Resource Use Efficiency and Constraints in Farming in the Tank Commands : the Case of North Eastern Karnataka

Abstract

The study was conducted in three districts namely Bidar, Bellary and Raichur of north-eastern Karnataka in the selected tank commands rejuvenated by JalaSamvardhaneYojanaSangha, Government of Karnataka with an objective of studying the resource use efficiency and to identify the constraints faced by farmers in farming activities. Multi-stage proportionate random sampling is adopted in selecting the respondents. Majority of the farmers in the study area were practising only animal husbandry as subsidiary enterprise, field crops were the major enterprises. Results revealed that the inputs like feeds + concentrates were over-utilised and number of cows and seeds were under-utilised in Bidar district. The resources like land, number of cows, fertiliser + FYM were over-utilised and labour, PPC + veterinary charges were under-utilised in Bellary districts. In Raichur, fertiliser + FYM and labour were under-utilised. Results indicate the scope for reorganisation of resources to optimise their use to enhance returns. In all the districts, the use of resources that are showing negative production elasticity should be decreased to achieve the optimality in the resource use and the use of resources showing more than one elasticity should be encouraged to enhance the profitability condition. There are several problems associated which are grouped under two heads namely production constraints and marketing constraints. For safeguarding the farmers' interest to enhance farm efficiency, arrangements should be made to avail timely and adequately the credit and storage, inputs and market information.