Background: The process of production involves converting the raw material resources into the finished product and these resources possess the cost, which needs to be optimised with the better utilization and allocation of the resources. Farms with the best resource utilisation have more chances to gain the economics of scale therefore it is necessary to study the allocative and productive efficiency of the different farm sizes in the study area. 
 
Methods: The field survey was conducted at Tehsil Jubbal and Kotkhai of Shimla district where data from 200 Apple-producing farming households of different farm sizes was collected with the help of a questionnaire. The collected data was analysed with the use of the Cobb-Douglas production function to analyze the resource use efficiency of different farm sizes. 
 
Result: The study indicates that in the case of marginal farms in Kotkhai Tehsil, land, labour and manures and fertilizers were found to be statistically significant at the 5% and 10% probability levels. However, for marginal farms in Jubbal Tehsil, the production elasticity of factor inputs such as land and manures and fertilizers is positive, while labour and seeds show a negative elasticity, although these results are not statistically significant. The MVP (Marginal Value Product) of land, labour, seeds and other inputs is statistically less than unity for small, marginal and medium farms in both Kotkhai and Jubbal Tehsils. This suggests that farmers are utilizing these resources beyond their optimal capacity. Additionally, the MVP of manures and fertilizers is negative for small and medium farms in both Tehsils, indicating that reducing their usage would lead to higher returns. 
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Economics of Apple Production in Different Farm Size: A Comparative Study of Jubbal and Kotkhai Tehsil of District Shimla

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Lipotes vexillifer,&nbsp;&nbsp;is a functionally extinct species&nbsp;of freshwater dolphin commonly called as Baiji dolphin of Yanzte River, China. The dolphin is thought to be the first one of it&rsquo;s kind driven to extinction due to the impact of humans. Yangtze Freshwater Dolphin Expedition carried out in the year 2006 revealed the species as functionally extinct. The pr&eacute;sent study deals with the population viability analysis of the baiji dolphin using Vortex software and also by consulting historical materials and relevant literature to explore the possible causes of the functional extinction of the baiji in the Yangtze River. The findings are to provide guidance for the effective management of another freshwater mammal, the Yangtze finless porpoise. 
 
Methods: Population viability analysis of the baiji dolphin for various parameters were assessed using Vortex software and other published information and relevant literatures. The analysis were carried out to ascertain the possible causes of the functional extinction of the baiji in the Yangtze River. 
 
Result: Simulation models were employed to identify the reasons for extinction of Yangtze River baiji population by adopting viability retrospective method. The various parameters associated with the population analysis were included to derive logical conclusion. The minimum viable population of the Yangtze River baiji was also identified by adopting various simulation models. The present study is the first attempt to apply the 10,000-time iteration method to the baiji population survivability analysis.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">A Retrospective Analysis on the Population Viability of the Yangtze River Dolphin or Baiji (Lipotes vexillifer)</div>