This study assesses the pursued impacts of Tulsi value chain development intervention on the 15 livelihoods of rural poor in Uttarakhand state of India. Tulsi as an alternative livelihood, particularly for 16 the rural poor, is less explored. With increased crop depredation of major cereal crops grown in the 17 district by wild animals and pests, and decreasing availability of water agriculture, attempts were made 18 to improve earnings from Tulsi as an alternative livelihood. Findings suggest that the average 19 households' gross profit from Tulsi farming increases by more than double within a span of two years. 20Total crop income of beneficiary farmers' increases by 0.8 percent for every 1 percent increase in Tulsi 21 income. Intervention helped enhance productivity of Tulsi, thereby enhancing earnings from Tulsi 22 farming. Most importantly, intervention has shown a tremendous adoption rate. Towards the end of the 23 intervention, the value chain work was out-scaled to another 19 villages in Chamoli district, thereby 24 reaching out to more than 400 households. 25 26 34 barley, maize, potatoes, paddy, and millet. Crops namely, wheat, rice, and maize account for more than 35 half of the dietary supply [3]. Hill agriculture has inherent constraints of remoteness and inaccessibility, 36 marginality and fragility in terms of moisture stress and the poor soil conditions and a short growing 37 season. Added to these are socio-economic constraints such as small holdings, poor productivity, poor 38 production management, labour shortages, poor post-production management, poor marketing and 39 networks and lack of entrepreneurship have led to under-utilisation of resource bases in the hills and 40 limited generation of surpluses [4]. In particular, rural agriculture in hills lack an established market for 41 agroforestry products, even though these products could be a significant source of additional income [5]. 42Besides, in parts of the HKH region, for example, the hilly districts of Uttarakhand state in India, 43 traditional crops grown also suffer from depredation by wild animals, depleting water agriculture, and 44 pest infestations. In the face of such vulnerabilities, provision of alternative livelihood options for the 45 poor and smallholder farmers becomes a high priority. At the same time mountains of KHK region are 46 endowed with an extensive variety of high value resources, including non-timber forest products 47 (NTFPs) and medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPS), which can be grown, harvested, and processed into 48 high value products [6]. 49 Ocimum Sanctum (Sanskrit: Tulasi [or Tulsi]; English: holy basil; family: Labiatae), one such 50 NTFP. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), an aromatic shrub, is a perennial plant with purple-pink flowers that 51 produces light lemon scent. Historically, it is known for its healing power that dates back over thousands 52 of years. The plant acts as a natural anti-stress agent and boosts immune system [7]. Tulsi is less water 53 intensive crop and is less affected by animal depreda...

The scope of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) as an alternative crop and means of livelihood, particularly for the rural poor, has not been extensively explored. Tulsi is in much demand for its medicinal and aromatic properties, particularly in Ayurveda. With increased depredation of cereal crops by wildlife, increased pest incidence, and decreasing availability of water for agriculture, an attempt was made to explore alternative livelihoods through Tulsi cultivation and value chain development. Using cross-sectional survey data of beneficiary households, the study employed the ordinary least squares method to examine the relationship between total crop income and the income from Tulsi for 2016 and 2017. The findings suggest that the average household’s gross profit more than doubled within a span of two years. Total crop income of beneficiary farmers increased by 0.8 percent for every 1 percent increase in income from Tulsi. Most importantly, the intervention has shown a tremendous adoption rate. Initially, in 2013, 200 farmers cultivated Tulsi on 8.72 hectors of unirrigated and fallow land in the five beneficiary villages, but by 2017, towards the end of the intervention period, 400 farmers were cultivating the crop on 19.6 hectors of unirrigated, fallow land in 19 villages in Chamoli District. Tulsi farming and value chain development intervention not only provided marginal and smallholder farmers in these villages with a sustainable alternative additional livelihood option but also an opportunity where they were able to sustainably generate income from unirrigated, fallow land.

The present study has been conducted to identify the sensitivity in the pre-dominant farming systems of Western plain zone of Uttar Pradesh (WPZ) considering the importance of gender specific technologies much needed for better efficiency and productivity of farming systems. Four pre-dominant farming systems have been identified in WPZ of Uttar Pradesh with the highest area share (57.1%) and highest farmer distribution (62.9%) in FS1: Crop + Dairy (1C+1-2B). The highest net return was found in FS2: Crop + Horticulture (Fruits) + Dairy (2C+ 1-2 B), whereas the lowest net return was noticed in FS3: Crop + Horticulture (Vegetables) + Dairy (1C + 1B). Load carrying through head load was found extensively performed by the women of FS3 followed by FS4: Horticulture + Crop + Dairy (1C+1B) and FS2 respectively. Chopper (hand tool) for chaff cutting, winnowing through natural wind, power operated winnowing without safety gadgets was performed in FS4 (33%), FS3 (22.8%) and FS4 (17%) respectively by family female workers. Threshing through hand beating was maximally performed by FS2 (81%) as hired female labour. Work involvement in farming system studies shows that female workers (family and hired) of FS3 contributed maximum (44.7%) followed by FS1 (41.5%). Also, the women participation index on drudgery prone activities was found highest amongst female workers (family and hired) of FS3 (87.8%) followed by FS1 (83.21%). The results indicate that FS3 may be tagged as sensitive farming system with respect to maximum number of female headed households contributing maximum work and hardships followed by FS1.