POTENTIALITY OF ERICULTURE FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN DRY LAND AREAS OF TELANGANA - AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

摘要

Ericulture once confined to the hilly, tribal districts of North Eastern Region of India has spread to several other states including the state of Telangana. The size of land holdings possessed by small and marginal farmers in the state of Telangana is much below the minimum economically viable sizes. Hence, rainfed castor farming in Telangana has been diversified into eri silkworm cocoon production which ensures additional income and family employment during crop leisure period. In this regard, eight castor genotypes were subjected to four defoliation levels viz., 30%, 40% and 50% along with control (no defoliation). Significantly no deviation was observed in seed yield from non defoliation plot and 30% defoliated plants. At 50% defoliation on an average, the yield gap was more than 15% in all most all the genotypes. The batch of eri silkworms reared on the leaves of PCH-111 recorded significantly the highest shell yield of 15.5 kg/ha followed by GCH-4 (14.9 kg/ha) and PCH-222 (14.8 kg/ha). If thecastor crop is grown for the seed purpose alone, the gross returns and net profit was highest with PCH-111 (Rs. 45,600 and 30,640/-) followed by PCH-222 (Rs. 44,832 and 29,872/-). By utilizing the 30% defoliated leaf for eri silkworm rearing, significantly more gross returns and net profit was recorded with PCH-111 (Rs. 8525 and 6007.5/-), GCH-4 (Rs. 8195 and 5867.5/-) and PCH-222 (Rs. 8140 and 5765/-). That means, these genotypes are suitable both for seed production and eri silkworm rearing. On an average all most all the genotypes recorded Rs. 5,500/- per hectare in addition to the regular seed yield. Significantly higher CB ratio was observed with PCH-111 (1:3.95), PCH-222 (1:3.72) and GCH-4 (1:3.05) while the CB ratio was least with DCH-177 (1:2.32). Hence, from the above results it is very clear that castor plants were able to completely regrow its leaf area when the 30% defoliation occurred during the crop stage without any influence on the seed yield and defoliation beyond this level caused areduction in the seed yield. That 30% defoliated leaf can be utilized for growing eri silkworms and can get an additional income of Rs. 3000/- acre. However, by utilizing PCH-111, PCH-222 and GCH-4 genotypes farmers can reap higher gross and net returnswith more CB ratio.