 2016 RELS ISSN: 0974-4908

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rel_sci@yahoo.com 9(3) 303-306 (2016)

Economic analysis of organic fruit and seed production of tomato

(Solanum lycopersicum L.) under mid hill conditions
1
Navjot Singh Brar, 1Sandeep Kumar,1KS Thakur, 1Dharminder Kumar,
2
Ashok Kumar Thakur, 3Subhash Sharma and 1Naval Kishor
1
Department of Vegetable Science,2Department of Seed Science and Technology and 3Department of Agriculture Economics
Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni-Solan-173 230, Himachal Pradesh, India
*e-mail: singh.navjotbrar@gmail.com
(Received: August 26, 2015; Revised received: January 18, 2016; Accepted: January 23, 2016)
Abstract: The present study was aimed to evaluate the economic feasibility of growing organic tomatoes under farmer’s conditions in mid hill conditions of
Himachal Pradesh. The budget identifies specific cost categories and estimates a net return for the production and sale of organic tomato crop. Therefore,
in this study, cost effective methodology for organic fruit and seed production of tomato was developed. It was observed that highest cost of production for

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fruit and seed yield (Rs.1,15,934 and Rs.1,20,034, respectively) and maximum gross income (Rs.3,90,449.01 and Rs.2,09,601.67, respectively) were
observed in the treatment ’T7' (Vermicompost + Biofertilizers). However, maximum net returns for fruit and seed yield (Rs.2,99,384.87 and Rs.1,17,984.01,
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respectively) and benefit: cost ratio (3.60:1 and 1.35:1, respectively) were recorded in treatment ’T9' (Biovita + Biofertilizers), whereas lowest cost of
production (Rs.77,934), gross income (Rs.1,79,348.67), net returns (Rs.1,01,414.67) and benefit: cost ratio (1.30:1) for fruit yield were observed in the
treatment ’T10' (Control). Therefore, treatment ’T9' from economic point of view and treatment ’T7' for retention of soil fertility year after year and getting high
fruit and seed yield, can be recommended for commercial cultivation of tomato in hilly regions of the country.

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Key words: Tomato, Economics analysis, Organic manures, Biofertilizers, Yield, Organic produce
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Introduction world (FAO, 2011). In India, total area under organic farming is 1.2-
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important lakh hectare, out of which 51000 hectare is certified. A total of 7,14,000
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solanaceous vegetable crops grown worldwide for fresh and
processing purposes due to its wider adaptability in various agro-
farmers are engaged in organic farming in India (Paul and Rameshwar,
2010). Therefore, rigorous efforts are needed to increase the total area
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climatic conditions. Production of any crop can be increased by
supplying quality inputs. After the green revolution, production of
vegetables has increased to great extent due to use of chemical
fertilizers. Tomato being heavy feeder and exhaustive crop requires
large quantities of organic and inorganic fertilizers (Gajbhiye et al.,
2003). The extensive use of chemical fertilizers has led to soil sickness,
ecological hazards and depletion of non-renewable sources of energy.
Moreover, they deteriorate the quality of the produce and are
expensive too, leading to reduction in net profit returns to the farmers.
Biofertilizers help in improving biological activities of desirable
microorganisms in the soil and improve the crop yield and quality of
produce. Moreover, traditional organic manures release the nutrients
slowly, hence their effect is exhibited not only on the instant crop, but
it is also reflected on the performance of the other succeeding crops
(Kumar and Srivastava, 2006). Therefore, use of organic manures
and biofertilizers is the only solution for the production of good quality
fruits without any ill effect on soil health and ecology. Organic farming
leads to reduction in total crop yield by 9.2%, but it provides higher
net profits to the farmers by 22.0% as compared to conventional
farming due the availability of premium prices (20-40 %) for the
certified organic produce and reduction in cost of cultivation by 11.7%
(Ramesh et al., 2010). Every year, the demand and acceptance of
organic farming is increasing at the rate of 20-25 %. At global level,
organic vegetable farming is done in an area of 2.45 lakh hectares,
which is 0.4 per cent of the total area under vegetables cultivation in the
and production of organically produced vegetables in India. Further,
organic tomato production is an economically viable alternative for
growers, although materials and total costs are higher for organic farming
system compared to conventional farming. Organic farming costs are
expected to decrease as sales continue to increase and these systems
become more professionalized. Many organic agricultural producers
are producing on a small scale, and have not yet established a sales
network because of the high operation costs and, therefore, have
difficulties reaching the consumers. With the establishment of various
producer organizations and increase in the production scale, it is believed
that this problem will be solved over the following years. Keeping in
view the above facts in mind, the present study was a modest attempt to
analyze the economics of organic tomato fruit and seed production
under mid hills conditions of Himachal Pradesh with the major objective
to maintain long-term soil health and fertility and to provide the quality
food material to the Indian population at reasonable prices.
Material and Methods
Experimental site, treatments and methodology: The present
study was carried out at Experimental Research Farm of the
Department of Vegetable Science, Dr. YS Parmar University of
Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (H.P.) in tomato cv. ‘Solan
Vajr’ during Kharif 2011. Some physico-chemical properties of
soil tested before planting are given in Table 1. The experiment
was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD)
comprising of 10 treatment combinations of organic manures and

Research in Environment and Life Sciences 303 March, 2016

Brar et al.
biofertilizers viz., T1:FYM @ 20 t/ha, T2:Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha,
T3:Neem Cake @ 2 t/ha, T 4:Biovita Granules @ 50 kg/ha,
T5:Biofertilizers (Azotobacter + PSB + KSB) Each @ 5 kg/ha, T6:
T1+ Biofertilizers, T7: T2 + Biofertilizers, T8: T3 + Biofertilizers,
T9:T4 + Biofertilizers and T10:Absolute control. Seedlings were
transplanted on 20thApril 2011 at a spacing of 90 cm x 30 cm in a
plot having size 3.6 m x 2.4 m, accommodating 32 plants per plot.
Biofertilizers (Azotobacter, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria and
Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria) application was done through
root dip method and soil application method.
Inference: The experimental studies exhibited that soil was
sandy loam in texture, rich in organic matter and having pH, EC
and OC values of 7.02, 0.55 dSm-1 and 10.50 g/kg, respectively.
The available N, P and K content was noted to be 285.40,
35.30 and 146.00 kg/ha, respectively.
For the purpose of analysis to meet, the objectives of the
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study, different analytical tools and techniques employed are
presented here under. Tabular presentation was adopted to
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compile the cost structure, returns and profits. Simple statistical
tools like averages and percentages were used to compare,
contrast and interpret results properly. The statistical analysis was
carried out for each observed character under the study using
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MS-Excel and SPSS 16.0. Several economic indices are available
to evaluate the profitability of cropping systems. At the same time,
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cropping system should be economically viable and profitable.
Gross returns: The total fiscal value of economic produce and
by products obtained from the crops raised in the cropping
system is calculated based on the local market prices.
Cost of Cultivation: Cost of cultivation is the total expenditure
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incurred for raising crops in a cropping system. The cost included
for this purpose consists of own or hired human labour, owned
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or hired bullock labour, value of seed, manures, fertilizers,
pesticides and herbicides and irrigation charges. A farmer may
choose a system with lesser cost of cultivation though it gives
lesser profit, because of limited resources.
Net Returns: A net return is obtained by subtracting cost of
cultivation from gross return. It is a good indicator of suitability of a
cropping system since this represents the actual income to the farmer.
Cost-benefit Ratio: Cost-benefit ratio is the ratio of net returns
to cost of cultivation, which can also be expressed as returns
per rupee invested. This index provides an estimate of the
benefit a farmer derives for the expenditure he incurs in adopting
a particular cropping system.
Table-1: Physico-chemical properties of soil before planting
Particulars Values obtained
Mechanical analysis (%)
Sand 41.43
Silt 31.26
Clay 27.31
Texture Sandy loam
Chemical analysis
Soil pH 7.02
EC (dSm-1) 0.55
Organic carbon (g/kg) 10.50
Available N (kg/ha) 285.40
Available P (kg/ha) 35.30
Available K (kg/ha) 146.00
Research in Environment and Life Sciences
Economic analysis of organic fruit and seed production of tomato
The mean values of data were subjected to analysis of
variance as described by Panse and Sukhatme (1987) for
Randomized Complete Block Design. The analysis under different
treatments was studied to work out economics of fruit and seed
production of tomato with organic manures and biofertilizers
application separately as well as combination of treatments
following Sharma et al. (2008).
Economics analysis of treatments:Economics of different
treatment combinations for fruit and seed yield revealed the
significant differences and has been presented under the
following heads
Results and Discussion
Cost of production and gross income for fruit yield (Rs. /ha):
The data pertaining to cost of production of tomato fruit for different
treatments have been presented in the (Table-2 and Table-3). An
examination of the data revealed that highest cost of production
(Rs.1,15,934) was recorded in the treatment T7 (Vermicompost +
Biofertilizers), whereas lowest (Rs.77,934) was observed in the
treatment T10 (Control). Highest cost of production in treatment T7
might be attributed to the higher rate of application and cost of
vermicompost as compared to the other treatments. On the other
hand, due to non-application of any organic manure and biofertilizers,
treatment T10 resulted in lowest cost of production. Similarity maximum
gross income (Rs.3,90,449.01) was observed in the treatment T7
(Vermicompost + Biofertilizers) and it was found at par with the
treatment T9 (Rs.3,82,568.87), while minimum gross income
(Rs.179348.67) was recorded in the treatment T10 (Control), which
was found significantly low for this treatment. The treatment T7
followed by T9 had the highest fruit yield per hectare which resulted
in maximum gross income for fruit yield per hectare. The application
of ample quantity of organic manures and biofertilizers and their
synergistic interaction enhanced the production of growth promoting
substances like IAA, GA3 and dihydrozeatin, promiting physiological
activity in the plants resulting in more fruit yield per hectare.
Net returns and benefit: cost ratio for fruit yield (Rs./ha):
Treatment T9 (Biovita + Biofertilizers) resulted in maximum net
returns (Rs.2,99,384.87), which was found statistically at par with
the treatment T7 (Rs.2,745,15.01). In the meanwhile, minimum net
returns (Rs.1,01,414.67) were obtained in the treatment T10 (Table-
2 and Table-3). In overall, maximum benefit: cost ratio (3.60:1) was
recorded in treatment T9 (Biovita + Biofertilizers) for the production
of tomato and minimum (1.30:1) was calculated in the treatment T10
Method Employed
International Pipette method (Piper, 1966)
Digital pH meter
Conductivity meter
Walkley and Black, 1934
Alkaline Potassium Permanganate Method (Subbiah and Asija, 1956)
Olsen Method (Olsen et al., 1954)
Normal Neutral Ammonium Acetate Method (Merwin and Peech, 1951)
304 March, 2016
Brar et al. Economic analysis of organic fruit and seed production of tomato

Table-2: Economics of various treatments for fruit and seed production in tomato
Treatments Fruit production Seed production
Total cost of Yield Gross Net B: C Total cost of Yield Gross Net B: C
production (q/ha) income return ratio production (q/ha) income return ratio
(Rs./ha) (Rs./ha) (Rs./ha) (Rs./ha) (Rs./ha) (Rs./ha)
T1 :FYM @ 20 t/ha 102294 245.11 245108.00 142814.00 1.40 106394 66.95 133894.26 27500.26 0.26
T2: Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha 113294 274.27 274269.84 160975.84 1.42 117394 74.74 149479.42 32085.42 0.27
T3: Neem Manure @ 2 t/ha 104294 252.82 252820.22 148526.22 1.42 108394 68.99 137970.99 29576.99 0.27
T4: Biovita Granules @ 50 kg/ha 80544 278.21 278206.95 197662.95 2.45 84644 75.31 150612.96 65968.96 0.78
T5: Biofertilizers (Azotobacter + 80574 294.51 294506.52 213932.52 2.66 84674 79.84 159674.68 75000.68 0.89
PSB + KSB) each @ 5 kg/ha
T6: T1 + Biofertilizers 104934 325.27 325266.51 220332.51 2.10 109034 87.81 175615.81 66581.81 0.61
T7: T2 + Biofertilizers 115934 390.45 390449.01 274515.01 2.37 120034 104.80 209601.67 89567.67 0.75
T8: T3 + Biofertilizers 106934 360.94 360937.51 254003.51 2.38 111034 97.00 193992.30 82958.30 0.75
T9: T4 + Biofertilizers 83184 382.57 382568.87 299384.87 3.60 87284 102.63 205268.01 117984.01 1.35
T10: Control 77934 179.35 179348.67 101414.67 1.30 82034 49.13 98256.15 16222.15 0.20
Mean 96992 298.35 298348.21 201356.21 2.11 101092 80.72 161436.63 60344.63 0.61
C.D.(0.05) - 25.43 25432.78 25432.78 0.27 - 7.09 14196.43 14196.43 0.14

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(Control) and it was found at par with the treatment
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T1 (1.40:1), T2 (1.42:1) and T3 (1.42:1). Highest
net returns and benefit: cost ratio in Treatment T9 as
compared to T7 is due to the lower rate of application
and reasonable cost of biovita and biofertilizers.
Table-3: Cost of cultivation for tomato fruit production per hectare as affected by different treatments
Fixed cost for all the treatments
Cost of 500 g seed @ Rs. 2000/kg
Nursery management (bed preparation, sowing, irrigation, weeding etc.)
Ploughing by tractor (two ploughings; 24 hr each) @ Rs. 400/hr
Cost (Rs.)
1000
500
19200

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Cost of production and gross income for seed Plankings (two plankings; 4 hr each) @Rs. 400/hr 3200
yield (Rs./ha): An examination of data pertaining to Preparation of beds and channels (40 mandays) @ Rs. 120/manday 4800
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cost of production of tomato seed (Table-2 and Table- Transplanting of seedlings (10 mandays) @Rs.120/manday 1200
Irrigation (8 irrigations; 5 mandays/irrigation) @Rs. 120/manday 4800
4) for different treatments revealed similar trend as
Gap filling (3 mandays) @ Rs.120/manday 360
for fruit yield i.e., highest cost of production Weeding & hoeing (three; 10 mandays/Weeding & hoeing) @Rs. 120/manday 3600
(Rs.1,20,034) was recorded in the treatment T7 Staking (40 mandays) @Rs.120/manday 4800
(Vermicompost + Biofertilizers), whereas lowest
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(Rs.82,034) was observed in the treatment T10 Bordeaux mixture cost (3 sprays) @Rs.128 for 6.4 kg CuSO4 and
(Control). This might be attributed to the higher rate 6.4 kg lime in 800 litre of water/spray 384
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of application and cost of vermicompost as compared Nemacide spray (3 sprays; 5 mandays/spray) @Rs.120/manday 1800
to the other treatments. While, treatment T10 due to Nemacide cost (2 sprays) @Rs.480 for 1600 ml in 800 litre of water/spray 960
Harvesting (5 harvesting; 8 manday/harvesting) @ Rs.120/manday 4800
non-application of any organic manure and
Rental value of land (for 6 months) @ Rs.30000/hectare/year 15000
biofertilizers resulted in lowest cost of production. Total 68204
Similarity highest gross income (Rs.2,09,601.67) was Individual Costs for Separate Treatments
observed in the treatment T7 (Vermicompost + Organic manures application
Biofertilizers), which was found significantly at par Farm Yard Manure @ 200 quintals/ha @ Rs.120/quintal 24000
with the treatment T9 (Rs.2,05,268.01). Significantly Vermicompost @ 50 quintals/ha @ Rs.700/quintal 35000
low gross income (Rs.98,256.15) was recorded in Neem manure @ 20 quintals/ha @ Rs.1300/quintal 26000
the treatment T10 (Control). The treatment T7 followed Biovita @ 50 kg/ha @ Rs.45/kg 2250
Labour for application of each organic manures (3 mandays) @Rs.120/manday 360
by T9 had the highest fruit yield per hectare which
Biofertilizer application
resulted in maximum gross income for fruit yield per Root dip treatment
hectare, while the treatment T10 (Control) due to Azotobacter @ 1kg/ha @ Rs.120 /kg 120
lowest seed production per hectare resulted in PSB @ 1kg/ha @ Rs.120/kg 120
minimum gross income. This might be due to the KSB @ 1kg/ha @ Rs.120 /kg 120
availability of optimum dose of nutrients for the plants Labour for root dip treatment (1 mandays) @ Rs.120/manday 120
to complete various reproductive stages through Basal dose
treatment T7 and T9, resulting in more fruit and seed Azotobacter @ 5 kg/ha @ Rs.120 /kg 600
PSB @ 5 kg/ha @ Rs.120/kg 600
yield.
KSB @ 5kg/ha @ Rs.120 /kg 600
Net returns and benefit: cost ratio for seed yield Labour for basal dose application (3 mandays) @ Rs. 120/manday 360
(Rs./ha): For seed yield per hectare, similar trend as Other Costs
in case of fruit yield was observed i.e., maximum net Risk factor (5% of working capital) 2910
returns (Rs.1,17,984.01) were obtained in the Management Cost (10% of working capital) 6820
treatment T9 (Biovita + Biofertilizers), which was found Sale price of tomato fruits Rs.10/kg

Research in Environment and Life Sciences 305 March, 2016

Brar et al. Economic analysis of organic fruit and seed production of tomato

Table-4: Cost of cultivation for tomato seed production per hectare as affected by year after year and getting high fruit and seed yield,
different treatments can be recommended for commercial cultivation of
Fixed cost for all the treatments Cost (Rs) tomato, being high feeder crop.
Cost of 500 g seed @Rs. 2000/kg 1000 The organic tomato production project was
Nursery management (bed preparation, sowing, irrigation, weeding etc.) 500 successful in developing and demonstrating different
Ploughing by tractor (two ploughings; 24 hr each) @ Rs.400/hr 19200 organic fertilizer applications for growers to produce
Plankings (two plankings; 4 hr each) @ Rs. 400/hr 3200 high quality. Organic tomato production is an
Preparation of beds and channels (40 mandays) @ Rs.120/manday 4800
Transplanting of seedlings (10 mandays) @ Rs.120/manday 1200
economically viable alternative for growers,
Irrigation (8 irrigations; 5 mandays/irrigation) @ Rs.120/manday 4800 although materials and total costs are higher for
Gap filling (3 mandays) @ Rs. 120/manday 360 organic farming system compared to conventional
Weeding & hoeing (three; 10 mandays/ Weeding & hoeing) @ Rs. 120/manday 3600 farming. Especially, organic tomato production with
Staking (40 mandays) @Rs. 120/manday 4800 Biovita Granules @ 50 kg/ha, and biofertilizers
Bordeaux mixture spray (3 sprays; 5 mandays/spray) @ Rs.120/manday 1800 (Azotobacter + PSB + KSB) each @ 5 kg/hais
Bordeaux mixture cost (3 sprays) @ Rs. 128 for 6.4 kg CuSO4 more profitable than others. Organic farming costs
and 6.4 kg lime in 800 litre of water/spray 384
Nemacide spray (3 sprays; 5 mandays/spray) @ Rs. 120/manday 1800 are expected to decrease as sales continue to
Nemacide cost (2 sprays) @ Rs. 480 for 1600 ml in 800 litre of water/spray 960 increase and these systems become more

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Harvesting (5 harvesting; 8 manday/harvesting) @ Rs.120/manday 4800 professionalized.Many organic agricultural
Seed extraction, drying, packaging and storage (30 man days) @ Rs. 120/manday 3600 producers are producing on a small scale, and
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Rental value of land (for 6 months) @ Rs. 30000/hectare/year
Total
Individual Costs for Separate Treatments
Organic manures application
15000
71804
have not yet established a sales network because
of the high operation costs and, therefore, have
difficulties reaching the consumers.With the

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Farm Yard Manure @ 200 quintals/ha @ Rs. 120/quintal 24000 establishment of various producer organizations and
Vermicompost @ 50 quintals/ha @ Rs. 700/quintal 35000 increase in the production scale, it is believed that
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Neem manure @ 20 quintals/ha @ Rs. 1300/quintal 26000 this problem will be solved over the following years.
Biovita @ 50 kg/ha @ Rs. 45/kg 2250 References
Labour for application of each organic manures (3 mandays) @ Rs. 120/manday 360 FAO. 2011. http//faostat.fao.org/default.aspx.
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Root dip treatment Sureja, A.K.: Effect of inorganic and bio-fertilizers
Azotobacter @ 1kg/ha @ Rs. 120 /kg 120 on fruit quality of tomato. Indian Journal of
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PSB @ 1kg/ha @ Rs. 120/kg
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120
Horticulture, 67: 301- 304 (2010).
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PSB @ 5 kg/ha @ Rs. 120/kg 600 potassium in the sand, silt and clay fractions, as
KSB @ 5kg/ha @ Rs. 120 /kg 600 influenced by the nature of the complementary
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Other Costs Proceedings, 15: 125-128 (1951).
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Yadav, S.K., Shrivastava, Rahul and Subha, Rao
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S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry,
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In the present investigations, treatment T7 (Vermicompost + Biofertilizers) Subbiah, B.V. and Asija, G.L.: A rapid procedure for
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Walkley, A. and Black, T.A.: An experiment of the
rated as second best treatment for most of fruit and seed yield characters. Hence, vegetative modification of the chromic acid filtration
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Research in Environment and Life Sciences 306 March, 2016