Table 4.2 Use of Weedicides and Pesticides and Their Costs (Quantity in ml/acre, Cost in Rs/acre) Weedicide Pesticide Total Type of farmers Quantity Cost Quantity Cost Quantity Cost Marginal 342 47.70 335 172.27 677 219.54 Small 314 43.18 326 169.48 640 212.66 Medium 417 52.13 217 108.00 634 160.13 Large 333 48.83 363 156.67 696 205.10 Average 352 147.85 310 151.61 662 199.36 It is found that the average material costs per acre in the study area amounted to Rs 1770.96 and the cost of fertilizers alone accounted for more than 50 percent of it. Cost on seeds came up to 30 percent of the total material costs while the percentage shares of the costs of weedicides, insecticides and lime are estimated as 1.70, 8.56 and 6.70 respectively. Compared to marginal and large farmers, the per acre material costs of small and medium farmers are found to be higher. Relevant figures are given in table 4.3
