Economic analysis of enhancing the productivity on Okra in Tamil Nadu irrigated agriculture management project of India

Abstract

The Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization Project (TN-IAMP) is a project aimed at improving irrigation infrastructure, water management, and agricultural productivity in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The target area is two different phases of sub basins is selected and the project's objective is productivity enhancement in vegetable crops. The horticulture interventions is implemented in about 2100 tanks out of a total of 4778 tanks in 43 sub basins in 30 districts. Vegetables and mango are cultivated only in tail ends in sub basin area. Cultivation of vegetable crops is taken up in all the five zones. The focus of horticulture interventions is on optimizing productivity and diversification of the cropping systems. The beneficiaries are selected by the village level Asst. Horticulture Officer and block level Horticulture Officers. Selected farmers are provided inputs like seed, planting material, fertilizers, bio-pesticides etc. well before the planting time. Without Project Yield (MT/ha)" represents the yield that would have been achieved without the project. Percentage Increase in Yield" shows the percentage increase in yield achieved with the project compared to the scenario without the project. The data suggests that implementing the project has led to a significant increase in the yield of the okra crop across different phases, with an average percentage increase of around 45.6%. The average percentage increase in net profit is around 189%, which indicates the positive impact of the project on the economic outcomes of the farmers. In Phase-I, the B/C ratio for the WP scenario is 2.52, indicating that the project generates significant benefits relative to its costs. In the WOP scenario, the B/C ratio is 0.92. In Phase-II, the B/C ratio for the WP scenario is 2.41, again indicating a positive economic impact. This indicates that the project generates more benefits than the costs incurred, making it economically viable and potentially beneficial for the farmers.