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Available online at http://www.journalcra.com

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
OF CURRENT RESEARCH
International Journal of Current Research
Vol. 6, Issue, 02, pp.5150-5153, February, 2014

ISSN: 0975-833X

RESEARCH ARTICLE

BASIL (Tulsi) PRODUCTION IS AN INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITY FOR POOR AND MARGINAL
FARMERS IN INDIA
1Vinay

Gunwant, 2Manoj Rawat, 3Purohit, R. C., 4Pankaj Dhaundiyal and

*5Syed Md. Faisal Ali Khan

1Department

of Commerce, MBPG College Haldwani, Kumaon University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India

2Department of Management, Sikkim Manipal University, Manipal, India
3Associate Prof., Department of Commerce, MBPG College Haldwani, Kumaon University,
Uttarakhand India
4 Ph.D., Research Scholar, Dept. of Commerce, MBPG College Haldwani, Kumaon University, Uttarakhand,
India
5 Lecturer and Coordinator Quality Assurance and Control Unit, Department of MIS, College of Business
Administration, Jazan University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and
Under the Guidance of: Dr. Divya Rana, Asst. Prof., FEA, King Abdul Aziz University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
ARTICLE INFO

ABSTRACT

Article History:

Basil, the "Royal Herb" in India is popularly known as Tulsi. Tulsi has been described as early as the
vedic period. Tulsi is the most sacred and holy plant of India dedicated to Hindu culture and Hindu
ceremonies. Its leaves are used in the worship of gods, goddesses and partaken as Prasad (Holy food).
Chamoli is one of the backward hilly districts of Uttarakhand State. Although women in this area play
a very significant role in subsistence economy, their contribution to socio-economic development is
not recognized yet. Over 70% of the total population mostly women are engaged in traditional
agricultural activities. Most of the agriculture in the region is rain fed with a very low productivity of
the food crops. The farmers / producers in the region are poor and marginal and are totally dependent
on agriculture for their livelihood. Apart from the low productivity the farmers are facing a severe
problem of wild animals (wild boar and monkey) damaging their crop and further reducing the food
production and the ultimate annual income.

Received 04th November, 2013

Received in revised form
10th December, 2013
Accepted 26th January, 2014
Published online 21st February, 2014

Key words:
SC=Schedule Class,
SC=Schedule Tribe,
OBC= Other Backward Class,
GOI= Government of India

Copyright 2014 Vinay Gunwant et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted
use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

INTRODUCTION
Tulsi (basil) plants are increasingly being recognized as an
important source of significant livelihood opportunities for
rural poor and a source of revenue for Government also. The
collection and cultivation of Tulsi (basil) provides an important
source of cash income to many rural communities specially
women, primitive forest dependent tribes, poor and
marginalized farmers. According to Government of Indias
Statistics, the collection and processing of medicinal and
aromatic plants contribute to at least 35 Million working days
of employment in a year (GOI 2000). The global demand of
medicinal plants has been estimated at 60 to 62 billion US $
which is increasing at a rate of 7 -10 % annually. The project
Enhancing livelihood of the poor and marginal farmers
through pro-poor value chain development of Tulsi (basil) is
*Corresponding author: Syed Md. Faisal Ali Khan,
Department of MIS, College of Business Administration, Jazan University,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

been carried with an objective to assure better economic

security to the small, marginal and poor farmers by providing
technologies throughout the value chain of Tulsi (basil); from
procurement to the market development of the value added
products. The project is financial assisted by ICIMOD and
implemented in Ghat and Kaleshwar area in district Chamoli of
Uttarakhand. HARC as a facilitator worked with 200 targeted
families, which are engaged in Tulsi cultivation. The
cooperative working in processing with the SHGs at CFC
mainly women members are in achieving increased income by
production and sale of high value products from Tulsi (Basil).
Objective of the study
The Primary object of the base line study is to identify what
ails in this region, few are detailed below:1. To evaluate the current status of the producing crops in
identified this region in terms of the productivity and
availability, the number of farmers and size of the farm

5151

Vinay Gunwant et al. Basil (tulsi) production is an income generating activity for poor and marginal farmers in India

land (irrigated, un-irrigated or barren land). Status of the

farmers and agricultural activities in which they are
engaged as well as role of support organization (if any) and
prevailing infrastructure facilities.
2. The socio-economic technical, non- technical knowhow
environmental, ecological and cultural, educational
development of the region.
3. Income Generating and self employment generating
program through adopting new method of agricultural
practices, skill development and value addition techniques
through local resources available.

household around 75% (i.e. 38% and 37%) are engaged in

farming and household activities and rest of them are 10%, 5%
and 6% are in wage labor, petty business, shop keeping and
just 4% are studying. The literacy level is low among women
than men in the families. As far as young generation is
concerned almost all children are attending the school.

To fulfill the above objectives the primary base line survey in

these villages has conducted for understanding of this region, is
based on analyzing the value chain that exist in the cluster. It
includes the farmers, producing traditionally growing crops,
major cash crops, production, market and the role of the
institution/ organizations. The support institutions are the
government bodies and social organization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research is conducted at the grawehal region of
Uttarakhand. In order to get the information about the
availability, varieties, production and marketing opportunities
etc., the primarily data was collected through household
survey. In the first stage Chamoli district of Garhwal region
was selected purposively based on the importance and
contribution in terms of area and production of Basil in
Uttarakhand. The study was conducted in 05 villages of three
development block i.e. Karanpryag, Pokhari and Ghaat in
Chamoli district as it had the highest area under Basil
production. A sample size of around 100 growers was selected
randomly. 05 village level meeting were organized during the
survey, it was kept in mind that household from all socio
economic classes of the society are presented.

Fig. 1. Total population in the sample

Land ownership and type (in Nali)

Land is the most valued productive resources which is wealth
creating and livelihood sustaining assets for a significant

Table 1. Basil Producing Areas and Sample Collected.

S.No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Name of the Village

Sainti
Faali
Chamali
Langashu
Jilashu
Total

Development Block
Ghaat
Ghaat
Karanpryag
Karanpryag
Pokhari

Nos. of HH (SC/ST/OBC)
07
10
00
00
00
17

The outcome of the study

The study was conducted in 05 villages in three development
block i.e. Karanpryag, Pokhari and Ghaat in Chamoli district of
Uttarakhand state. The survey covered 100 households include
those, who are marginal farmers and are just above or below
poverty line.

Nos. of HH (General)
13
10
20
20
20
83

M
36
42
48
72
57
225

F
32
34
36
66
51
219

Interview with HH
20
20
20
20
20
100

majority of the interview household. The size of land holding

and its productivity determine the social and economic status
of a farming family. (50 Nali =1 Ha).

Socio economic profile

The socio- economic profile reveals the social status and
economic condition of the household families. Assessing the
socio-economic profile of the household is crucial for
prioritizing the needs of the stakeholder which is linked with
the successes of any developmental programme. Most of the

Fig. 2. Land holding scattered

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International Journal of Current Research, Vol. 6, Issue, 02, pp.5150-5153, February, 2014

Agricultural land are scattered in the region and divided into 4

types. The analysis of data regarding the land holding reveals
that the average size of land holding per family is less than one
hectare. As per the following 33% land are divided in two
pieces, 27% in four, 24% in 6 and 16% in more than eight
pieces. When, we ask about the time take to reach each of the
cluster plots household takes minimum 20 minutes and
maximum 1 hour to reach their field.
Traditional Crop Production
The data reveals that most of the farmers are still producing
traditional crops and very few farmers having annual family
income Rs. 10000 to Rs.100000.

how can increase the productivity. It is highly concerned with

use of barren land and productivity and market. 19% household
says that it is very difficult for them to approach banks and
apply for the loan.
Taken up new high value crop
As per the data reveal that 65 of 100 household are taking their
interest to producing new high value crops specially in tulsi
cultivation. We ask who decides which crops to produce to the
household, 60% from them answered women. It was obvious;
women in this region play a very significant role in subsistence
economy. Though women are engaged in agriculture activities
but when the time comes for marketing the produce, it is the
man who handles all the monetary matters and transaction.

Fig. 3. Production Pattern

Cash Crops Production

In agrarian society agriculture and livestock rearing is the main
source of income. So earning from these sources is always a
family income. Now more than 65 household out of 100
interviewed are engaged in fruit, vegetable and basil
cultivation. The cooperative is also engaged in marketing of
spices, fruits and tulsi. The member sells their produce to the
cooperative especially in fruits and tulsi. The cooperative fixes
a rate for these produce, which is much better than the rate
given by the middlemen, and buy it from the member on cash
basis. Farmers are showing more intrest in tulsi cultivation. It is
very clear through the observation and interaction with the
household that from tulsi, the HH are getting better
productivity as well as higher prices for their crops in less time
and without damaging their crop by the wild animals.

Fig. 5. Preference of Production

When we ask to them why are they cultivating new crops?

Approximately 90% of them are agreed with each other and
their answer was yes reason was pay back guarantee from the
local cooperative are available so market is close to the
producing villages and cooperative is providing technical
knowhow, input services as well as better prices for their
produce.

Fig. 6. Total return from the cultivation

Conclusion and policy implications

Fig. 4. Hindering Factors

Constraints in crop production

As per the data reveals that, most of the household about 21%
says irrigation is the most constraint for them, without that

The present study has clearly found that marketing problems of

hilly areas is different from other regions of the country.
Scattered farms, poor irrigation, finance, animal attack and
high input cost, therefore, producers are reluctant to bring their

5153

Vinay Gunwant et al. Basil (tulsi) production is an income generating activity for poor and marginal farmers in India

produce themselves in the market. Although the cooperatives

are working in the village level but government have to play
the crucial role for basil production and its marketing
strengthen. Create pressure group to channelize the total
government budget to rural irrigation arrangement.
Government Market regulatory authorities should provide loan
to the farmers in a low interest rate (Low interest for
agriculture and herbs). This would be an attraction for poor
farmers and provide confidence and encourage cultivating the
basil crops.

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