An economic analysis of production and marketing of jasmine in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu

The study was conducted in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu and the selection was mainly based on the dominance of the jasmine crop in the district. A sample of 120 jasmine growers was selected randomly from Thirumangalam and Thiruparankundram Taluks of the district. The per acre establishment cost of jasmine garden was found to be Rs 22,653.45 during the first year. The average maintenance cost was worked out to be Rs 33,335.50 per acre for all the age groups of gardens and the average total cost of cultivation was Rs 42,576.88 per acre which constituted variable (Rs 33,505.10) and fixed (Rs 9,071.78) cost. The average yield of flowers obtained was 7,452 kg per acre. The average net return over total cost of cultivation was Rs 69,203.12 per acre. Two marketing channels were identified in which the producer's share in consumer's rupee was the highest in channel-II (84.30%). The major constraints confronting the cultivators were incidence of pests and diseases, high commission charges, violent price fluctuations and non-existence of well developed marketing system. Hence it was recommended that adoption of recommended cultivation practices and provision of adequate credit would help in expanding area and also increasing productivity of jasmine besides strengthening marketing system.