No abstract

Essential oil production from Wild Marigold (Tagetes minuta L.) crop in selected locations of Himachal Pradesh has become a popular practice for gaining additional income and employment in farm sector. The study presents economics of essential oil production having components of cultivation and oil distillation in Himachal Pradesh, being practiced by the local farmers. Cost of cultivation for the average herbage yield of 200 qs was worked out to be Rs. 42,497/ha/crop season. Cost of oil production and net returns were determined as Rs. 1,175.28/kg oil and Rs. 41,236/ha/season, respectively. T. minuta oil production was not only techno-economically feasible but also a remunerative venture with a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1.70, payback period of 4.24 years (8.48 seasons), break even production at 31 kg oil and rate of return on total capital at 15.78 % as found out from the study.