Cost and return analysis of soybean production in Gujarat

The present study was conducted to investigate input use, cost structure, and return analysis of soybean cultivation in Gujarat. The sampled farmers were selected through multistage sampling. The data were collected from 200 farmers using semi structured schedule by interview method. CACP cost concepts were used to study the cost structure and return analysis. On the overall basis among different items of cost of cultivation, the miscellaneous cost, which includes the cost of tractor and machinery, ranked first with 13.17 percent of the total cost (5272.00 ₹/ha) followed by hired labour (11.46 percent and value 4587.15 ₹/ha. Overall Cost C2 was observed to be ₹ 40016.98 per hectare, which was highest in small farms (₹ 24790.64). Cost C2 was inversely proportional to the farm size. The gross return was highest for large farms (94149.33 ₹/ha), followed by medium (83706.68 ₹/ha) and small farms (82186.38 ₹/ha). The benefit cost ratio over gross profit shows an increasing trend with larger farm sizes. It was 2.05, 2.09 and 2.37 for small, medium and large farms, respectively. Cost of production for small, medium and large farms were 2488.58 ₹/ha, 2433.65 ₹/ha and 2156.26 ₹/ha, respectively.