Cost, Returns and Profitability under Coconut Based Different Irrigation Methods

The coconut grower incurred Rs. 106014, Rs. 151754 and Rs. 153071 per hectare on cost of cultivation in FM, MSM and DM irrigation structures. Realized the per hectare total returns worked out to Rs. 121136, of which 71.84 per cent from coconut (Rs. 87020) and 28.16 per cent (Rs.34116) from other intercrops. In sprinkler and drip irrigation methods total returns worked out to Rs.179600 and Rs.202400, respectively. In sprinkler irrigation method share of coconut was found to be 70.55 per cent (Rs.126700) and that of other intercrops came to 29.45 per cent (Rs.52900). In drip irrigation method, per cent share of coconut and other intercrops worked out to the extent of 71.94 per cent (Rs.145600) and 28.06 per cent (Rs.56800). Coconut equivalent yield per palm per year was found to be 107.95 nuts, 159.21 nuts and 199.79 nuts in FM Group, MSM Group and DM Group, respectively. The coconut equivalent yield in FM Group, MSM Group and DM Group was 14142, 22450 and 24175 nuts, respectively. The input output ratio estimated in different irrigation methods was 1:1.1 in FM, 1:1.2 in MSM and 1:1.3 in DM correspondingly per nut cost of coconut was Rs. 7.00, Rs. 6.75 and Rs. 6.05 in the same order.Analysis and return structure indicated that in terms of absolute value and also coconut equivalent yield modern method of irrigation (MSM and DM) gives higher return over traditional method (FM). These returns are higher to the extent of 50 per cent in MSM and about 71 per cent in DM group. This showed the superiority of modern method over traditional method in terms of returns.