Economic Analysis of Yield Gap and its Implication on Profitability of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.) Production in Karnataka

Abstract

The present study was carried out in Bengaluru rural and Ramanagara districts of Karnataka to determine the extent of Yield gap in rainfed and irrigated situation and its implication on profitability of finger millet production. Primary data was collected from 30 rainfed and 30 irrigated farmers in each districts. Secondary data on experimental station yield and front line demonstration yield was obtained from All India Co-ordinated Small Millets Improvement Project, Bengaluru. Results revealed that yield gap was higher in rainfed situation (19.66 q ha^-1) compared to irrigated situation (7.16 q ha^-1). Yield gap II (Y_g II) was found to be 6.43 q ha^-1 and 4.82 q ha^-1 in rainfed and irrigated situations, respectively. The results also implied that, if Y_g II is reduced by 50%, then the farmers who are comprehending the negative net returns under rain fed situation can reduce their loss to just Rs. 663 ha^-1 from Rs. 5912 ha^-1 and if the Y_g II is reduced by 75% the farmers would realize a profit of Rs. 1,945 ha^-1. In irrigated situation the farmers can realize a higher profit of Rs. 11,201 and Rs. 13,344 ha^-1, if Y_g II is reduced by 50% and 75% respectively. There exists a synergistic relationship between yield gap and profitability. Reducing yield gap is one of the methodologies other than Minimum Support Price (MSP) to condense the distress of the farmers. Hence serious attempts are needed to narrow down the yield gap.