1National Centre for Agricultural Economics & Policy Research (NCAP), New Delhi 110 012.
2Department of Agricultural Economics, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand.
This paper is based on the Ph.D. thesis of the first author, completed under the supervision of the second author. Authors are grateful to the referee for his helpful suggestions. Thanks are also due to Dr Suresh Pal for comments on the earlier draft of this paper.
This study has examined the agribusiness opportunities in medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), based on the field level information from the state of Uttarakhand. The financial feasibility of important aromatic plants has been studied. It has been found that the returns are substantially higher from these crops than the most profitable commercial crops like sugarcane. The study has identified the constraints that affect the spread of cultivation of MAPs; these include inadequate processing capacities, price risks and non-availability of planting material. It has been suggested that concerted efforts should be made to address these constraints and increase access to the world market.
