ECONOMIC PROFILE OF RICE CULTIVATION IN PUNJAB

The study was conducted to bring out various aspects of rice cultivation in Punjab based on a sample of 100 rice growers spreading over five districts of the state during 2008-09. The dominant variety PR-106 has lost importance totally over the years. The cultivation of Pusa-44 has increased from merely 16.6 per cent in 1991-92 to as high as 35.2 per cent in 2008-09. The gross return from per hectare production of rice was Rs. 54585. The total variable costs of cultivation per hectare were Rs. 17657, leaving behind Rs 36927 as returns over variable costs. The regression analysis has brought out that there existed scope to further increase of insecticides/pesticides, manures/ fertilizers and irrigation for improving the rice yield in Punjab. Bacterial leaf blight and false smut were the major problematic diseases for rice crop. The problem of weeds, as experienced by the rice growers was not very serious. The rice growers wanted scientists to evolve high yielding varieties.