The present investigation was undertaken with view to study cost and returns in rain-fed maize farmers of tribal area of Central Gujarat. Multistage stratified sampling method was adopted for sample design. A sample of 240 maize farmers were selected from 12 selected villages of six selected talukas of three tribal districts. Techniques such as, percentage and ratios, mean, standard deviation and t-test were employed. Standard farm management cost and returns concepts were used to estimate various costs and returns. The results of the study revealed that, the average total cost of cultivation per hectare of maize farms was ₹ 30242. It was highest (₹ ) on large farms and the lowest (₹ ) on marginal farms. Among the different items of cash expenditure, the cost of hired labour ranks first with per cent of total cost followed by bullock labour ( per cent), chemical fertilizers ( per cent), miscellaneous ( per cent) and tractor charges ( per cent). All the costs . Cost A, B, C1 and C2 increased with increase in size of the farm groups. The market price of maize ranged from ₹ to per quintal from marginal farm size group to large farm size group. Therefore, it can be concluded that maize cultivation was quite remunerative even if the lowest market price was considered. | Economic analysis of rainfed maize production in central Gujarat, India
