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

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: Except mat making species, several of these are edible. Other offered aromatic tubers, which are employed on account of that property in perfumery. It is used in dyeing and in medicine eg., Cyperus nundates Roxb. Besides mat making, Cyperus sp. Is also used for different purposes. The tubers are used as a diaphoretic and astringent. The tubers are used for the preparation of tonic and stimulating medicine. 

2. Value added products from mat-sedges: Several valuable decorative products (>50 types, viz. different types of windows screen, ladies & gents bag, mobile & cover file, hats, water carrying bags, money purse, shoes, pen stand, flower vas etc.) other than mattress are being made, which are now exported to foreign countries and marketed in the different parts of the country. It is an alternative good source of economic return, which may able to improve their livelihood.

 3. Utility :  In hot humid climate like our country, mats are very comfortable when spread over the hot, cold or damp earthen or cemented floor, or even on cotton beddings, as they are bad conductors of heat. These are also easy accessible to the common people of our country, because it is comparatively cheaper, can afford even by poor section of the people. A single mat more or less it lasts about 3-4 years at a stage of use. Now a days, most decorative with colourful mats are available in the market are used in most religious and ritual functions of our country (Puste, 2004). 

4. Agro-Economics : The marginal and sub-marginal lands along with cultivable wastelands may be profitably used for its cultivation. Good quality lands are more suitable for growing of important economic crops. But the poor quality lands are kept vacant for a greater part of the year owing to a large number of agro-economics factors. Introduction of mat-sedges cultivation on such poor type of lands would go a long way in achieving economic well being of the farmers. Moreover, its cultivation is remunerative with the least investment in contrast to the cultivation of other crops like paddy, wheat etc. on per unit area. The ratoon (regeneration) crop also succeeds for 5 to 6 years with successive returns and even it may continue to produce economically for 10 to 15 years under better management practices. The mats are generally used for sitting as well as bedding purposes. In hot climate mats are very comfortable because of their heat non-conducting properties and ability to absorbed sweating. A common mat generally cost of Rs. 50 to Rs. 80/-. while, a designed and embroidered mat cost of Rs. 300 to Rs. 2000/-. In rural areas of Paschim Medinipur have gained wide popularity and even enjoyed president’s Award for its quality and artistic work. The profit under good management conditions may be much higher than a farmer can get by growing two crops of rice per annum. Growing of raw materials including processing, drying and bundling of harvested culms is very labour intensive. The splitted and dried mat-stick may be immediately used for making mat or may be kept for use in the off time of the season, when there is no other farming operations (Anonymous, 1988). Even an older man or woman in rural areas can earn a net income of about Rs. 60 to Rs. 80/- per day. In low-lying situations in the Eastern region, the productivity of rice is not high and utilization of land by growing mat-sedges for mat making provide an alternative use of such marshy areas, accuring more profit and employment to the rural people. After full establishment of this crop in the field, it may possible to take 3 cuttings for their economic return. Annually 3 cuttings are taken, viz. first cutting in the end of September (kharif), second in the end of January (winter) and lastly third cutting in the end of May (summer). Three-season’s mat-sedges crops are cultivated, viz. kharif season (June to end of September) and subsequent winter season (October to end of January) and summer season (February to end of May) (Jana and Puste, 2012). 

From their practice, it proven that this crop is raised as part their traditional practice without much care. The production of sedges for mat making is not posing a technically sound practice at present, needs improvised agro-techniques including selection of rhizomes (Planting materials), better soil condition, transplanting, proper mid-term care, application of manures and fertilizers, water management practices including life-saving irrigation, need based plant protection measures, well enable to raise the production of sedges more than two folds with better quality. Specifically, application of irrigation during drier months of the year improved growth and productivity of mat-sedges (Jana and Puste, 2012).