Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to analyse the influence of qualitative and quantitative attributes on farmland pricing behaviour in Katteri and Jagathala watersheds in the Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu. A total number of 120 respondents was contacted for the present study. The results obtained from the hedonic regression clearly demonstrated the influence of soil depth, soil wetness, percentage of crop lands, soil quality etc. on farmland prices. The choice variables viz. community housing, farm size, population change, population density and the interaction terms involving population density and soil quality did not show any significant impact on crop land price. The study further showed that the above variables explained 82 percent change in farmland price. The findings obtained would be useful for the land owners in making investment decisions on soil conservation based on the significance of the influencing variables on farmland price. The outcome of the research findings can be used in deciding the level of subsidies to be extended by the Government for conservation projects.

Keywords: Hedonic, Kattery and Jagathala watersheds, Silt Yield Index, Dummy variable