Cost of Cultivation of horticulture crops and earning potential in India

30 June 2022, New Delhi: Horticulture crops are important crops for Indian farmers as they help him fetch high returns. The total area engaged under horticulture crop production in India in 2021-22 was 270.56 lakh hectares and total estimated production is about 330.25 lakh tonnes (1st advance estimates).

The cost of cultivation of a horticulture crops is quite high when done on a large commercial scale. If the farmer has market availability close to his field and has capability for short term storage, then he can earn good amount from horticulture crops.

The table below mentions average cost of cultivation for a few important horticulture crops like Tomato, Chili, Paprika, Capsicum, Brinjal, Bhendi, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Tapioca, Watermelon, Muskmelon, Ribbed Gourd, Bottle Guard, Gherkins, Turmeric, Coriander, Banana, Chrysanthemum, Golden rod.

Cost of cultivation of major horticulture crops grown in India (INR/Ha)

Crop	Field preparation	Nursery and planting / sowing	Weeding	Plant protection	Fertilizers	Wages	Staking, transport & other expenses	Total
Tomato	6,000	7,000	10,000	12,000	8,000	13,000	5,000	61,000
Chilli	6,000	7,000	10,000	12,000	6,000	5,000	–	46,000
Paprika	6,000	8,000	10,000	12,000	8,000	5,000	–	49,000
Capsicum	6,000	8,000	10,000	12,000	8,000	5,000	–	49,000
Brinjal	6,000	7,000	10,000	10,000	7,000	10,000	–	50,000
Bhendi	6,000	12,000	5,600	5,000	6,000	6,000	–	40,600
Cabbage	6,000	10,000	10,000	12,000	8,500	5,000	–	51,500
Cauliflower	6,000	10,000	10,000	12,000	8,500	5,000	–	51,500
Tapioca	6,000	5,000	8,000	2,000	3,000	6,000	–	30,000
Watermelon	6,000	10,000	10,000	8,000	8,000	8,000	–	50,000
Muskmelon	6,000	14,000	10,000	8,000	8,000	8,000	2,000	56,000
Ribbed gourd	6,000	8,000	8,000	8,000	7,000	5,000	–	42,000
Bottle gourd	6,000	8,000	8,000	8,000	7,000	5,000	–	42,000
Gherkins	6,000	8,000	7,000	9,000	7,000	6,000	5,000	48,000
Turmeric	6,000	10,000	8,000	8,000	8,000	5,000	–	45,000
Coriander	6,000	6,000	6,000	6,000	4,000	4,000	–	32,000
Banana	6,000	8,000	8,000	10,000	10,000	6,000	8,000	56,000
Chrysan-themum	6,000	15,000	8,000	10,000	9,000	7,000	–	55,000
Golden rod	6,000	30,000	10,000	10,000	11,000	10,000	–	77,000

It is also essential to know the earning potential from these crops as the cost of product fluctuates in the market daily due to various factors. The below table helps to understand net income from each of these crops with lowest market price expected. This will help farmers to take right decision before selecting his horticulture crops.

Net income from horticulture crops at lowest market price 

Crop	Cost of cultivation	Yield (MT/ha)	Net income (Rs.) (at the lowest price)	Market price range (Rs.)
Tomato	61000	50	39000 (@ Rs. 2/kg)	2 – 30/kg
Chilli	46000	22	64000 (@ Rs.5/kg)	5 – 15/kg
Paprika	49000	37	136000 (@ Rs. 5/kg)	5 – 20/kg
Capsicum	49000	18	95000 (@ Rs. 8/kg)	8 – 25/kg
Brinjal	50000	60	70000 (@ Rs. 2/kg)	2 – 30/kg
Bhendi	40600	10	19400 (@ Rs.6/kg)	6 – 15/kg
Cabbage	51500	75	173500 (@ Rs. 3/kg)	3 – 10/kg
Cauliflower	51500	32000 flowers	108500 (@ Rs. 5/flower)	5 – 15/flower
Tapioca	30000	30	54000 (@ Rs. 2.8/kg)	2.8 – 5/kg
Watermelon	50000	40	50000 (@ Rs. 2.5/kg)	2.5 – 10/kg
Muskmelon	56000	22	54000 (@ Rs.5/kg)	5 – 25/kg
Ribbed gourd	42000	20	38000 (@ Rs. 4/kg)	4 – 15/kg
Bottle gourd	42000	40	78000 (@ Rs. 3/kg)	3 – 15/kg
Gherkins	48000	20	72000 (@ Rs. 6/kg)	6 – 12/kg
Turmeric	45000	5	55000 (@ Rs. 2000/Q)	2000 – 4000/Q
Coriander	32000	87000 bundles	55000 (@ Rs. 1/bundle)	1 – 2/bundle
Banana	56000	75	319000 (@ Rs. 5/kg)	5 – 12/kg
Chrysanthemum	55000	20	245000 (@ Rs. 15/kg)	15 – 25/kg
Golden rod	77000	15000 bunches	73000 (@ Rs. 10/bunch)	10 – 14/bunch

The above table will help to understand the highest and the lowest market rate. Horticulture crops must be selected keeing your local weather in mind as it is difficult to cultivate then in expreme high tempertures. It is also essential to know that you will be able to sell the final produce in your nearest market or not. Sometimes farmer grow ex exotic crop like black wheat or baby corn but there is no buyer in the local market to buy their produce.