Economic analysis of production of major medicinal crops
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Abstract
(Abstract selected from presentation in National Conference on Biodiversity of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Collection, Characterization and Utilization, held at Anand, India during November 24-25, 2010)
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Looking to the rapid increase in consumption of medicinal plant products, its commercial cultivation and export markets, the present investigation was undertaken with a view to examine the economic viability of the selected medicinal crops viz., isabgol, senna, coleus and ajowan grown in Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat state. In all, 200 farm households were selected randomly from 10 villages selected purposively from four talukas of Junagadh, Jamnagar and Kutch districts for the year 2006- 07. The study revealed that the average total cost of cultivation of isabgol, senna, coleus and ajowan were Rs. 16469, Rs. 8224, Rs. 46205, and Rs. 15204 per hectare, respectively, while the net return realized per hectare was Rs. 11101, Rs. 4200, Rs. 112216 and Rs. 23704 in respective crops. The cost of production per quintal in case of isabgol, senna, coleus and ajowan was found about Rs. 1818, Rs. 701, Rs. 356 and Rs. 1696, respectively, while the average farm harvest prices obtained per quintal were Rs. 3043.05, Rs. 1058.26, Rs. 1221.66 and Rs. 4342.41 in respective crops. The input-output ratios over cost were 1.67, 1.51, 3.43 and 2.56 in case of isabgol, senna, coleus and ajowan, respectively. The medicinal crops cultivation is economically viable and can generate handsome income to the farmers with less investment and efforts. Thus, cultivation of selected medicinal crops was found remunerative to the growers. In respect of constraints price fluctuations and high charges of transportation were major the issues faced by nearly two-thirds of medicinal crops growers. Lack of trading facilities of senna crop through regulated markets was the major bottleneck felt by all the farmers. More than 75% medicinal crops growers faced the problem of lack of storage facilities.
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