Economics of mandarin production in Nagpur district of Vidarbha region

This study was conducted during 2023-24 and focuses on the financial aspects of mandarin cultivation. Data were collected from 40 farmers across three tehsils namely Katol, Kalmeshwar, and Narkhed. The total cost of establishing a mandarin orchard over five years was Rs. 371427.43, with an annual establishment cost of Rs. 13265.27 over the orchard’s productive lifespan of 28 years. The per-hectare cost of cultivation of mandarin orchards was examined Rs. 239974.85, with cost categories 'A1' and 'A2' amounting to Rs. 128456.88, representing 53.53% of the total costs. Among these, manure accounted for the largest share at Rs. 32,092.94 (13.37%), followed by plant protection was Rs. 19540.20 (8.14%). The highest input-output ratio at cost 'C3' was 1.86, indicating that mandarin cultivation is a profitable venture. However, major challenges faced by mandarin growers included significant fruit drop due to irregular and heavy rains, wind, hailstorms, and pest infestations, particularly from Phytophthora. Additionally, there was a general reluctance among farmers due to the high initial investment required for orchard establishment.