Economic Viability of Henna in Semi-arid Rajasthan*

Henna (Lawsonia sp.) is a rainfed plantation crop commercially cultivated in Rajasthan on 32,084 ha (2001-02) for its leaves, which are important source of a natural dye. The present study has assessed the profitability and economic viability of henna cultivation based on the data collected from a sample of 100 farmers during 2003-04 in the Pali district of Rajasthan. Based on the factors like net present value, internal rate of return, benefit-cost ratio, henna cultivation practised by the farmers has been found to be a financially viable proposition. The financial viability parameters have been found to be more sensitive to changes in prices than cost