5 acre farm for you is best
One hectare (2.5 acres) of coriander yields about 1000-1500 kg. of coriander seeds. Coriander seeds are selling at Rs. 59-69 per kg. in the market these days. The prices may fluctuate every year. So you can get Rs. 59,000 from 2.5 acres of coriander.
You now have to calculate your production costs including the following heads of expenditure:cost of ploughing land, cost of making planting ridges/furrows, cost of seeds, cost of cowdung manure, cost of farm tools, cost of irrigation, cost of weeding and hoeing, cost of harvesting, cost of tarpaulin shade for drying, cost of gunny bags for packing, cost of farm chowkidar, cost of farm workers etc. If these costs are less than Rs. 59,000 per year then you can make a small profit from growing coriander. Otherwise it is better to go in for some other crop which will fetch you better prices.
I suggest that you grow dals as prices of dals have increased and dals will always be in demand. It is best to go in for mixed farming as prices of commodities fluctuate. And if one crop fails then there will be other crops to fall back upon.
Keeping this in mind I should think that a 5 acre farm is a must if you want to break even. With a farm of this size you will be able to keep cows on your farm and thus produce your own manure, thereby saving on fertilizer costs. Anything smaller will not allow you to keep cows or break even. I do not know how expensive farm lands are in your area, but if you can afford it then definitely go in for a 5 acre farm or a larger farm.
For further guidance on growing coriander I suggest that you contact the Spices Board in Cochin.You can go through their website:. All the best.
