An Economic analysis of Resource use efficiency and Input use Behaviour of Gherkin Growers in Natham Block of Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu
1*Moushiga. V and 2V. Banumathy
1*,2Department of Agricultural Economics, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar - 608002 (India) *Corresponding author - Email: moushimoushi01999@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Gherkin is a good source of potassium, calcium, silica, and magnesium which helps to improve overall growth. It is consumed as food in Western countries like the USA. In India, it is grown in contract farming by small and marginal farmers. India contributes to about 15per cent of the production of the world’s gherkin requirements. India’s export of gherkins (pickled cucumbers) for monetary yr 2023-24 was 17 per cent with the value of $256.58 million on sturdy demand from European consumers akin to Germany and Spain. In 2022-23, India’s gherkin export stood at $218.74 million. Knowing the importance of this crop, the present study was carried out to estimate the resource use efficiency of gherkin farmers and to know the level of perception about contract farming. For exploring the issues related to the production of gherkin, Natham block of Dindigul district was purposively selected for the study, since it ranks first in production among all other districts of Tamil Nadu. The perception of farmers was identified using a structured interview schedule on five dimensions such as contract farming, extension, market, economic and social dimensions. The results of functional analysis revealed that among the nine independent variables included, the coefficient of variables for phosphorus, potassium, number of irrigation, number of harvest, human labour and experience influenced the gherkin production positively and significantly. All other variables like FYM, seed and nitrogen had a negative influence