Economics for quality seed production of berseem (Trifolium AlexandrinumLinn.)

Fodder is found as one of the important constraints in rearing the animals. Purchasing fodder and then feeding to the animals is not found economical. Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum Linn) is an important fodder crop and the quality seed of is in great demand in the market especially from the northern India. It is very high yielding fodder crop and can give 1000 to 1100 quintals of green fodder in one season only. 5–6 cuttings of green fodder can be taken from it. The cost of production analysis of Berseem was done at IGFRI Jhansi with the commercial variety Wardan in the year 2010 and 2011. The rate for pure seed was considered as Rs 100 per kilogram in year 2010 and Rs 120 per kilogram in year 2011. First cost of production is calculated over individual farms then the data are converted into per hectare basis. The share of variable cost and fixed cost n total cost is 79.54 percent and 11.37 percent respectively. The average total cost is found as Rs 45616.65 per hectare. Average ungraded seed production was 202.50 kg. The average rate of ungraded seed is found as Rs 85.79 per kilogram. The total quality seed come out is 164.12 kg and the total of waste seed as 30.93 kg and 8.76 kg as straw. The average total return is found as Rs 69036.96 per hectare and the total cost after processing is Rs 46430.44. The average net return is found as Rs 26262.14 and the benefit cost ratio as 1.57. The benefit cost ratio calculated on variable cost basis is 2.00. Thus, it is clear from the study that if there is market for the sale of green fodder derived from various cuttings, the Berseem seed production is highly profitable.