Economics and Post-Harvest Losses of Major Cole Vegetables in Nagpur District of Maharashtra state

Abstract:

The present study was undertaken to work out the economics of cultivation and post-harvest losses of major cole vegetables, namely cauliflower and cabbage, in Nagpur district of Maharashtra state. The study was based on primary data collected from 120 farmers (60 cauliflower growers and 60 cabbage growers), along with 5 wholesalers and 10 retailers, during the agricultural year 2025–26 through personal interview method using a pre-tested schedule. Cost and returns of cauliflower and cabbage were estimated using standard cost concepts. The per hectare cost of cultivation at Cost C₃ was Rs. 85,293.93 for cauliflower and Rs. 84,174.91 for cabbage. The per hectare net returns at Cost C₃ were Rs. 57,380.99 for cauliflower and Rs. 46,467.57 for cabbage, with benefit-cost ratios of 1.67 and 1.55, respectively, indicating that cauliflower was relatively more profitable than cabbage. Post-harvest losses at the farm level were estimated at 11.15 kg/qtl for cauliflower and 10.85 kg/qtl for cabbage, with harvesting being the major stage of loss in both crops (58.57 and 57.60 per cent of total farm-level loss, respectively). At the market (retailer) level, losses were 7.27 kg/qtl for cauliflower and 7.10 kg/qtl for cabbage, with loading and unloading operations accounting for the largest share of loss (34.25 and 34.51 per cent, respectively). The results indicate that both crops were economically viable, with cauliflower recording higher net returns and a higher benefit-cost ratio than cabbage.