International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) [Vol-1, Issue-2, June- 2015] Page | 27 Production Economics of Mat-Sedges (Cyperus Tegetum Roxb.) Cultivation as Influnced by Water Management Practices for Economic Stability of Resource-Poor Rural People of West Bengal, India K. Jana 1 , S. K. Das 2 , A. M. Puste 3 1,2 Directorate of Research, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani- 741235, Nadia, West Bengal, INDIA 3 Department of Agronomy, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur- 741252, Nadia, West Bengal, INDIA Abstract— Mat-sedges are cultivated mostly by the resource-poor farmers in parts of West Bengal. Cultivation of mat- sedges provides a gainful employment to the rural economy, supplements the low income of the farmers and supports their livelihood. From the literature, preliminary survey and contact with the farmers at Sabong and Pingla of Paschim Medinipore district, where it is being widely cultivated mostly as mono-crop with poor management practices by the poor and marginal farmers, which resulted poor returns (Jana and Puste, 2012). Mandal (1986) reported that application of irrigation water according to physiological growth stages of the crop, particularly during the drier months for their growth and productivity. So, on the basis of this fact, a field experiment was conducted during 2006 (May) to 2008 (May) at farmer’s field at Bural under Sabong block of Paschim Medinipore district, West Bengal on clay loam soil. In this experiment annually 3 cuttings were taken, viz. at the end of kharif, winter and summer season, respectively. Regarding production economics, highest BCR value of 1.89 and 2.93 were obtained from the treatment W6 [W3 (Rainfed during kharif + 2 irrigations during winter + 3 irrigations during summer) + rice straw mulching during winter and summer season, respectively] during 1st and 2nd year, respectively. Conversely, the lowest BCR value of 1.11 and 1.97 were obtained with the treatment W2 (Rainfed during kharif + one life-saving irrigation during winter and summer, respectively) during 1st and 2nd year, respectively. Keywords— Mat-sedges cultivation, Production economics, Water management practices, Benefit-cost ratio (BCR), Economic stability and Employment opportunity of rural people. I. INTRODUCTION The major thrust falls on agricultural sector, being dominated by agriculture. But presently, agriculture is facing disguised and under employment problems. Growing of mat-sedges for mat making provides wonderful opportunity for the betterment of employment potential of rural people (Sarkar and Samanta, 1987). The culms of mat-sedges are split into two or three pieces, and then woven into mats. The mat manufacturing industry is still continued to villages of few district of Chennai (Madras), West Bengal and Kerala, needs more expansion to other parts of India, particularly for uplift of the resource poor rural people through income generation scheme. Plain white mat with or with-out coloured boarder made from culm of Cyperus tegetum Roxb. is known as Calcutta mat in foreign market and earn foreign money. Mats are generally woven by the aged family members of either sex of a farmer’s family and can earn a net income of Rs. 60 – 80/- per day from this job (Puste, 2004). Cyperus tegetum Roxb., which is abundantly found in India in marshy areas (Watt, 1889). Mat-sedges, a minor farm product are cultivated mostly by the resources-poor farmers in parts of West Bengal. It is mainly produced in Paschim Medinipur district (Sabong, Pingla and Narayangragh) and some areas of North 24 Parganas (Habra, Nagar Ukhra, Gaighta etc.). Cyperus tegetum Roxb. belongs to the family cyperaceae (Haines, 1962). The plant can thrive a wide range of agro-climatic conditions and occurs in marshy situations specially in Eastern and southern parts of India (Anonymous, 1929). The plant is capable of tolerating extremities such as prolonged submergence in water and extended drought conditions. Cyperus tegetum Roxb. differ from Cyperus corymbosus Rottb., locally named as ‘Korai’ which is used for mat making in Tamil Nadu (Amalraj, 1985) and having much more distinct glumes, which in the dried specimen have the margins incurred, not overlapping. 1. Economic importance: