"Assessing the Trends and Economic Viability of Tapioca Cultivation Using Profitability Assessment in Salem District of Tamil Nadu"

AbstractAn important tuber crop that supports India's agro-based industry, rural livelihoods,and food security is tapioca (Manihot esculenta). Using profitability indicators, time-seriesanalysis, and cost concepts, the current study evaluates the trends and economic viability oftapioca cultivation in Tamil Nadu's Salem district. Primary data was gathered from small,medium, and large farmers to estimate cultivation costs, returns, and benefit-cost ratios;secondary data was utilised to examine district-level trends in area, production, andproductivity.Time-series research revealed variations in the Salem district's tapioca production andarea from 2013–2014 to 2023–2024. With an area decline of –2.6% and production of –4.6%,the compound growth rate showed a negative trend. Variations in productivity had an impacton changes in output levels. The findings showed that economies of scale were evident as theoverall cost of cultivation (Cost C) decreased as farm size increased. The majority of the totalcost was made up of variable costs, the most important of which was human labour. All farmsizes could profitably grow tapioca, according to profitability research, with medium andlarge farms showing superior benefit-cost ratios, lower production costs, and larger netreturns. The survey also found that farmers faced a number of challenges, the most importantof which was price volatility, which was followed by a lack of high-quality planting material,a manpower scarcity, and post-harvest losses.Production and profitability were furtherimpacted by monsoon failure and high input costs. The study comes to the conclusion thatgrowing tapioca is a lucrative business, especially for medium and big growers. Tapiocacultivation can be made more profitable and expand sustainably by increasing productivitythrough mechanisation, adoption of improved varieties, effective input management, andresolving important production and marketing restrictions.