Comparative Study on Income Generation through Horticulture Crops Like Mango and Litchi with Sericulture at Farmers' Level in Murshidabad District, West Bengal

Abstract

Sericulture is recognized as an important agro based labour intensive cottage industry in India. In this study, we have made a comparative analysis on the income generation from sericulture as compared to traditional horticulture crops, i.e., Mango (Mangifera indica) and Litchi (Litchi chinensis). Our study clearly indicates that sericulture is capable of generating more income than other horticulture crops like Mango, Litchi, etc. Mango and Litchi fruits can be produced normally once in a year but sericulture can be practiced 4-5 times in a year. The net income from one acre mango orchard, i.e., in ON-YEAR is ₹ 46,000/ and in OFF YEAR ₹ 27,600 (40% of the ON-YEAR production). Hence the total income in two years from one acre mango orchard is ₹ 46,000 + ₹ 12,970 = ₹ 58,970/- (average income per year is ₹ 29,485) and the net income from one acre Litchi orchard, i.e., in ON-YEAR is ₹ 53,500/ and in OFF YEAR ₹ 16,500 (50% of the ON-YEAR production). The total income in two years from one acre mango orchard is ₹ 81,000 + ₹ 18,400 = ₹ 99,400/- (average income per year is ₹ 49,700) which is still less than sericulture which generate ₹ 54,700 in one acre of land for irrigated condition in one year. Sericulture provides regular employment to the farmers. In sericulture 478 man days are required per acre per year where as in horticulture only 250 - 300 man days are sufficient for one acre orchard. So, sericulture ultimately checks the migration of population from rural areas to urban areas, thereby minimizes the population and pollution in urban areas by arresting the growth of slums in urban areas. Hence, sericulture can be considered as an essential tool for the rural development and improving the standard of living of human population of village level.