Varietal Preferences and Adoption Pattern of Economically Viable Medicinal and Aromatic Crops by the Indian Farmers

Abstract

Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) is the knowledge gateway of medicinal and aromatic plants related services and technologies. It organizes kisan mela (Farmers Fair) every year and display new varieties/technologies and innovative cultivation practices on commercially viable MAPs for its end users. Analyzed data reveals that 75.85% farmer preferring aromatic crops and only 24.15% farmers in favor of medicinal crops. In the year 2010-2012, aromatic crops are quite popular among the farmers and increment pattern of aromatic crops were 40% & 71.90 in Mint; 48% & 78.37% in Rose, Menthol mint still dominates the choice, while in case of medicinal plants, the adoption pattern increments were 75% & 38.09% in Stevia; 35.71% & 21.05% in Withania; 37.5% & 77.27% in Tulsi respectively. It leads to improved socio-economic condition of farmers in the area using cultivable land but also in rural sector under stress and unsustainable land.