Economic Aspects of Production and Constraints of Lemon Grass in Bilaspur District, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

The cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) has the potential to provide significant economic benefits to farmers in Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh, India. However, there are a number of constraints that limit the growth of this sector. This study investigates the economic aspects of MAP production in Bilaspur district, and identifies the major constraints that farmers face. The study finds that the area under cultivation for MAPs has been increasing in Bilaspur district, but the growth rate has been slower than in other parts of Chhattisgarh. This is due to a number of factors, including the high cost of planting material, lack of technical knowledge, and limited access to markets. The study also finds that the profitability of MAP production varies depending on the crop. Lemon grass is the most profitable MAP in Bilaspur district. However, the profitability of MAP production is still lower than that of other crops, such as rice and wheat. The study recommends a number of policy interventions to promote the growth of the MAP sector in Bilaspur district. These include providing subsidies for planting material, improving access to technical knowledge, and developing market linkages for MAPs. The study concludes that the cultivation of MAPs has the potential to provide significant economic benefits to farmers in Bilaspur district. However, the growth of this sector is constrained by a number of factors. The study recommends a number of policy interventions to promote the growth of the MAP sector in Bilaspur district.