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IncomeCultivation of the common cash crops is is subject to strong market price fluctuations and the cost for maintenance (crop protection, fertilizers), irrigation and harvest are often substantial. Therefore the cultivation of such crops not always turns out to be profitable. A further disadvantage is the cultivation in monocultures and an inadequate crop rotation, which contributes to the need of applying increasing amounts of toxic pest repellents and fertilizers. This opens a vicious circle - and the consequences can be devastating on a long term. For a small scale farmer these common crops are risky from a purely financial consideration, because of the high input cost and because he lacks the possibility to diversify due to his small land holding. A failed crop due to pests, drought or because of poor seed quality or a low return because of an unfavorable market price can annihilate a whole years hard work. In many cases this even proofs fatal to the existence of the farmer, especially if had already taken out a loan for the cultivation and which cannot repay now. 
But there might be alternatives to this seasonal crops which are subject to strong market fluctuations, for example perennial medicinal Plants could be quite promising: There is a major ayurvedic and a cosmetic industry with an increasing demand for herbal ingredients. Ayurveda has become a big trend in the west and manufacturers of ayurvedic formulations will have to source their raw materials from plantations, as wildcrafted herbs are nearly extinct. Further organically cultivated herbs are increasingly in need by the manufacturer of organic herbal cosmetics. Another plant that is promising a good and lasting outcome in the future is Jatropha, an oilfruit that is used for the production of biodiesel and which is thrives even on poor soils. The Government encourages its cultivation, as the ever increasing energy consumption and need for fuel cannot be met by Indias own resources. After an initial maturing period of about three years Jatropha promises to yield for about forty years. Further there is always a good demand for edible vegetables and fruit and together with spices they could also be further processed to jams, pickles and juices, which could be traded with attractive mark ups as value added products.However it takes some courage to leave trodden paths because the resources of a farmer are very limited. It would certainly help to have some spare land available for tests with various alternatives, where immediate profits play second role - as the farmer can hardly bear a loss due to some failed trial on his own productive land. Unfortunately land has become scarce and rather expensive in the meantime, but we are further investigating the possibility of acquiring a piece of land for appropriate trials. top
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