Benefit–cost analysis of bamboo in comparison with other crops in mixed cropping home gardens in Kerala State, India

Bamboo (Bambusa bambos) is one among the crops in mixed cropping home gardens in Kerala State, India. A statistically designed survey was carried out in home gardens in two different agro-climatic zones in Kerala to analyse profitability of bamboo in comparison with seasonal-annual crops, perennial crops and tree crops. Benefit-cost analysis shows that bamboo has at least a second position in terms of profitability among the crop groups in home gardens in the two zones. The high benefit-cost ratio of bamboo was due to negligible inputs and high farm price of bamboo. Advantages due to the existence of an organised wholesale market near the study area and the efficiency of the bamboo depots there make bamboo growing in home gardens profitable. The high ratio reported for bamboo does not recommend for increasing the cultivation of bamboo at the cost of other crops. It shows that bamboo is profitable in home gardens in villages with market advantages.