Economics of production of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam) in Tamil Nadu

The study was carried out in Theni and Dindigul districts of Tamil Nadu during 2017–18 to estimate the costs and returns of moringa cultivation and economic feasibility of moringa orchards. Multistage purposive sampling was employed in the present study. A sample of 160 moringa growers was drawn from eight purposively selected villages of four highest moringa producing blocks of Theni and Dindigul districts. Required data were recorded on a well-structured pre-tested schedule through personal interaction with selected moringa growers. The study revealed that the establishment cost of moringa was Rs 7.72 and 6.88 lakh: the cost of plant protection occupied a major share to the tune of 30.44 and 25.62 per cent in Theni and Dindigul districts respectively. The average yield of moringa was 27, 015 kg/ha in Theni and 22, 063 kg/ha in Dindigul. The net present value (NPV) of moringa plantation was Rs 16.87 and 12.82 lakh, benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of moringa orchard was 1.72 and 1.63 and internal rate of return (IRR) was 27.66 and 25.00 per cent in Theni and Dindigul districts respectively indicating that moringa was a profitable venture. Among the constraints in production of moringa the major constraint was invasion of pests and diseases in Theni and lack of labour availability in Dindigul district. Indicators of economic analysis (B-C ratio and IRR) showed that investment on moringa plantation was a sound financial worthy one fetching substantial returns. Appropriate technological intervention was needed to combat the menace of pests and diseases in moringa plantation to fetch higher returns.