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Abstract: The study was conducted to assess the economics of non-conventional oilseed crops in the Punjab. Therefore 60 respondents were taken from Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh and Chiniot districts of Central Punjab. Percent area allocated to canola crop was comparatively higher at medium farms as compared to small and large farms. The results of the study showed higher yield of canola at large farms as compared to medium and small farms. Average gross revenue by small, medium and large farmers was Rs. 35913.10, Rs. 39635.54 and Rs. 39868.80 acre-1 respectively. Average of net income by small, medium and large farmers was Rs. 21194.59, Rs. 20608.26 and Rs. 19956.50 respectively. Benefit cost ratio for small, medium and large farmers was 2.44:1.00, 2.08:1.00 and 2.00:1.00 respectively. The study revealed that canola production in Central Punjab is profitable enterprise. However, the profitability of canola at small farms was higher as compared to other farm size categories.
There is sharp increase in input prices from year to year basis while output prices remained same over the year. The Government should effectively control the input prices to avoid the exploitation of farmers. Extension efforts are required to disseminate suitable canola technologies including high yield, short duration varieties to maximize the returns of canola growers. Public efforts are urgently required to ensure timely disposal of canola produce and prompt payment.
Key Words: Non-conventional Crops; Canola; Economics; Small Growers; Medium Growers; Large Growers; Pakistan.
INTRODUCTION Pakistan has made a lot of progress since independence in the field of agriculture in terms of production, yield, and growth in area under cultivation. However, the country remained deficit in production/ productivity of oilseed crops (Badar et al., 2002).
The oilseed sector, owing to ever increasing consumption of edible oil, has attained critical importance in the economy of the country. Increasing demand owing to rapid population growth and fluctuating in domestic edible oil production base, the country has attained the status of the third largest importer of the edible oil in the world. Nearly 65-70% of its requirements are met through import of edible oil (Anjum, 1993).
In 2009 the local production of edible oil was 0.779 million tonnes (mt). To meet the domestic consumption, 1.29 mt of edible oil was imported and 0.216 mt of...