Comparative cost and returns of some vegetables grown organically in different agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu

The study was undertaken in Tamil Nadu where seven districts were selected based on organically grown vegetables from seven agro-climatic zones of the state. Totally 280 organic certified farmers comprising 40 each from seven districts were selected based on random sampling technique. Majority (58.00%) of the organic vegetable farmers were cultivating bhendi and tomato followed by bitter gourd and brinjal. The total cost of cultivation involved in organic tomato farms was comparatively less than the brinjal, bhendi and bitter gourd. The average market price received by the sample farmers was high in the case of organic farms as compared to the non-organic farms. With respect to cost and returns, among the vegetables, more remunerative vegetable was bhendi (output-input ratio 1:2.88) followed by bitter gourd (output-input ratio 1:2.55), tomato (output-input ratio 1:2.52) and brinjal (output input ratio 1:2.45).