Cost of cultivation in select vegetable crops in Dharmapuri District of Tamilnadu
V. Pounraj1* and R. Kumar2
1*,2Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu – 608002 (India) * Address for Correspondence : V. Pounraj Research Scholar, Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu – 608002 (India) Email: pounraj369@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The horticulture sector is receiving a high priority in rural economy. Tamil Nadu is a prominent horticulture producer in India, contributing significantly to national production with a mix of fruits, vegetables, spices, and more. The state’s diverse agro-climatic conditions, along with available wastelands, support a wide range of horticultural crops. Horticulture in Tamil Nadu is not only a source of food but also has the potential for economic benefits, including export earnings. Globally India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables; Objective To study was to analysis the Cost of Cultivation in Select Vegetable Crops in Dharmapuri District of Tamil Nadu. To find the constraints in production and Marketing of Select Vegetable Crops in Dharmapuri District of Tamil Nadu.; Conclusion The study brings to light the economic disparities in cultivating select vegetable crops beetroot, carrot, and radish in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. Among these, carrot cultivation stands out as the most economically viable, yielding the highest net income of Rs. 2,17,700 per acre, driven by strong market prices and moderate input costs. Beetroot, while profitable (Rs. 86,800 net income), suffers from high irrigation expenses, limiting its competitiveness. Radish, though requiring the least investment, yields the lowest returns (Rs. 12,500), revealing its limited profitability under existing conditions. Despite uniform yields across crops (6 tonnes per acre), market price variations and input efficiency are key profitability drivers. The study also highlights serious constraints affecting production, such as seasonal labour shortages, pest infestations, high input prices, and delays in input supply. These challenges contribute to elevated production costs and reduced farm efficiency