Yield gap and constraints in jasmine cultivation and suggestions to increase the production in Tamil Nadu, India

Floriculture has emerged as an important sub-sector of agriculture as a source of income for small and marginal farmers. In India, Tamil Nadu state is the leading producer of jasmine with an annual production of 77,247 tonnes from the cultivated area of 9,360 ha. In Madurai District of TamilNadu, jasmine is being cultivated in an area of 1,250 hectares with an average productivity of 7.85 tonnes per hectare and is famous for its GI product Madurai Malli. Even though the area is more the scientific way of cultivation is poor. The small and marginal farmers are facing many problems not only in cultivation but also in marketing their produce. Hence, they are unable to meet the demands of raw flowers required from industries and other countries.