The present investigation was undertaken to study about costs and returns from the cultivation of cauliflower in Sikar district of Rajasthan. In this study, primary data were collected from the selected cauliflower cultivators through personal interview method with the help of pre- structured schedule. The study concluded that, on an average, total costs of cauliflower cultivation was estimated at ` 79786 per hectare. Out of which, overall total operational costs were observed as ` 55718 per hectare (i.e., 69.83 percent of total costs). It was decreased with the increase in farm size holdings whereas, total fixed costs were calculated at ` 24068 per hectare which accounts for 30.17 per cent of total costs. It was found positive relationship with the size of farms holdings. Total cost of cultivation of cauliflower was highest on medium farms (` 91764) and lowest on marginal farms (` 77511). The results also revealed that major components of cost of cauliflower cultivation were found human labour with ` 22482 per hectare followed by rental value of owned land (` 21265 per hectare), cost of manure (` 10340 per hectare) and cost of improved seed (` 9498 per hectare). The results of study indicated that overall gross returns obtained from cauliflower cultivation were ` 243275 per hectare. Gross returns were found to be highest (` 286750 per hectare) on medium farm and lowest (` 231250 per hectare) on marginal farms. On an average, cost of production in cauliflower was estimated at ` 670. The cost of production was found maximum (` 682 per quintal) on marginal farms and minimum (` 651 per quintal) on medium farms. It was decreased with increase in the farm size groups. It was observed that, an overall return per rupee earned from cauliflower cultivation was ` 2.77. Among the farm size groups, return was estimated as ` 2.71, ` 2.82, ` 2.83 and ` 2.84 per rupee on marginal, small, semi-medium and medium farm, respectively.

Highlights

• Total cost of cultivation of cauliflower was highest on medium farms (` 91764) and lowest on marginal farms (` 77511).
• Gross returns were found to be highest (` 286750 per hectare) on medium farm and lowest (` 231250 per hectare) on marginal farms.
• Overall return per rupee earned from cauliflower cultivation was ` 2.77.