Prospects of Increasing Farm Income through Optimum Production Pattern in Three Regions of Somasila Project in Andhra Pradesh

Author: Ch. Srilatha

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Abstract

The results of the study revealed that there exists sub-optimal allocation of resources in the existing plans of small and large farmers. The process of optimization under different water supply conditions resulted in the improvement in the net farm returns of both the categories of farmers in the study area. However, the optimum model developed at existing water availability resulted in higher net farm returns as compared to other models developed at 10, 20 and 30 percent reduction in the water supply on small and large farms of head, middle and tail regions. The major challenge in the present study is availability of data regarding water levels at head, middle and tail regions. The process of optimization led to increase in the area under high valued crops and thus reducing the number of crops It is also evident that the decline in the net farm returns were more pronounced on both the categories of farms of the three regions when water availability was reduced by 30 percent.

Keywords

Optimum Plans, Rational Resource Allocation, Linear Programming Model, Sensitivity Analysis

Conclusion

In sum the present study revealed that farmers were operating their farms under conditions of sub-optimality. But the extent of mal allocation of resources was relatively higher on the small farms compared to the large farms. The optimum cropping pattern involved fewer crops, thereby indicating the trend towards specialization. The process of optimization led to increase in the area under high valued crops and thus reducing the number of crops. There is greater scope for increasing the net farm returns and the use of resource services and resources through systematic farm planning under the existing water supply and resource base on the farms of the three regions. The sensitivity analysis with reduced availability of water by 10, 20 and 30 per cent level revealed that the farmer’s income could be increased over the existing plan if the normative plans are adopted. The optimum plans developed at 30 per cent reduction in water availability indicated substantial decrease in net farm income. The shadow price of irrigation water was higher on small farms compared to large farms. This implies that additional hectare centimeter of irrigation water for small farmers would be more remunerative.

References

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How to cite this article

Ch. Srilatha (2023). Prospects of Increasing Farm Income through Optimum Production Pattern in Three Regions of Somasila Project in Andhra Pradesh. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(3): 282-293.