Resource use efficiency and determinants of mentha cultivation in Punjab

Mentha is one of the minor crops grown in Punjab. The present study was designed to work out the benefit cost analysis, factors affecting productivity, resource use efficiency and to bring out both biotic and abiotic constraints faced by mentha growers in Punjab. The analysis brought out that the gross returns for mentha oil were higher in Peppermint as compared to Koshi. As former variety govern higher price. The returns over variable cost were higher in the case of Koshi as that of Peppermint due to cheap suckers and less use of fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides on the sample farms. The regression analysis brought out that area under mentha crop, expenses on suckers and herbicide use were the major factors which can enhance the mentha oil productivity significantly. The results revealed that one rupee spent on suckers and human labour will add ‘5.73 and ‘3.75 to the value productivity. Losses due to insect pest incidence was major biotic constraint while post-harvest losses due to delayed processing, unexpected rainfall at maturity, high processing cost, scarcity of labour and price fluctuation were the major abiotic constraints confronted by the selected mentha growers.