Author(s): A. Jha Chakraborty, A. K. Nandi and B. K. Bera

Abstract: The study based on primary data collected from Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal reveals that tomato produced by organic system of farming requires an investment of Rs. 37884.45 per ha which is estimated to be 9.17 % higher than that produced by conventional (applying chemical and organic inputs) system of farming. But the total return realized from organic tomato is found to be 5.84 % below conventional average. Cost of production is estimated to be Rs.172 and Rs.155.31 q-1 in the same order. Higher prime cost of cultivation coupled with lower physical yield accounting 9.08 % have rendered the organic growers to obtain 28.19% lower net return per ha compared to its counter parts in conventional system. The return-cost ratios are also observed to be less in the former (1.67) than the later (1.93). Relatively greater expenditures on organic manures and fertilizers, human labours and other components including seeds, irrigation etc measuring 10.05, 10.84 and 5.47 % respectively are responsible for higher prime cost of cultivation in organic farms in comparison to conventionally managed farms. Higher premium prices deserved by organic products for its beneficial impacts on human health, soil fertility and environment along with input subsidy as in the case of chemical fertilizers is necessary to offset the loss arising out of the lower physical yield and higher prime cost of organic tomato production and also to make it economically viable over conventionally grown tomato.

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