Impact of Human Labour on the Cost of Cultivation Expenses of Major Cereal Crops in India

Abstract

India's primary cereal crops—paddy (Oriza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and maize     (Zea mays L.) are highly dependent on labour from agricultural workers and are essential to the nation's agricultural economy. Owing to a lack of mechanisation in many areas, labour costs differ greatly depending on the area, size of the farm, and socioeconomic status. Exorbitant labour expenses primarily impact small and marginal farmers, diminishing their profitability and possibly impacting crop selection and food security. This study highlights how labour costs account for a sizeable portion of total agricultural expenses by examining the effect of labour costs on the cost of cultivating these crops across various Indian states. The study also looks at how mechanisation has been adopted unevenly, with some states reporting lower labour costs as a result of increased machinery use. This study indicates that the labour cost for cultivating paddy was highest in Assam (45%), while for maize (20%), it was highest in Andhra Pradesh (25%), and for wheat, in Bihar. Total labour cost was highest in Maize (₹2,3304) followed by Paddy (₹26,665), Wheat (₹13,960). This study suggested that mechanisation, wage standards, and labour management techniques could all help to reduce the high costs associated with using human labour to cultivate cereal crops.