ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY AND CONSTRAINTS ANALYSIS OF MANDARIN ORANGE CULTIVATION IN NAGPUR DISTRICT OF MAHARASHTRA (INDIA)

The Economic feasibility and constraints analysis of mandarin orange cultivation has been studied in Nagpur district of Maharashtra for the period, 2021 -2023 by collecting data on various aspects of costs and returns.For study Benefit-Cost ratio (BCR), Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Amortization cost, payback period (PBP), marketing efficiency and garret ranking technics has been used for statistical analysis.On the global scale India stands on ninth position in mandarin orange production.Mandarin orange is the most important commercial citrus species in India and contributes 41 percent of the total citrus production in the country.In the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra it is known for its special variety of mandarin orange grown in that area called Nagpur Mandarin orange and is the primary fruit crop in that area.The present study deals with, primary data collected from 75 farmers across three blocks in Nagpur district.The study revealed that the average cost of cultivation for establishing a mandarin orange plantation in Nagpur district was estimated Rs. 2,69,831.41per hectare.Further analysis shown that amortization cost of Rs. 29,726.81per hectare based on the total establishment cost, along with a maintenance cost of Rs. 64,796.75.In terms of yield, Nagpur had an average production of 9.27 tons per hectare with gross return of Rs. 1,85,459.59and net return was Rs 120,662.84 per hectare.The discounted Net Present Value (NPV) per hectare in Nagpur was calculated Rs. 4,29,774.12.He estimated an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 12.98 percent.The Benefit-Cost Ratio (BC Ratio) was calculated 1.66 in Nagpur district, and the Payback Period (PBP) was estimated 6.36 years.The most important constraints in Mandarin orange cultivation are high initial investment as a prominent challenge followed by monopoly of traders and fruit drops, non-avaibility of quality planting materials and lack of skilled labours.Therefore, mandarin orange is more remunerative and yield can be sustainable if proper package of practices will be followed.The mode of pattern is same as conducted by Rama Rao, (2012).