Economic analysis of production and cultivation of coconut in Southern districts of Karnataka

The present study was conducted to know the economics of production and cultivation of coconut in Southern districts of Karnataka. India occupies a predominant position in the world were Karnataka ranks first in India with productivity of 6.26 tonnes per hectare. The total cost of cultivation per acre is (C3) Rs. 65064 with yield of coconut nuts is 4050 with decreasing gross returns of Rs. 14439 and Cost of production was Rs.16 per nut. While, Rs. 13 was the price of coconut per nut. The total cost of coconut converted in to copra was Rs. 74206 with yield of 4.65 quintals per acre with decreasing gross returns of Rs. 21923 per quintal nuts cost of production per copra with a significant return of Rs. 15958 with price of copra per quintal was Rs. 9700. Major problems faced by the growers are rhinoceros beetle, non-availability of labor, mechanizing of harvesting dehusking breaking and conversion of copra. Hence, from the study it can be concluded that among the significant variables, labor, manure, pesticides, fertilizer and irrigation were more important input resources for the growers in the study area. Labor cost had a greater influence on the productivity of coconut compared to all other variables. Thus, it can be suggested that the Government should provide technical and financial assistances to these farmers.