Economic viability of dryland horticulture in rainfed vertisols - a study in southern Tamil Nadu.
Thilagavathi M., Siddeswaran K., Alagumani T.
Author Affiliation: Regional Research Station, TNAU, Aruppukottal, India.
Agricultural Economics Research Review : 58-62
Abstract : This paper examines the economic viability of growing fruit crops (ber, sapota, tamarind and mango) in rainfed vertisol areas in Tamil Nadu, India. Field data used in this study pertain to the rabi season of 1998-99. Sapota and ber trees produced higher yields than tamarind and mango. The sapota crops had the highest net present worth (Rs 154,843) due to its hardiness and drought tolerance. Investment costs were recovered in 2.83 years for ber crop, 7.4 years for sapota, 10.2 years for tamarind, and 11.8 years for mango.