Varietal Preferences in Large Cardamom with Respect to Yield and Profitability in the Hill Region of West Bengal

Abstract

The study was conducted during the year 2017–18 in Block II of Kalimpong District in West Bengal. The state, district and the block were selected purposively whereas the respondents were selected randomly. Data were collected randomly from 60 farmers from three different villages of Block II of Kalimpong district with the help of structured interview schedule. The four different varieties namely Ramsey, Golsey, Varlangey and Seremna were presented to the farmers in pairs, in 6 possible combinations. The farmers were requested to identify one variety over the other from each six pairs which they consider more profitable and high yielding. For analysis of the data, Method of Paired Comparisons was followed. It was found from the study that the majority of farmers preferred Varlangey cultivar more in terms of yield (Scale value 2.1) and profitability (scale value 2.0) because of its higher yield, early maturity, bigger capsule size, making it easy to harvest and higher productivity.  Ramsay variety occupied the second position in terms of yield (Scale value 1.6) and profitability (Scale Value 1.2). Whereas, Golsey variety occupied the third position in case of yield (Scale Value 1.0) and profitability (Scale value 0.16) followed by the variety Seremna whose scale value have been brought down to arbitrary zero. According to the respondents there is no significant difference between Golsey and Seremna with respect to their yield and profitability.