Programmes and Schemes >> Directorate of Economics & Statistics & Agriculture Census >>

The Scheme envisages collection of representative data on inputs and outputs in physical and monetary terms, compilation and supplying the estimates of cost of cultivation per hectare and cost of production per quintal of the selected crops to CACP every year on a continuing basis.

The main component of the Comprehensive Scheme for studying the cost of cultivation of principal crops was initiated in 1970-71 on the recommendations of the standing Technical Committee on Indices of Inputs Costs with a view to fulfill the requirements of data for formulating the agricultural price and other agro economic policies.  The scheme also covers the additional components (i) Coverage of Arecanut in Karnataka (ii) Coverages of Fruits, Vegetables and other perennial crops in Kerala and other States and (iii) Strengthening of Central Analytical Unit (CAU) at the Directorate of Economics and Statistics.  The scheme is being implemented in 16 states through Agricultural/General Universities and covers 29 crops for which estimates of cost of cultivation and production are being compiled under this scheme.  Under the scheme, the field data pertaining to the cost of cultivation/production is collected, compiled and tabulated by different Implementing Agencies.  The data is checked, corrected, validated, given appropriate rates and weights and computed into field-wise, crop-wise and state-wise cost estimates by Directorate of Economics & Statistics before these are supplied to CACP to recommend the MSP to the Government of India.