Economic impression of on‐farm research for sustainable crop production, milk yield, and livelihood options in semi‐arid regions of central India

Abstract

AbstractFarming system research (FSR) is on‐farm research that brings cutting‐edge agricultural technologies to growers to enhance farm production, family income, and livelihood status. In 2007, an on‐farm study was started on FSR in central India, and the effect was assessed after 5 yr (2012–2013) of implementation by comparing adopters and nonadopters of FSR‐based promoted technologies. Further, in 2018–2019, the status of adoption of introduced technologies was also assessed. The study revealed that improved practices such as pre‐sowing irrigation, high‐yielding varieties, and crop protection measures collectively improved the system productivity of the adopters by 28%; the improved productivity was mainly due to increased yield of blackgram (Vigna mungo L., 157%), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L., 34%), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L., 12%). Adoption of ration balancing and healthcare practices promoted under the FSR project accentuated the milk yield of farm animals (200 L yr–1 cattle–1) of adopters. The farm diversification and sustainable production practices under the FSR‐based interventions increased family income of adopters by 35% (US$1,517.7 yr–1) and employment by 42%. Adopter households averaged a 33.76% higher return per unit of investment than nonadopters. The estimated change is primarily due to the non‐neutral technological change. The findings of the study offer important lessons for the promotion of FSR‐based interventions for improving the livelihood of resource‐poor farmers in arid and the semi‐arid regions across the world.