The present investigation was conducted on economics of cost of cultivation and return of barley and maize in Rajasthan. The study used the cost of cultivation data for the period from 2000-01 to 2015-16 compiled from various sources and publications for profitability analysis of barley and maize crop. In the present study, the cost C2 was considered for computing profitability. Net income and return per rupee invested on barley crop had increased while net income of maize was found to decrease and return per rupee invested was increased during the period TE 2003 to TE 2015. Farmer received ` 3.23 after spending one rupee on barley crop in TE 2015. Total cost per hectare at cost C2 for barley crop was found to be ` 15007.20 in TE 2003 and ` 48348.28 in TE 2013, it showed 222.16 per cent increase. Gross income from barley increased from ` 17179.07/hectare to ` 59900.87/hectare between TE 2003 to TE 2015 with 248.68 per cent increase in gross return. Return per rupee invested for maize crop was increased from ` 1.80 in TE 2003 to ` 2.53 in TE 2015. The cost of cultivation of maize crop at cost C2 increased from ` 13689.66/ha to ` 44301.40/ha which was 223.61 per cent increase between TE 2003 to TE 2015. Findings also showed that gross income increased from ` 10988.94/ha to ` 41601.89/ha between TE 2003 to TE 2015 for maize which showed 278.57 per cent increase in gross returns; whereas net income was observed to be decreasing for maize crop.

Highlights

• Barley crop was observed to be profitable to the farmers under all the parameters considered during the study period.
• Net income of maize was found to decrease during the study period. Therefore, proper processing and procurement policy for this crop grown by the farmers at should be implemented.
• Cost of cultivation increased for both crops. This needs proper management of agronomical practices to keep low production cost.