Productivity, profitability and soil sustainability of small-holding farming system through suitable cropping systems

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Centre for Research on Integrated Farming Systems, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, during 2016–17 to 2018–19, to study the effect of different cropping system as component of small-holding farming systems of North Gujarat. Total 8 cropping systems were evaluated based on system productivity, system profitability and possible viability. The pooled result of 3 years experiments indicated that, pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]–potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)– groundnut (Arachis hypgaea L.) cropping system recorded significantly higher groundnut-equivalent yield (8.65 t/ ha) and same trend was observed in cropping sequences for system productivity (23.70 kg/ha/day), system profitability (` 613/ha/day) and net profit (` 223,610/ha), which was at par with groundnut– potato–pearlmillet (` 203,605/ha) and Bt. cotton (HDP) (Gossypium sp.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–fodder sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] (` 192,540/ha) cropping sequence. The crop sequence castor (Ricinus communis L.)-all in greengram [Vigna radiate (L.) R. Wilczek] recorded the highest benefit : cost ratio (1.83), while Bt. cotton + sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) (incorporation at flowering stage)-castor–bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) generated the maximum employment generation (303 man-days/year), followed by Bt. cotton (HDP) + wheat–fodder sorghum (259 man-days/year).