Economic Contribution to Household Dependence through Ocimum basilicum L. Cultivation: An Important Plant for Health and Livelihood Security in Kashmir Valley (J & K), India

The present study was conducted during the year 2018-19 in the Srinagar and Ganderbal district of Kashmir valley (J & K). The study was aimed to access the collection, consumption and economic contribution of Ocimum basilicum to household income and employment. The study was conducted using a well-structured questionnaire covering various aspects of the study. The total average yield/annum/family of Ocimum basilicum was recorded 3 kg. The average consumption/annum and sale/annum was 0.5 kg and 2.5 kg respectively. The household characteristics influencing the Ocimum basilicum livelihood in the locality averaged for the sample population indicated the preponderance of middle aged persons (55.9), low literate people (2.1) having large sized families (1.76), marginal sized landholdings (1.28), owning 6-10 livestock (1.76) were engaged mainly in agriculture (2.95) with family labour of mostly 3 members (2.45) and earning gross annual income of ₹60704.26 The total average gross income generated within the sample households was ₹450.00 with the total average net income generation of ₹379.48 and the total average employment of 11.21 man-days by a single household. The structure of household average gross annual income, consisting of all off-farm and on-farm sources among the surveyed population, was ₹60704.26 which was differentiated as horticulture (37.70%) followed by agriculture (26.13%), livestock (21.93%), service (11.31%), business (1.65), basil based cottage industry (0.74%), wage labour (0.41%) and others (0.13%). The livelihood security from Ocimum basilicum L. depends on multitude of various socio-economic factors and cultivation practices and knowledge. The extensive cultivation of this plant may have more positive impact on the livelihood of the local communities.