Crop diversification for management of risk in agriculture-An economic analysis of maize based intercropping system in Karnataka

Crop diversification is an advanced technique for reducing risk in agriculture by cultivation two or more crops in the same area of land has been practiced in India in recent decades and achieved success in management of risk in agriculture substantially. Cereal-legume based intercropping systems are prevailed in India in general and Karnataka in particular. Maize is one of the major cereal crops grown in Karnataka. It is grown both under mono cropping and maize based intercropping systems. In view of the wide fluctuations in climatic conditions in general and erratic behavior of rainfall in rainfed areas in particular are posing risk in agriculture production. Present paper attempted to analyse the impact of maize based intercropping system over its mono cropping system on reduction of risk and increase in income of the farm households in Haveri district of north Karnataka. Multistage sampling procedure was followed for selection of 120 sample maize growing farmers. Budgeting technique was used to analyze the data. Inputs utilization pattern revealed except additional quantity of redgram seeds(2.50 kg) and plant protection chemicals(33 ml), the rest of the inputs such as fertilizer was equal in both the systems, which not only reduce the cost of cultivation but also efficient utilitation of input resources. The gross return, cost of cultivation and net return realised in maize mono cropping system was Rs.29, 237 Rs. 22, 165, and Rs 7072 respectively, where as in case of maize based inter cropping system these figures in that order were Rs. 41, 358, Rs.23, 892 and Rs.17, 466 respectively. The B-C Ratios in that order in these systems were 1.32 and 1.73. Based on the findings of the study it can be concluded that the maize based intercropping system not only doubled the net income of the farm households but also enhanced the employment opportunity, reduced the cost of cultivation and efficient utilization of inputs and land resources besides maintaining the fertility status of the soil.