Economic of ashwagandha as influenced by sowing methods and organic sources of nutrients

Abstract

Medicinal plant cultivation is becoming a tool for diversification of Indian agriculture as many farmers have been looking for some better alternative to diversify from traditional agriculture due to gradual reduction in profit, decline in productivity and increased incidence of diseases and pests. Cultivation of medicinal plants, especially high value medicinal plants is creating new dimension in the field of agriculture. The maximum cost of cultivation was found with raised bed method followed by ridge and furrow method and flat bed method, respectively. High gross return was gained by raised bed sowing method and in case of organic sources of nutrient, application of FYM @ 15 t ha-1 gave highest gross return. Raised bed sowing method was gained maximum net return and similar trends were found with B:C ratio.