Marigold flower, the most important commercial flower in India and Madhya Pradesh is one of the highest marigold flowers producing state. This study was carried out to estimate the cost and returns of hybrid marigold flower cultivation using primary data collected during the year of 2017-18 from 120 growers selected from Ratlam and Indore districts of Madhya Pradesh. The operating expenses incurred during production of hybrid variety of marigold i.e. cost A1 was assessed to be ` 79252, ` 88026 and ` 84627 per ha for small, medium and large size growers, respectively. Considering all direct and indirect expenses, i.e. cost C3 was estimated to be ` 160331, ` 174817 and ` 173763 per ha for three categories. It was found that the highest net income ` 150911 per ha was received by medium size growers for hybrid variety followed by large growers (` 136103/ha) and small growers (` 134965/ha). When benefit-cost ratio was calculated, it was found to be higher than unity for all the three categories of marigold growers, viz. small (1.84) medium (1.86) and large (1.78). So, it is established that hybrid variety of marigold flower had wide scope to increase the area & production in Madhya Pradesh, as long as market supports.

Highlights

• Marigold flower growers spent about ` 169638 per ha and earned ` 1.34 to 1.5 lakhs in a year, as income over all the expenses, including worthiness of the enterprise.
• The higher net income was received by medium size group of marigold growers followed by large and small growers.