Economic viability of soil and water conservation technology in cardamom based cropping system

Abstract

The study examines the economic worth of investment in soil and water conservation measures and protective irrigation for cardamom crop in Kodagu district of Karnataka using farm level data. The results indicated that high production technology along with soil and water conservation measures increased cardamom yield per unit area by reducing soil and water losses and improved the productivity of harvested water. Investment to implement the technology with 2.45 B:C ratio, less than 3 years of pay back period and 56.5% internal rate of return was profitable at individual farm level and the macro-economic goal of increasing cardamom production was also possible. Further, the investment has the potential to increase employment opportunity in the region.