Determination of the production costs per hectare and the constraints faced in production of fox-nut in Darbhanga district (Bihar)

Abstract

The fox-nut (Euryale ferox) is an aquacultural crop in the Nymphaeaceae family. Fox-nut grows in perennially stagnant aquatic bodies such as land depressions, swamps, ponds, and ditches. Fox-nut is grown as a crop in India, mainly in the states of Bihar and parts of North Eastern region Bihar accounts for roughly 85 percent of India's fox-nut production. Average of the total cost of cultivation of fox-nut in Darbhanga district of Bihar was approx. Rs. 109395.70/hec., the average yield is 2037.5 kg/hec., average gross return is Rs. 380335.70/hec. and average net return was Rs.298104.30/hec. Average cost of cultivation of fox-nut seed is Rs 53.69/Kg. Major cost item in cultivation of fox-nut is human labour cost which is 35.75 percent of total cost of cultivation. The total operational cost was estimated to be 84.32 percent while average fixed cost is 15.67 percent to the total cost.