Cost-Benefit Analysis of Natural Farming vs. Chemical Fertilizers for Sustainable Marigold Production under Mid-hills of Himalayas

Natural farming, using desi-cow waste to boost soil biology, is widely adopted. Jeevamrit enhances soil health and organic carbon without heavy reliance on farmyard manure (FYM), supporting sustainable agriculture and lowering the carbon footprint. In Himachal Pradesh, lower nitrogen, optimal phosphorus and higher potassium levels reduce nutrient needs, highlighting the need for tailored farming. During this study data was collected manually which leads to errors and inconsistencies during data handling, which were addressed through rigorous data editing and verification. Our study compared Jeevamrit to chemical fertilizers on growth and yield of marigold. Jeevamrit @ 2 L/m2 via drenching in the mother block, followed by harvesting cuttings for rooting, allowed monthly plantings across seasons. Soil health improved in Jeevamrit-treated plots, leading to better marigold quality and higher marketable flowers and yields compared to RDF-treated plants. The current study indicates that plants treated with Jeevamrit @ 2 L/m2, and the plants treated with the recommended dose of fertilizers (NPK @ 30:20:20 g/m² during field preparation), plants raised from the first harvesting flush of cuttings and planted during the summer season, exhibited a comparable benefit-cost ratio i.e. 2.36 and 2.39 respectively. Nonetheless, the benefit-cost ratio was marginally higher for plants exclusively supplied with the recommended dose of fertilizers (NPK @ 30:20:20 g/m2). This study provided a detailed comparative cost and benefit analysis of natural farming (using Jeevamrit) versus chemical fertilizers (RDF) in marigold production, emphasizing the financial feasibility and seasonal impacts on yield and profitability. The outcome of the investigation suggests that plants treated with Jeevamrit (2 L/m2) can be used as an sustainable alternative to traditional fertilizers, especially for marigold production in the Himalayan region’s Mid-hills, warranting a benefit-cost analysis.