Economics of Paddy in Bhadra Command of Karnataka

A study on cost of cultivation of paddy in Harihara taluka of Karnataka state was carried out during Kharif 2011-12. The total cost of cultivation per hectare of paddy was Rs. 37,275. The input was mainly seeds, manures fertilizers and plant protection chemicals accounted for higher cultivation cost. The chemical fertilizers particularly DAP and complex consuming much of the total cost compared to other expenses. The MSP of paddy fixed by the government is very meagre and farmer has to incur more rather getting profit from paddy cultivation. Today labour cost is very high and also of fertilizers. The net income from one hectare paddy was Rs. 24,325 and the B : C ratio was below one. The paddy cultivation has been affected by many factors especially labour and inputs. The harvesting, threshing, winnowing cost was comparatively very less because of the introduction of mechanical paddy harvesters.