Operational feasibility perception of contract farming in Nagpur mandarin

Nagpur mandarin orchards are concentrated mostly in the five districts of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. The present study was carried out during 2014-15 in the Nagpur district of Maharashtra state with the objective of ascertaining the grower’s operational feasibility perception towards contract farming and find out the issues governing profitability. The total sample of 120 was derived from four talukas of Nagpur district using simple random sampling. The data collected through a structured interview schedule were analyzed using the t-test of significance of difference between sample and population means. The study revealed that education (t=3.406) showed significant relationship regarding the perceived feasibility of contract farming and the total annual income from citrus (t=2.007) at 5 per cent level of significance. The guaranteed and fixed pricing structures in contract farming system was perceived as the main reason which appealed to the maximum respondents (RBQ=340).The shield against market fluctuations ranked second (RBQ=328) in terms of relative advantages. The mandarin growers like any other farmers expected assured price to their farm produce and contract farming was perceived as a boon if it really commits as promised.