Importance of vegetable farming in the region of smallholding agriculture: a study in Malda district of West Bengal

The present study tries to assess the importance of vegetable farming in improving the economic and nutritional status of the farmers’ family. For this, a primary survey has been conducted in Malda district of West Bengal in 2018. A total of 360 farmers (180 vegetable growers and 180 non-vegetable growers) were randomly selected from three different regions of the district and interviewed. Simple statistical techniques were used to analyze the data. Independent sample T-test has revealed the fact that the farmers who engaged in vegetable farming have a relatively higher daily intake of vegetables and better health status compared to that non-vegetable farmers group. The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of selected vegetables and cereals crops proved the fact that vegetable farming gives higher economic return and employment opportunities. However, the post-harvest loss due to the poor storage facility and market infrastructure and price instability due to unregulated market policy at the ground level often ruins vegetable farmer. Hence, the study concludes that vegetable farming should be promoted as it has the potential to give both economic as well as nutritional security to the farmers but prior to that special attention should be paid to minimise the post-harvest losses.