Production Potential and Economics of Different Crops under Varying Physiographic Conditions in Damodar Command Area (Part), West Bengal, India

Abstract

Rice-rice cropping system is the predominant cropping pattern in the majority of Damodar command area, West Bengal. However optimized utilization of resources towards enhanced overall crop productivity as well as economic return and at the same time maintenance soil quality, crop diversity is important. Present study evaluates the on-field crop suitability and economic viability of vegetables (potato, chilli), oilseed (mustard, sesame) and pulses (black gram) towards formulation of alternate rice based cropping system; for enabling better yield potentials and economics in the study area. Comparative yield evaluation of the selected crops indicated highest yield (rice equivalent yield, REY) of potato in upland and midland (mean 12128 and 12098 kg/ha respectively) followed by that of chilli (mean 7834 and 7315 kg/ha in upland and midland respectively). In case of lowland conditions however, no alternate remunerative options for rice could be observed. The study showed that different vegetable, pulses and oilseeds can be grown in the area with standard management practice. Inclusion of vegetables, pulses and oilseeds in the existing cropping pattern could give higher net returns than rice after rice.

Keywords: Crop suitability, Damodar command area, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables

Cite this Article

Bera R, Seal A, Das TH et al. Production Potential and Economics of Different Crops under Varying Physiographic Conditions in Damodar Command Area (Part), West Bengal, India. Research & Reviews: Journal of Crop Science and Technology. 2017; 6(3): 1–9p.