Abstract
Horticultural sector has assumed ever-increasing importance in Jammu and Kashmir economy. In this regard, the present study was carried out to evaluate the cost and benefits received by the different groups of farmers in the Kulgam and Shopian district of Kashmir valley. For this purpose, data from 180 apple growers was collected through a structured questionnaire. Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) and Cobb-Douglas production function was run to obtain results. The finding indicated that the average profit received by the producer Rs. 350,695.48 on the apple cultivation while in case of different farmers, medium and large size farm owners were major beneficiaries. Furthermore, the findings indicate that in case of medium size and large farm owners, law of increasing returns to scale was operating while in case of small growers law of decreasing returns was operational. The findings indicate that farm size is key factor in the production efficiency of apple orchards. The significance of the study is that it will help to understand technical efficiency and operational conditions prevalent in the apple orchards.
Keywords: ever-increasing, production function, increasing returns, decreasing returns, production efficiency, technical efficiency, operational condition.