Comparative Economic Analysis of Cost and Returns of Organic and Inorganic Turmeric Production in Erode District of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

India is cultivated wide variety of spices with premium quality since ancient times. It is known as the ‘land of spices’. Turmeric is the ancient and sacred spice of India known as ‘Indian saffron’ is an important commercial spice crop grown in India. It finds a place in offerings on religious and ceremonial occasions from the ancient times in India. India shares around 79 percent of the global turmeric production. India has 238.0 thousand hectares under turmeric cultivation with a total production of 943.0 thousand tonnes and a yield of 4.8 tonnes per hectares during the year 2019-20. Erode district is one of the major turmeric growing district in Tamil Nadu. Turmeric produced in Erode district is sent throughout the country. It ranks first in area and production in the state followed by Salem and Erode districts. The specific objectives of the study were, to estimate the cost and return of Organic and Inorganic turmeric cultivation in the study area. The total cost of production of one quintal inorganic turmeric was Rs.4116.86 and the total cost of production of one quintal organic turmeric was Rs. 4489.60. The Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) value for organic turmeric cultivation was 1.77. It is higher than the Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) value of inorganic turmeric cultivation (1.58).