Optimizing Resource Use for Sustainable Profitability in Protected Cucumber Cultivation: Insights from Haryana, India

The study analyses the profitability and resource use efficiency of protected cucumber cultivation in Kaithal, Haryana, using Benefit-cost ratio (BCR=۱.۶۲) and Cobb-Douglas production function with marginal value productivity. The statistical analysis assured the soundness of the model, with high explanatory value of R۲ = ۰.۷۰۱, adjusted R۲ = ۰.۶۶۸ and F-statistic value of ۲۱.۱۰. From the resource use estimation, Irrigation was underutilized with MVP/MPC ratio of ۱.۲۰۴, and other inputs have ratio below unity showing overuse. The combined returns to scale (RTS = ۱.۶۷) showed the responsiveness of output to input change. Based on the findings, study recommends the reallocation of resources to attain optimum input use like increase in irrigation and cut the overuse of other inputs can help in attaining higher profitability, input efficiency and sustainability of protected cucumber cultivation. Whereas higher benefit cost ratio can attract more farmers in adoption of protected cucumber cultivation. These recommendations directly emerge from the quantitative results, highlighting the importance of efficient resource management for improving farmer income and long term viability of protected cucumber cultivation.

کلیدواژه ها:

Input Efficiency ، Cobb-Douglas Production Function ، Marginal Value Productivity ، Protected Horticulture