A review on cost and return of medicinal and aromatic plants cultivation in India

The present study was conducted during 2022-23 to review the cost and return of medicinal and aromatic plants cultivation. Relevant and scholarly articles of various researchers were reviewed. The articles were searched using the keywords “medicinal and aromatic plants” along with cost and return, cultivation. Scientific platforms such as Google Scholar and Scopus were searched, along with, annual reports, magazines, newspapers, medicinal plants board websites etc. The reviews compiled collective information on cost and return, benefit cost ratio. Medicinal and aromatic plants provide a higher return compared to traditional crops. The medicinal and aromatic plants also can be grown with other crops as mixed cropping. However, marketing is an important constraint in cultivation. Understanding the economics of cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants is an important step in designing future policies. This paper tries to fill the gap and contributes literature on cost and return of cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants, which may be helpful in improving the linkages of value chain of the sector.Many business firms coming in buy back agreement with farmers for procurement and marketing of their medicinal and aromatic plants. Understanding the cost and return of medicinal and aromatic plants is important for designing future policies to deal with to overcome the challenges and formulate a suitable and sustainable value chain for the sector.