Production and marketing of maize with special reference to Dindigul District, Tamilnadu

Interview schedule for Maize growers

I. Personal data 1. Name : 2. Name of the place: 3. Sex : Male /Female 4. Age : Below 30 31-40 41-50 above 50 5. Marital status : Married Unmarried 6. Educational status

Illiterate Upto Primary level HSC Degree/Diploma Professional 7. Community : FC BC MBC SC/ST 8. Occupation in Agriculture

Main Allied 9. Nature of the grower

Owner Tenant 10. No. of Dependents

Adult Male Female Total Children Male Female Total total

11. Categories of Farmers Small Big

12. Experience in Maize cultivation 1 – 2 years 3 – 5 years 5 – 7 years Above 7 years

13. How many acres of Land are used for maize cultivation? 1 to 2 acres 2 to 3 acres 3 to 5 acres Above 5 acres

14. Annual family income from agriculture Rs. 0 - 50,000B 50001 – 1,00,000B 1,00,001 -2,00,000B 2,00,001 – 3,00,000B Above 5 lakhs

2.1 Do you cultivate maize under rainfed or irrigation?

Rain fed irrigated

2.1.1 If irrigated, do you cultivate maize in all seasons?

Yes No

2.1.2 If no, in which season you are not cultivated maize

Adi bottam puratasipatham

2.1.3 State in ----- of irrigation used

Well River Canal Bore well

2.1.4 How many times the crop irrigated?

5 times 6 – 8 hours 8 to 10 times

2.2. How many times plough your field before sowing?

One time Two times Three times

2.2.1 How do you plough your field?

Tractor Bullock cart

2.2.2 Do you make a provision for shallow -------- before saving?

Yes No

2.2.3 If yes, what is the distance between each shallow for

60cm 45 cm

2.3 How much cost incurred for field preporation per acre?

Rs. 2000-3000 Rs. 3000-5000 Rs. Above 5000

2.4 When do you show seed after completion field preparation?

Immediately After one week After 15 days

2.5 Do you use hybrid seed or not?

Yes No

2.5.1 If yes state the type of hybrid seed rank is the a----

Lack & knowledge Non – availability High cost Poor incentive from the Govt.

2.2.6 How much seeds have you used per acre?

3 kgs 4 kgs 5 kgs 6 kgs 7kgs

2.7 State the method of saving seeds (plane

i. Sowing seeds behind the plough

ii. Drilling method

iii. Dibbling method

Iv. Brand casting method

2.8 What is the gap between each plant?

10cm 20 cm 30 cm

2.9. Do you sow one seed or two seed in each hole?

One Two

2.19 Do you mix any desticide with seeds before sowing

Yes NO

2.11 Whether yield has increased by using hybrid seeds?

Yes No

2.12 If yes, how much yield per acre has increased?

0-1 tons 1 to 2 tons 2 to 3 tons Above 3 tons

2.13 How much cost spend for sowing work per acre?

B 2000-3000 Rs. 3000-4000 Rs. Above 5000

2.14 How many times weeding operation is done?

1 time 2 times 3 times

2.14.1 How it is performed?

Manual Machine pesticide

2.14.2 If manual, whether ad pure lab our is available for weeding operation

Yes No

2.15 How much cost is incurred for wedding per acre?

Less than Rs.1000 Rs. 1000-2000 Rs.2000-3000 Rs. Above – 3000

2.16 Do you apply organic manure before ploughing?

Yes No

2.16.1 Of no – state the reasons

High cost Non – available Unncessary

2.17 Do you test soil before applying fertilizers?

Yes No

2.18 How many times you use in organic fertilizers

Yes No

2.19 Mention the type of fertilizers used per acre?

Urea kg

Super phosphate

Potash

2.20 Do you feel fertilizers shortage in market?

Yes No

2.21 Whether fertilizers are supplied by the Govt at subsidized rate or not

Yes No

2.22 How much cost incur for application of fertilizers per acre?

Rs 1000 to 2000 Rs 2000 to 3000 Rs. 5000 to 7000 Rs. Above 7000

2.23 Whether maize is affected by diseases?

Yes No

2.24 If yes, what type of diseases that affect the crop?

1. Dowry mildew 2. Stem diseases 3. 4. Shootfly & abhids 5. Insects

2.25 How much cost incur to

Rs. Less than Rs. 1000

Rs. 1000 – 2000

Rs.2000 – 3000

Rs. Above – 3000

2.18 How do you harvest?

Mechanical manual both

2.19 Problems encountered with maize cultivation

S.No. Problem Rank

1. Water scarcity

2. Shortage of labor

3. Non – availability of seed

4. Weeds

5. Diseases

6. Lack of finance

7. High cost of Input

8. Lack of scientific knowledge

9. Any other reason

2.20 Does the agricultural department staff visit your field?

Yes No

2.20.1 If yes, What one is assistance provided by the agricultural dept?

1. Hybrid seeds 2. Pesticides 3. Fertilishers 4. Education 5. Any other service

2.21 Are you s------- with cultivation of maize?

Very much statisfied satisfied dissatisfied very much dissatisfied indifference

2.21.1. If satisfied How do you take in preference

S.No. Particulars Rank

1. High income

2. Low cost

3. Easy marketing

4. Short duration

5. Low water availability

6. Rest & disease resistance

COST AND RETURN

3.1 FIXED ASSETS

Fixed assets (other than land) used in maize cultivation

S.No. Name of Assets Year of purchase Present value Maintains cost 1 Well/bore well 2. Shed/ store room3. Farm house 4. Bullocks 5. Bullock carts 6. Tractor 7. Agri.equipments 8. Electric motor 9. Oil engine 10. Power sprayer

3.2 Establishment cost per acre

3.2.1. Preparation of field expenses

S.No. Types Material cost Labour cost Total 1. Ploughing 2. Farming beds 3. Fencing 4. g

3.3. Seeds pen acre

i. Type of seeds used : certified / uncertified / local

ii. Sources of purchase of seeds : a. Private b. Govt. c. Home made

iii. cost per kg Rs.

3.4 Type of Fertilishers

S.No. Name Qty Cost Transport cost Total 1. Organic 2. In organic 3. Both

3.5 Cost of cultivation per acre 3.5.1 Cost of Materials

S.No. Materials Cost Labor cost Total 1. Seeds 2. Natural manure 3. Fertilishers 4. Irrigation 5. Others

3.5.2 Cost of Labour

S.No. Type of work Male Female MLC FLC Total 1. Preparing land 2. Ploughing 3. Sowing seeds 4. Weeding 5. Fertilishers of

pesticides 6. Irrigation 7. Harvesting 8. Others

3.5.2.1 Rate of wages : Male Female

3.5.3 Cost of Irrigation a. Electricity B. Diesel

3.5.4 Cost of Insurance premium Rs.

3.5.5. Land Tax

3.5.6. Value of rent per acre

IV MARKETING

4.1 How did you marketing your crops?

i. Village merchants ii. Commission agents iii. Whole salers iv. Co-op marketing society

V. pre harvest contractors vi. If any other (specify)

4.2 State the reasons for preferring village merchants (rank them)

i. No transport cost ii. Offering finance iii. Supply of inputs iv. Reasonable price

v. Easy accessibility vi. Immediate payment vii. Correct weighing viii. No commissions

ix. Supply of gunnies x. Long term practice Xi. First come first

4.3 State the reasons for preferring commission agents (rank them)

1. Immediate cash ii. Advance received iii. Higher price iv. Storage facilities v. No transport cost vi. Storage facilities vii. Long term practice

4.4 State the reasons for attraction of regulated markets (rank them)

i. correct weighting ii. Reasonable price iii. No commission iv. Immediate payment

v. packing materials

4.5 Time of selling produce

i. Immediately after harvest ii. At the time of fetching high price iii. After storing for some time

4.6 if you sell the produce after storing mentioned period below (please tick)

i. Less than 30 days ii. 31-60 days iii. 61-90 days iv. 91 – 120 days v. More than 120 days

4.7. Where do you store producers?

i. own storage facility ii. Regulated market iii. Co-op marketing society iv. Any other specity

4.8 if storing, does it affect

i. quality iii. Weight iii. Both

4.9 do you weigh your produce by yourself before sales?

Yes no

4.9.1. if no, state reasons for not weighing before sales

i. No weighing maching ii. Lack of knowledge iii. Any other (specify) iv. Not interested

4.10 do you know as what basis the price of maize is fixed?

i. quality ii. Market arrivals iii. Syndicate iv. Technique of traders v. Govt

4.11 How do you know the market price of maize?

i. village traders ii. Commission agents iii. News papers iv. Friends & relatives v. Govt

vi. pre-harvest contractors vii. Fodder firm

4.12 Are you satisfied with the market price?

Yes No

If no, what is the price expected per quintal? Rs.

4.13 Please give details of the marketing costs :

S.No. Type of cost Cost per acre 1. Transport cost 2. Loading / unloading

3. Packing 4. Weighing charges 5. Commission / brokerage 6. Two

4.14 What are the most significant problems marketing of maize? (rank them in order of priority)

S.No. Nature of problems Response Rank 1. Lack of storage 2. Lack of transport 3. Lack of market 4. Lack of Information 5. Price fluctuations 6. Indebtness to traders7. Inadequate market finance 8. Absence of grading 9. Delay in auction 10. Delay in auction 11. Collusion among the traders 12. Any other problems

4.15 Give your suggestions for the improvement of maize cultivation?

Interview schedule for traders, whole salers and commission agents

1. Name 2. Address 3. Age 4. Education 5. Social status 6. Experience 7. Investment in maize trading Rs. 8. How do your purchase maize

i. Farmers house/field ii. Market iii. Any other 9. Purchase details

S.No. seasons quantity 1. p2. off

10. Terms of purchase

i. cash purchase ii. Credit purchase iii. Both

11. Mode of transport by

i. Lorry ii. Tractor iii. Mini lorry iv. Minivan

12. Marketing expenses of maize

S.No. Particulars Cost per 1. Packing 2. Loading 3. Transport 4. Unloading 5. Market fee 6. Establishment 7. Weighing charges 8. Travelling expenses 9. Total

13. Sales to i. Wholesalers ii. Industry iii. Customers iv. Export v. any other specify 14. Sales per month

i. Quantity ii. Price iii. Value 15. Do you sell on credit ? Yes No15.1. If yes, specify the period of credit 16. How do you fix selling price?

i. Market arrival ii. Market price trend iii. Demand & supply iv. Based on MSP 17. Do you have any problems uncounted at the time of purchase and sale?

Yes No

18. Any other relevant observations noted by the researcher