Cost and Profitability Analysis of Mango Cultivation: Evidence from South Konkan Region of Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Mango cultivation plays a significant role in the horticultural economy of Konkan region of Maharashtra and provides an important source of livelihood for farmers. The present study examines the cost structure and profitability of mango cultivation in the South Konkan region, comprising Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts. A multistage sampling design was adopted to select 120 mango growers from six tahsils and twelve villages. Primary data were collected through personal interviews using a structured and pre-tested interview schedule during the agricultural year 2023–24. Standard cost concept, namely Cost-A, Cost-B, and Cost-C, was employed to estimate the cost of cultivation and profitability. The results indicated that the total cost of cultivation (Cost-C) was ₹2,29,781 per hectare in Ratnagiri and ₹2,31,953 per hectare in Sindhudurg, with a regional average of ₹2,30,837 per hectare. Hired human labour, rental value of land, and amortization cost constituted the major components of total production cost. The average yield was 31.83 quintals per hectare, generating gross returns of ₹4,09,986 per hectare. The benefit-cost ratio over Cost-C was 1.78, indicating that mango cultivation in the South Konkan region is economically viable, with relatively higher profitability observed in Sindhudurg district.