Profitability and Socio-Economic Impact of Fennel Production on Farming Households in Veerampura Village of Rajasthan

Abstract

The study was conducted at Veerampura village in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan during the year 2020-21 with the objective of assessing the socio-economic status of fennel growers and estimating the cost and returns associated with fennel cultivation in different fields. The region falls under the flood-prone Eastern Plains region (3B) of Rajasthan, which is known for its agro-climatic diversity. A total of 46 fennel growers were selected using purposeful non-random sampling, which were categorized into marginal, small, medium and large agricultural categories. The study was based on primary data and included variables such as land holdings size, family structure, literacy level, and real estate distribution. The study examined the socio-economic status, agricultural resources, and economic performance of fennel growers in different farm-size categories in Veerampura village of Rajasthan. Data were collected from marginal, small, medium and large farms to assess land, family structure, educational level, real estate, production, and profitability. The average farm size was 2.14 hectares, with large farms controlling 44.74% of the total land. Household size, number of earners, and fixed assets increased with farm size, while marginal farms had higher property intensity per hectare. Fennel yield and gross income per hectare were highest in large farms, reflecting better resource utilization and management practices. Economic analysis has shown that the net return and output-input ratios have increased with farm size, confirming that profitability is positively associated with operational scale. The ANOVA results indicated significant differences between the farm-size groups for all the major variables. The findings highlight the need for targeted support to marginal and smallholder farmers to enhance productivity and income.