From Orchard to Market: A Comparative Cost and Return Analysis of Mango in the Realm of Agro-Eco-Tourism

India, an agrarian economy with a population of 1.36 billion, has seen a decline in the contribution of agriculture to its GDP, resulting in farmer distress and a search for alternative income sources. This study explored the economic implications of integrating mango orchards with agro-eco-tourism in the Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka, a major mango-producing region. The research compared the costs and returns of mango cultivation between farmers practicing agro-eco-tourism (FPT) and those not practicing it (FNPT). The study involved 90 respondents, including 15 FPT farmers, 20 FNPT farmers, and 25 market intermediaries. Data were collected through structured interviews and analyzed using cost and return analysis, marketing efficiency, and socio-economic factors. The results revealed that FPT farmers incurred higher costs due to tourism-related activities but achieved significantly higher yields and returns compared to FNPT farmers. FPTs also benefited from better land utilization, higher literacy rates, and a greater proportion of irrigated land. Marketing efficiency was higher for FPTs due to direct consumer engagement, with a notable increase in the producers’ share in the consumer’s rupee. The study concluded that mango agro-eco-tourism offered a viable and profitable strategy for improving farm income and sustainability. The findings suggested that agro-eco-tourism could play a crucial role in enhancing the livelihoods of mango farmers in Karnataka, serving as a model for rural development and poverty alleviation in other regions facing similar agricultural challenges.