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Research Article
SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FENNEL GROWERS IN
BHARATPUR DISTRICT OF RAJASTHAN
Shivraj Singh Dhakad1*, Dr. R.K. Kulshreshtha2, Rohit Kumar Sharma3
1
M.Sc. (Ag.) Agricultural Economics 2 Assistant Professor
Department of Agricultural Economics, RBS, College, Bichpuri,
Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
3
Ph.D. scholar, ABM, IABMI, Anand, Gujarat
shivrajdhakad098@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The study was primarily based on primary data, the size of holding varied from farmer to farmer.
Hence, a purposive non-random sampling was adopted for the present study. Total numbers of
sample farms 46 from different categories were selected purposively from Veerampura (Bayana)
villages of Bharatpur District of Rajasthan under diversified agro-climatic conditions of fennel
have given encouraging results over farmers practice and have potential to perform well in flood
prone eastern plain zone 3B of Rajasthan. The seed spices occupy an important position in earning
of foreign exchange. A large number of spices are grown in India. During 2019-20, production of
seed spices in India's was 9.4 million metric tons respectively. Present study is conducted during
the year 2020-21. In this research paper an attempt has been made to study the size of land holding,
family composition, economy status, educational level and farm fixed & variable investments.
This research paper also deals with the cost incurred in growing of fennel on farm of different size
along with the various cost concepts. However, it was recovered by increasing gross and net return
substantially and resulted in more benefit cost ratio.The use of improved production technologies
with timely systematic management would increase productivity of fennel. This will substantially
increase the income as well as the livelihood of the farming community who are mainly associated
with this crop. This study is conducted for estimate the socio-economic status of fennel growers
and also estimate the cost and returns from fennel production in different farm size groups in study
area.
KEYWORDS: Spices, Fennel crop, socio economic, cost of cultivation, fixed assets, returns.
Citation
Shivraj Singh Dhakad1*, Dr. R.K. Kulshreshtha2, Rohit Kumar Sharma3 . Socio-Economic Status
of Fennel Growers in Bharatpur District of Rajasthan. Scientist. 2023;2(1):217-222.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7552174
Competing Interest: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.
Data Availability: All relevant data are within the paper and its supporting information files.
INTRODUCTION
India has been known from time immemorial times as the “land of spices”. India had a virtual
dominance in the international spices trade. Agriculture plays a vital role in the Indian economy.
Agriculture sector employ 58.2 per cent of the total workforce. This sector supplies bulk of raw
materials required by the non-agricultural sectors and raw material for a large section of
industry.Horticulture, being one of the important sectors of Indian agriculture, plays an important
role in the economy of the country. There are several horticulture crops suitable for almost all the
agro-climatic zones of the country. Agriculture employed more than 50℅ of the Indian work force
and contributed 19.9percent to country's GDP [1]. In 2019 agriculture and allied sectors like
animal husbandry, forestry and fisheries accounted for 15.4% of the GDP with about 41.49percent
of the workforce in 2020. Currently horticulture contributes 30.04 percent of agricultural GDP.

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Country has emerged as the world's largest producer of mango, banana, coconut cashew and spices.
India still continues to be the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices in the world. It
produced 5.80 million tonnes of spices on an area of 3.10 million hectares. India commands leading
position in world spices trade with 48 percent (502750 tonnes) share in volume and 43 percent
(5560.5 crores) in value. The seed spices export from India has registered an all time high both in
term of quantity (142300 tonnes) and value (985.58 crores). The major markets for different seed
spices are USA, UAE, UK and South Africa [3]. Thus, spices occupy an important position in
earning of foreign exchange. A large number of spices are grown in India. Out of the 109 spices
listed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), India produces as many as 63
owing to its varied agro climatic regions. Almost all the States and Union territories (UTs) of the
country grow one or the other spices. It is a source livelihood and employment for large number
of people in the country, both for rural population, who grow them, and the urban population, who
process and trade in them. Out of the total 63 spices grown in India, 20 are classified as seed spices
with 36 per cent share in area and 17 per cent share in production of total spice in India. Main seed
spices of India are coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, dill, ajwain, celery, anise nigella and
caraway. Seed spice crops are extensively cultivated in the arid and semi arid region of India during
rabi season covering an area of 12.20 lakh hectare with production of 10.58 lakh tones annually.
Global fennel production data showing each of the countries producing this commodity is not
available. Based on the available information, India is believed to be the world’s largest fennel
producing country. The area under fennel production in India is estimated at 90,000 hectares,
yielding 149,000 tons in 2017-20[2].Fennel (Foeniculumvulgare Miller) plant is stout, aromatic
annual herb of family Apiaceae and commonly known as saunf. The plant is pleasantly aromatic
and different parts of the plant viz., leaves, stalks, bulbs and seeds are edible. The plants are annual,
biennial or perennial aromatic herb. Fennel seeds are aromatic with a pleasant taste and widely
used for flavouring and garnishing material in culinary preparation. It is also used for chewing.
Fennel is used against the diseases like cholera, biliousness, dysentery, diarrhoea, cough, cold,
constipation. They are used against diseases affecting chest, spleen, kidney and cure of cholic pain.
Seeds are rich in protein (9.5%), minerals (13.4%) and vitamins such as vitamin A, C, Thiamine,
Riboflavin, and Niacin.The seeds contain essential oil, which is used as flavouring agent in
manufacturing of pickles, cakes perfumes, soap, liquors and cough drop. Its seeds contain 0.7 to
1.9 % volatile oil. The chief constituent of oil is an ethyl (50-70%). The volatile oil is used for
manufacturing cordials and fennel water which is given to infants as medicine. Fennel and its oil
both stimulate aromatic and stop flatulence.
Its decoction is given to women for blood purification and uterus clearing.Fennel have smaller
amounts of many other nutrients. On a weight basis, fennels contain more calcium (49 mg/100
gm) as compared with apples (7.14 mg/100 g), bananas (3.88mg/100gm), dates (25.mg/100gm)
grapes (10.86 mg/100 gm), orange (40.25 mg/100 gm),prunes (18.0mg/100gm) raisins (40.0
mg/100 gm) and strawberries (14.01 mg/10 g). Phenolic are an important constituent of fruit
quality because of their contribution to the taste, colour, and nutritional properties of fruit.
Amongst the phenolic analysed in the fruit of this plant are nonchromogenic acid (1.40%),
chlorogenic acid (2.98%), gallic acid (0.169%), chlorogenic acid (6.873%), caffeic acid (2.960%),
p-coumaric acid (4.325%), ferulic acid-7-o-glucoside (5.223%), quercetin-7-o-glucoside
(3.219%), ferulic acid (3.555%), 1,5 dicaffeoylquinic acid (4.095%), hesperidin (0.203%),
cinnamic acid (0.131%),rosmarinic acid (14.998%), quercetin (17.097%) and apigenin (12.558%),
[9].

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MATERIAL AND METHODS

The present study is based on primary as well as secondary data. The study information were
collected through survey method by personal interview of the sample farmers with the help of
pretested schedule. The study confined to the Bayana Block of Bharatpur District of Rajasthan. At
the first stage of sampling one village Veerampura was selected purposively for the purpose of
study. At the second and final stage of selection of the list of cultivators was taken from (Khasara-
Khatoni record) of tehsil along with their size of holding.Then Village Development Officer was
consulted to know the extent of area under fennel cultivation during the year 2020-21. All the
farmers in the village grow high yielding varieties of fennel. The number of cases falling in the
different farm size groups came to 26 in marginal, 24 in small and 22 in medium and 20 in large
farm size groups. About 50 percent cases were selected. Thus the final sample comprises of 13 in
marginal, 12 in small, 11 in medium and 10 in large farm size groups.
RESULTS
Socio-economic status of farmers is a combined measurement of social and economic position of
an individual or a group in relation to others in the society. The analysis of socio-economic factors
may furnish a base for further planning and development of agriculture Socio-economic status of
fennel growers have been determined through various parameters, which have highlighted, like
average land holding, age wise family composition, economic status, educational status, fixed
assets per farm and per hectare. The results of all these parameters have been presented in Table-
1.
Size of Land Holding-Land is the main resource base of the farmer in the production process. The
economic and social progress of the households largely depends on the size of operation holdings.
The land resources viz. soil, water, natural vegetation, minerals etc. have been transported in to
economic goods and services with the help of labour and capital inputs. Since, these resources
have been observed to be relatively more scarce, optimum benefit depends on their efficient use
by the farmer. Keeping in view the significance of land resources the average size of holding on
different farms size groups of sample farmers have been worked out and are presented in Table 1.
The table 1 indicates that the overall average size of farm came to 2.14hectarearea. It was 0.67,
1.31, 2.72 and 4.41 hectare in marginal, small, medium and large farm size group respectively. It
can be seen from the table that about 13 marginal farmers occupied about 8.84 percent of the total
area while about 10 large farmers were in possession of only 44.74 percent large farmers. The
findings are in line with the findings of [8].
Family Composition-In agriculture the family workers play an important role in enhancing farm
income with its proper utilization. The family composition and family size have an important role
the utilization of farm labour, because in modern agriculture, proper use of available farm
resources at proper time is essential in enhancing farm and ultimately the income. The availability
of family farm labour for the farm use depends up on the size and composition of family. Farm
family size depends the number of male, female and children and ultimately the size of family as
indicated by table 1. The table 1 revels that overall average size of family worked out to 5.43
members per family, which varies from 4.69 in marginal, 5.08 in small, 5.18 in medium and 7.10
members per family in large farm size group. The table further reveals that number of male per
farm worked out be 2.16, 2.42, 2.35, and 3.60 in marginal, small, medium and large farm size
groups respectively. The proportion distribution of male to the total family member was highest
in large farm size group followed by marginal, small and medium farm size groups. The male
members, who were supposed to be the working force contributed on an average about 47.61
percent while female and children were 34.00and 18.75 percent respectively. Proportion of

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children in the family as highest in medium farm size group followed by marginal, small and large
farm size groups. [6]recorded similar instability in the area of ginger during 2010-11 to 2019-20
period.
Economic Status-In general, standard of living is directly related with the earning of the family,
which is supposed to be related with the number of earner in a family, affecting the farm business.
Hence an attempt has been made to study the composition of labour force in the households. The
economic status denotes the number of earners, dependents and helpers per family. Those who
work full time to earn and contribute to family income have been included in the category of
earners, who work partly to supplement the earning of the family are included in the category of
earning dependents and those who make no contribution in the earning of the family are kept under
the category of depended. The table 1 shows the economy status of selected households in
different farming systems groups. The table reveals that the overall number of earners, dependents
and helpers was 1.87, 2.39 and 1.71 respectively. Within the size groups the number of earners
was the highest on large farms groups. While proportion of the decreases with the increase in farm
size. The table also reveals that the proportion of helper in the family was highest in small farm
size group i.e. 24.60 percent followed by 21.32, 19.21 and 21.13 on marginal, medium and large
farm. Dependent per earner estimated in the table represents the earner in the family.[5] also
recorded a significant growth rate in economic status of Fennel in Sikar district of Rajasthan.
Educational Status-The literacy status affects the farmer’s response to improved technology as
the enlightened farmer are supposed to be more responsive. This is especially true of dairy farming
which warrants a better quality of managed inputs than ordinary crops farming. The percentage
distribution of family members in sample households according to their literacy status has been
computed for different farm size groups and is shown in table 1. Table 1shown the literacy
percentage of the farm family heads in different farming system groups. The table reveals that
overall illiterate percent as there was only 17.68 percent of the member of sample farm families
were illiterate. Literacy percentage was found maximum in case of marginal farms followed by
small, medium and large farm size group. Among the overall literates, percentage of the primary,
high school, graduate and others was about 23.20, 26.89, 25.59 and 6.64 percent respectively.
Farm Resources-The structure of farm resource here refers to their distribution in different groups
according to farm size with the different levels of mechanization. The success of farming mostly
depends on the availability of fixed capital on the farm. The type of crop grown is influenced by
the availability of capital. Thus the fixed capital is an important factor of production, which varies
from farm to farm depending up on size of farm business. Capital is used in different forms for
various agricultural operations and has been dealt separately. However, for working out capital
use per farm, durable assets like value of livestock, value of implements and machinery, farm
building was taken in to consideration but value of land is not include for further analysis as it is
mostly inherited.
Fixed Assets per Farm-Value of fixed assets per farm on different farm size groups classified
under livestock, farm building and implements and machinery were estimated and have been
presented in table 1. Inclusion of land would have made the comparison less sensitive with respect
to other assets. In the same way residential house have also been excluded from the fixed
investment. Table 1 depicts that the average per farm value of assets excluding land amounted to
Rs. 217731.12 varying from Rs. 177722.92 in marginal to Rs. 227360.67 In small to Rs. 166876.37
in medium and Rs. 314126.50 in Large farm size groups.

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Table - 1: Socio-Economic Status of the Fennel Growers (N-46)

S.No. Particulars Different categories of farmers
Marginal Small Medium Large Overall
1. Land Holding in Hect.
Sample size 13 12 11 10 46
Total Area 8.70 15.75 29.95 44.05 98.45
Average Holding 0.67 1.31 2.72 4.41 2.14
2. Family Composition
Childrens Male 0.62 0.50 0.64 0.7 0.61
(0 - 18 years)
Childrens Female 0.46 0.32 0.64 0.2 0.41
(0 - 18 years)
Middle Male 1.54 1.50 1.44 2.5 1.72
(18-40 year)
Middle Female 0.69 0.92 0.73 1.7 0.98
(18-40 year)
Old Male 0.62 0.92 0.91 1.1 0.86
(Above 40 year)
Old Female 0.76 0.92 0.82 0.9 0.85
(Above 40 year)
Total 4.69 5.08 5.18 7.1 5.43
3 Economics Status of Family
Earner 1.54 1.41 1.72 3.0 1.87
Dependents 2.15 2.42 2.46 2.6 2.39
Helpers 1.00 1.25 1.00 1.5 1.17
Total 4.69 5.08 5.18 7.1 5.43
4 Educational Status
Illiterate 0.69 0.92 1.09 1.2 0.96

Primary 1.31 1.25 1.18 1.30 1.26

H.S. 1.08 0.92 1.91 2.10 1.46
Graduate 1.38 1.33 0.73 2.20 1.39
Other 0.23 0.66 0.27 0.3 0.36
Total 4.69 5.08 5.18 7.10 5.43
5. Fixed Assets per farm
Valueof building 27307.69 44416.67 42454.55 74200.00 45586.96
Machinery &Implement 46876.77 70119.00 29609.64 107226.50 61928.94

Value of livestock 103538.46 112825.00 94818.18 132700.00 110215.22

Total 177722.92 227360.67 166876.37 314126.50 217731.12

6. Fixed Assets per Hectare

Value of Building 40804.60 33841.27 15592.65 16844.49 21300.15

Machinery & Implement 70045.75 53424.00 10872.79 24341.99 28935.82

Value of Live Stock 154712.65 85961.91 34824.71 30124.86 51497.21

Total 265563.00 173227.18 61290.15 71311.34 101733.18

An average investment on building occupies the maximum percentage to the total fixed investment
followed by machinery and implements. The percent share of farm building, implements &

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machinery and livestock were 20.94, 28.44 and 50.62 percent respectively. Within the different
farm size groups the total value of fixed assets varies directly with the farm size.[4] also recorded
a significant rate of fixed assets per farm “On-farm Assessment of Technological Innovation of
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare mill) Cultivation’’.
Fixed Assets per Hectare-Per hectare value of fixed assets on different farm size groups were
estimated and have been presented in table 1.Table 1 indicate the per hectare value of fixed assets
possessed by the different categories of sample farms in the study area. The table 1 reveals that the
per hectare value of fixed assets including farm building, machinery & implements and livestock
was estimated to be Rs. 101733.18 on marginal, small, medium and large farm value of total fixed
capital per hectare was about Rs. 235563.00, Rs.173227.18, Rs. 61290.15 and Rs. 71311.34
respectively. Table 1 further reveals that the per hectare value of implement and machinery reverse
associated with the farm size, as the farm size increase the value of implements and machinery
decrease while the value of livestock showed also the reverse trend. Proportionate share of the
total value of fixed assets was higher on marginal farms. This clearly depicts the higher level of
mechanization on the marginal farms.[7] also recorded a significant rate of fixed assets in
‘Adoption of Recommended Production Technology of Fennel Cultivation by the Farmers in
Nagaur District of Rajasthan’.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author thanks the Department of Agricultural Economics, RBS, College, Bichpuri, Agra
for giving research material and funds for this research work.
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