages of 1 kg have a difference of almost 2 times, and in the smallest cuts 3 times. The gross profit (margin) of the regional honey of the B2B offline markets in the biological and conventional segment for 2020 is negative. The study found that own B2C online channels in the conventional segment achieve a net return of 48 BGN/year per beehive, and in the biological segment - 97.92 BGN/year per beehive. The latter provides 150 beehives with a net income of 1224 BGN/month, which is the yield on the sale of organic honey on the offline B2C markets with 950 beehives. Marketing strategies of beekeeping farms in the Ruse region are needed to achieve competitiveness and profitability at the sectoral and regional level.

Profitability and productivity of drought tolerant Aus rice variety Binadhan-19 in some areas of Bangladesh

The present study was conducted in five districts namely Mymensingh, Ranpur, Pabna, Rajshahi and Chapainwabganj in Bangladesh. The objectives of the study were i) to identify the socio-economic characteristics of Aus rice growers; ii) to estimate profitability and productivity of Binadhan-19 in the study areas; and iii) to find out the major preferences and constraints for the variety cultivation. A total of 200 farmers were randomly selected (40 from each location) to collect the data with a pre-designed questionnaire. The distribution of the farmers by age showed that the mean age for Binadhan-19 cultivated farmers was 43 years. In the study areas among the farmer 86% was educated. Farmers average experience was 20 year and income were Tk. 235066 (USD 2611.84) per year. Per hectare average yield of rice was 1.37 ton. It was estimated that, to produce one kilogram of rice, total cost incurred was Tk. 14 where per kg average selling price of rice was Tk. 17. The average gross return and gross margin of rice cultivation were found Tk. 90679 (USD 1007.54)/ha and Tk. 51290 (USD 559.88)/ha, respectively. Per hectare average net return was Tk. 2459 (USD 27.32) which was found to be highest in Chapainwabganj Tk. 29739 (USD 330.43) and lowest in Rangpur Tk. 12692 (USD 141.02) district. BCR on total cost basis was found 1.37. The highest preference was for neat rice 98% and the highest constrain said by the farmer was crop destroy by animal and bird of paddy for early ripening in Binadhan-19 cultivation.

Working capital management and profitability of manufacturing companies in Kosovo

This article aims to demonstrate the profitability of the manufacturing companies in Kosovo impacted by the managing practices in the working capital. We use multiple regression analyses to estimate the effect of working capital indicators on profit. The Pearson correlation is used to calculate whether the variables are positively or negatively correlated and to what extent. The sample includes thirty-six manufacturing companies for the period 2012-2013. The data show that the increase in cash conversion cycle (CCC) and extension in the receivables term positively influenced operating profit and net return on assets. On the contrary, the increase in payables days had a negative effect on the operating profit and the net return on assets. The rise in inventory days led to increased profit. Therefore, the companies' competitiveness is maintained mainly by extending trade credit terms to their customers and keeping the cash engaged longer in operating activities.

Effect of Different Nutrient Management Practices on Productivity and Profitability of Double Zero Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Center, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh in Rabi season 2021 with a view to compare the production potential under different nutrient management practices and also to find out the economic viability of this cultivar for soil quality. The experiment was analysed in Randomised block design (RBD) and the treatments comprised of Control (T1), 100% N (T2), 100% NP (T3), 100% NPK (T4), 125%NPK (T5), 100% NPK+ S@40kg ha-1 (T6), 100%NPK+ Zn@5kg ha-1 (T7), 100%NPK + B@1kg ha-1 (T8), 75% NPK+ VC@ 2t ha-1 (T9), 75%NPK+FYM@ 6t ha-1 (T10), 75%NPK + VC@ 2t ha-1+ Azotobacter (T11) and 75%. NPK + FYM@6t ha-1 + Azotobacter (T12). Results revealed that treatment T11 and T12 exhibited significant influence on yield attributes and yields of mustard as compared to the application of 100% NPK alone. The maximum gross return was obtained in T12 followed by T11. The highest net return was obtained in T5 followed by T12, T6 and T11, whereas, minimum gross return and net return was obtained in T1.T11 recorded higher gross return and net return but the B:C ratio was lower due to higher cost of vermicompost. Higher values of B: C ratio (4.23) was obtained in T6 and T5 respectively. The current study reveals that T11 and T12 exhibited significant beneficial for yield, yield attributes and profitability of mustard.

Financial Analysis of Country Bean in Narsingdi District of Bangladesh

Aims: This study is an attempt to examine the profitability, problems and probable solutions of country bean production in Belabo upazila of Narsingdi district of Bangladesh. Study Design: Financial calculation of the cost and return were done to the evaluation process. Besides the problems and solutions of bean cultivation were also analyzed. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Belabo upazila of Narsingdi district of Bangladesh from November 2019 to April 2020. Methodology: A convenience sampling technique was selected to meet the objectives. One hundred and twenty five country bean growers were chosen from the study area. An interview schedule was prepared for collecting necessary data from the participants. The schedule contained questions about the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers, different costs associated with production, different problems faced by them during production and their probable suggestions to overcome those problems. Standard financial techniques were used to evaluate costs and returns. Descriptive statistics were used to describe socio-demographic characteristics, farming information, problems during the production process and rank of suggestions. Results: The study found that the total cost of bean cultivation was found in Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) 163866.35 per ha, net return was BDT 60850.28 per ha and benefit cost ratio was 1.37. The study found low price, lack of scientific knowledge in farming, transportation problems and poor storage facilities as major constraints. Besides, the farmers mentioned that they need proper training, reduction in price risk, credit support, cold storage facilities and transportation facilities. Conclusion: The study showed that per hectare yield, gross returns, gross margin, net return and benefit cost ratio of bean were higher. Therefore, bean production is highly profitable and it would help to improve the socio-economic condition of farmers in Narsingdi district. Besides, the study identified several problems faced by the bean growers and possible solutions to overcome those constraints were proposed.

Optimization of multi-objective cropping pattern using linear and goal programming approaches

Irrigation planning and scheduling are essential components of water management in irrigated agriculture. For this purpose, optimal allocation of land and water is required for optimization of cropping pattern under a set of limitations. In this paper, an attempt was made to optimize the cropping pattern for Barna irrigation project using Linear and Goal Programming (LP and GP) approaches. Three different objectives such as maximization of net return, protein and calorie values were considered for optimization of cropping pattern. The factors like amount of net return, values of protein and calorie, and quantum of water utilized for irrigation by LP and GP were considered for selection of best approach for optimization of cropping pattern for the project. The paper presents the methodology adopted in optimizing the cropping pattern using LP and GP approaches and the results obtained from the study. GP approach was found to be best for optimization of cropping pattern for the project.

Effect of Foliar Spray of Boron and their Time of Application on Yield, Quality and Economics of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.)

The present investigation was carried out at Hi-Tech Unit, Department of Horticulture, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur. The twelve treatments comprising of various combinations of 4 levels of boron, i.e., B 0 - 0, B 1 - 100, B 2 - 150 and B 3 - 200 ppm and three spray application times, i.e., D 1 - 30, D 2 - 45 and D 3 - 60 DAS. The treatments for beetroot crop were evaluated with three replications under factorial randomized block design. The experimental results show that different concentrations of boron, application times and their combinations significantly affected yield and quality of beetroot. Among treatments with different concentration of boron maximum yield per plot (45.44 kg), yield of root (454.45 q/ha), dry matter (18.08 %), protein on dry weight basis (2.54 %), ascorbic acid content (3.48 mg 100g-1), total soluble solids (16.10 oBrix) and beta carotene content (1438.34 IU) were recorded with treatment B3D1 (200 ppm boron spray at 30 DAS) and alsosignificantly produced higher gross return (₹ 238340.00), maximum net return (₹ 170230.00) and benefit cost ratio of 2.50, i.e., generating highest net return of ₹ 2.50 per rupee invested.

Foliar Nutrition with Water Soluble Macro and Micro Nutrient Fertilizers for Yield Maximization in Bush Vegetable Cowpea

Background: Cowpea is a leguminous crop of indeterminate growth habit and continues to produce flowers throughout its life cycle. In order to realize the genetic yield potential of cowpea, nutrient requirements of later formed flushes also needs to be met. Hence the present study was formulated to assess the effect of foliar application of water-soluble macro nutrient fertilizers viz., NPK 19:19:19 and potassium nitrate and micronutrient fertilizers viz. zinc sulphate and solubor for yield maximization in bush vegetable cowpea. Methods: The field experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram, during Rabi 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 13 treatments in three replications. The treatments comprised of recommended dose of conventional fertilizers (RDF) NPK 20:30:10 kg ha-1 as control and RDF + foliar application of water-soluble fertilizers 19:19:19 (0.5%) and potassium nitrate (0.5%) with zinc sulphate (0.05%) and solubor (0.025%) in twelve different combinations. Result: Results revealed that compared to RDF alone, RDF + foliar application of water-soluble macro and micro nutrient fertilizers at 45 DAS significantly improved the dry matter production, number of pods per plant and pod weight and recorded a yield enhancement of 22 to 55 per cent. Among the treatments, RDF + foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS recorded the highest dry matter production per plant (39.51 g), pods per plant (30.88 no.), pod yield (7410 kg ha-1), net return (82651 Rs ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.26). The treatments, RDF + foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5%) at 45 DAS; RDF + foliar application of 19:19:19 (0.5%), zinc sulphate (0.05%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS; and RDF + foliar application of potassium nitrate (0.5%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS also recorded comparable number of pods per plant, green pod yield, net return and B:C ratio. Considering the highest green pod yield, net return and B:C ratio, RDF + foliar application of NPK 19:19:19 (0.5%) and solubor (0.025%) at 45 DAS could be recommended for yield maximization in bush type vegetable cowpea.