Assessment of the Productivity and Profitability of Alternate Cropping System for Diversification of Rice –Wheat Cropping System
Rajesh Kumar
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, CCS Haryana Agricultural University (Ujha) Panipat, Haryana, India.
Desh Raj Choudhary
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, CCS Haryana Agricultural University Jhajjar, Haryana, India.
Satpal Singh
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, CCS Haryana Agricultural University (Ujha) Panipat, Haryana, India.
Mansi Bishnoi *
Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field study was conducted from 2022-23 to 2023-24 through on-farm trials in Panipat district, Haryana, India, to evaluate alternative cropping systems to the traditional rice–wheat system in terms of productivity and profitability. The experiment compared three cropping systems: rice– wheat, rice – wheat with muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) in a relay system, and rice – mustard – muskmelon. Results indicated that the system productivity of the rice-mustard-muskmelon and rice-wheat+muskmelon relay cropping systems surpassed the traditional rice-wheat system by 68.3% and 49.7%, respectively. Furthermore, rice-mustard-muskmelon provided significantly higher gross (Rs. 4,66,104) and net returns (Rs. 3,32,084) compared to the other cropping systems. The findings suggest that the rice – mustard – muskmelon cropping system reduces the buildup of pests and diseases common to rice-wheat cropping system, increased land productivity, and broaden a farmer's sources of income and food. Thus, it is a viable and more remunerative alternative to the conventional rice – wheat system and holds promise for enhancing sustainability and income generation in the Indo - Gangetic Plains.
Keywords: Cropping system, net returns, system productivity, yield, benefit, cost ratio