Economics of selected summer leafy vegetables in Nagpur district of Maharashtra state

Abstract:

The present study was undertaken to work out the economics of selected summer leafy in Nagpur district of Maharashtra state. The study was based on primary data collected from 120 farmers during the summer season of 2025-26 through personal interview method using pre-tested schedules. The study focused on three major summer leafy vegetables i.e. fenugreek, spinach and amaranthus. Cost and returns of fenugreek, spinach and amaranthus were estimated using standard cost concepts. It is observed from the study was that the per hectare cost of cultivation at cost C₃ was Rs. 55,157.38, Rs. 53,417.87 and Rs. 68,298.72 for fenugreek, spinach and amaranthus respectively. The per hectare net returns at Cost C₃ were Rs. 63,429.87, Rs. 48,007.93 and Rs. 1,04,131.28 per hectare, with B:C ratios of 2.14, 1.90 and 2.52 in fenugreek, spinach and amaranthus, respectively. The study further revealed that non-availability of labour on time was the major production constraint for fenugreek (82.33 per cent), spinach (85.00 per cent) and amaranthus (85.00 per cent) had rank I. In the marketing of selected summer leafy vegetables high transportation cost was the major constraint for fenugreek (85.00 per cent) and spinach (82.50 per cent), whereas not getting a remunerative market was the major marketing constraint for amaranthus (87.50 per cent). The results indicate that all three crops were economically profitable, while amaranthus recorded the highest net returns and B:C ratio at cost C₃.