Economic Viability of Super Absorbent Polymer, Poultry Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer Integration in Groundnut Cultivation (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

Economic viability is a critical determinant for the adoption of improved input management strategies in groundnut cultivation, particularly under moisture-limited conditions. A field study was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2023 and 2024 to evaluate the economic performance of integrating super absorbent polymer (SAP) and poultry manure with the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers (RDF). The experiment comprised ten treatments laid out in a randomized block design, and economic indicators including cost of cultivation, gross returns, net returns, and benefit–cost (B:C) ratio were analysed. Results indicated that total cultivation cost increased with higher levels of SAP and poultry manure; however, integrated treatments substantially enhanced economic returns. The highest gross returns were recorded under 100% RDF + SAP 100% + poultry manure 100%, amounting to ₹236,517 in 2023 and ₹262,311 in 2024, driven by superior kernel yield. Net returns were maximized under 100% RDF + SAP 100%, reaching ₹134,354 in 2023 and ₹148,059 in 2024, indicating an optimal balance between input cost and yield gain. Benefit–cost analysis further confirmed that SAP-based treatments exhibited higher economic efficiency compared to manure-intensive combinations. Overall, the study demonstrates that SAP integration with RDF offers a profitable and economically efficient strategy, while combined use of SAP and poultry manure provides additional benefits in terms of yield enhancement.