- Start with Rama or Krishna Tulsi for best yield and market value.
- Prepare well-drained loamy soil and plant in June–July or Feb–March
- Maintain 40×40 cm spacing and irrigate every 7–10 days in summer.
- Expect 4–5 tons leaf yield per acre with proper care.
- Sell directly to Ayurvedic companies, herbal tea brands, or exporters for better rates.
- Plan for 2–3 harvests per year to maximize profits.
Tulsi farming profit per acre can be surprisingly rewarding when done correctly—the herb yields high demand and strong margins. In this article, you’ll learn everything from how much profit tulsi farming can generate per acre to step-by-step cultivation tips that even a 15-year-old can follow, making it both easy and engaging. Follow along to uncover proven methods, costs, yields, challenges, and expert notes to maximise your tulsi farming earnings.
Why Tulsi Farming is Profitable
Tulsi’s profitability comes from its strong demand, multi-use nature, and export potential. Farmers benefit from low cultivation costs and multiple harvests per year.
Reasons for Profitability:
- High Demand: Used in Ayurvedic medicines, herbal tea, and cosmetics.
- Low Maintenance: Drought-tolerant and adaptable to different soils.
- Multiple Harvests: 2–3 harvests in one year.
- Export Market: High demand in the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.
Key Benefits of Tulsi Farming
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Cultivation Period | 3–4 months |
| Harvests per Year | 2–3 |
| Water Requirement | Low |
| Profit Potential | ₹60,000–₹1,20,000/acre |
Expert Tip: Tulsi oil is more profitable for exports than selling leaves alone.
Suitable Climate & Soil for Tulsi Farming
Climate and soil quality play a major role in determining tulsi yield and oil content. Selecting the right conditions ensures better profitability.
Ideal Climate:
- Temperature: 20–30°C
- Rainfall: 500–700 mm/year
- Best Seasons: June–July (Kharif) and Feb–March (Rabi)
Soil Requirements:
- Well-drained loamy/sandy loam
- pH: 6.0–7.5
- Rich in organic matter
Note: Avoid waterlogging; it reduces plant survival and oil content.
Popular Tulsi Varieties
Choosing the right tulsi variety is crucial as it impacts leaf yield, oil yield, and market demand. Each type has its own speciality.
| Variety | Feature | Yield/acre |
|---|---|---|
| Rama Tulsi | Broad leaves, aromatic | 4–5 tons |
| Krishna Tulsi | Purple leaves, high medicinal value | 3–4 tons |
| Vana Tulsi | Strong aroma, wild type | 4 tons |
Expert Note: Rama Tulsi is preferred for oil extraction; Krishna Tulsi for medicinal purposes.
Land Preparation & Sowing
Proper land preparation ensures healthy tulsi plants and higher yields. It’s the foundation for any successful farming venture.
Steps:
- Plough 2–3 times to fine tilth.
- Add 10–15 tons of FYM per acre.
- Prepare seedbeds (4–6 ft wide).
- Maintain spacing of 40×40 cm.
Seed Rate: 100–120 g/acre (direct sowing or transplanting seedlings after 6 weeks).
Tip: Pre-soak seeds for 12 hours to improve germination.
Irrigation & Crop Management
Effective irrigation and timely crop care improve yield and maintain leaf quality.
Irrigation Schedule:
- First irrigation: Immediately after transplanting.
- Summer: Every 7–10 days
- Winter: Every 12–15 days
Weeding: 2–3 times during the crop cycle.
Fertilisation: Nitrogen 40–50 kg + Phosphorus 20–25 kg per acre.
Note: Organic manures improve leaf aroma and oil content.
Harvesting & Yield
Timely harvesting ensures better oil quality and market price.
Harvesting Details:
- First harvest: 90–95 days after sowing.
- Subsequent harvests: Every 65–75 days.
- Leaf yield: 4–5 tons/acre/year
- Oil yield: 10–15 kg/acre
Tip: Harvest in the morning for maximum oil retention.
Cost & Profit Analysis
A clear understanding of expenses and income helps in better financial planning.
| Expense Head | Cost (₹/acre) |
|---|---|
| Land Prep | 4,000 |
| Seeds | 1,000 |
| Manure/Fertilizer | 6,000 |
| Irrigation | 3,000 |
| Labour | 8,000 |
| Miscellaneous | 3,000 |
| Total | 25,000 |
Returns:
- Leaves: ₹80,000–₹1,50,000
- Oil (optional): ₹36,000
Net Profit: ₹60,000–₹1,20,000/acre/year.
Marketing & Selling
The selling strategy decides the final profit. Tulsi products have both domestic and international buyers.
Markets:
- Herbal medicine companies
- Tea manufacturers
- Cosmetic brands
- Export traders
Tip: Contract farming ensures stable income and reduces price fluctuation risk.
Conclusion
Tulsi farming is a low-cost, high-return agricultural business. With proper care, suitable variety selection, and strategic marketing, farmers can earn over ₹1 lakh per acre annually.
Explore more blogs to boost your farming knowledge and make smarter agri-business moves.
FAQs
Farmers can earn between ₹60,000 to ₹1,20,000 per acre annually, depending on variety, yield, and market price.
On average, farmers can get 4,000–5,000 kg (4–5 tons) of leaves per acre per year.
Rama Tulsi gives high leaf and oil yield, making it profitable for large-scale farming.
The first harvest can be done 90–95 days after planting, and subsequent harvests every 65–75 days.
Dried tulsi leaves generally sell for ₹20–₹30 per kg in the domestic market.
Around 10–15 kg of oil can be extracted per acre, depending on variety and distillation process.
No, Tulsi is drought-tolerant and requires irrigation every 7–10 days in summer and 12–15 days in winter.
Total expenses range from ₹25,000 to ₹30,000 per acre, including seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, and labour.
Yes, organic tulsi fetches higher prices in herbal and export markets.
Tulsi can be planted in June–July for the Kharif season and February–March for the Rabi season.
