Cost and Income Structure of Organic and Conventional French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Cultivation: A Case Study of Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the cost and income structure of organic and conventional French bean cultivation in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh, in the 2018/ 2019 crop year. The sample included 80 farmers selected using a purposive sampling method, consisting of 40 organic and 40 conventional French bean growers. Survey questionnaires were used as the main instrument for data collection. Descriptive statistics and cost and income analysis were used for data analysis. The results indicate that the cost of production was higher, and output was lower under organic bean cultivation. Despite this, organic bean cultivation was more profitable than conventional farming, which was attributed to the higher prevailing market price for organic beans. Organic growers encounter numerous challenges and issues when cultivating and marketing of vegetables. Farmers seek a variety of aid from the government, business sector, and co-operative organizations to solve all of these challenges.