Author(s): T. AHMED, V. S. KULKARNI, B. NAIK, HARISH M. H., HARSHA, K. N. AND KHAN. T. A.

Abstract: Farming systems approach leads to the sustainable development of agriculture without much hazardous to the environment. The whole farming, rather than the individual crops/enterprises need to be considered in the decision making under the Farming Systems approach. The study was conducted in Mandya district of southern Karnataka with an overall objective of identifying and analyzing the optimality and sustainability of different paddy based farming systems. Major farming systems identified in the study area were Farming System-I (crop production and poultry enterprises), Farming System -II (crop production and dairy enterprises). The net return in Farming System-I was. Rs.171933.81, which was found to be most profitable one and net returns in farming system-II, was Rs. 83657.88. The analysis revealed that farmers were operating closer to optimality under existing resource levels as indicated by marginal increases in net farm returns. However, with the reallocation of resources net returns were increased by 0.33% over existing plan under Farming System-I, but in case of Farming System-II there is sizeable increase in net farm returns (17.31%) over existing plan and in optimum plan- II (by relaxation of labour and capital), the net farm returns increased by 9.06 and 23.65 per cent over existing plan Farming System-I and Farming System-II respectively.

Download Full Article: Click Here