by D.S. Thakur
Professor of Agricultural Economics
Regional Research Station, Bajaura

The production and income of farmers can be increased further by the adoption of improved cropping systems under hi-tech agriculture. This can be seen from the Income Comparison page.

For higher production, income and sustainability, foodgrain crops must be intercropped with leguminous pulses and oilseeds. It is also noted that the vegetables and vegetable based cropping systems give the highest production and income per hector.

The income comparison depicts that the farmers under rainfed conditions in hills can raise their income up to Rs. 1 lakh or so and under and under irrigated conditions income can be as high as Rs. 2 lakhs with the improved cropping systems and hi-tech agriculture.

The progressive farmers under the study have already adopted the improved cropping systems. The economics thereof are given on the Income Comparison page. It is noted that with the average size holding of 1.33 ha, the intensity of cropping of the farmers is as high as 230 per cent with the adoption of improved cropping systems, given an average household gross income of Rs. 83,284 per year from cultivation of different crops.

The income comparison also shows the total income of farmers from improved cropping systems. Such high cropping intensity and farm income are sustainable only through organic farming which is being adopted by more and more farmers in Himachal Pradesh.