Influence of diversification of rice (Oryza sativa)wheat (Triticum aestivum) system on productivity, energetics and profitability under on-farm conditions

A field experiment was conducted at farmers fields in the district of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, during 200910 and 201011, to find out the alternate efficient cropping systems for rice ( Or yza sativa L.)wheat [ Tr iticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.] in western Himalayas. Five cropping systems including the existing ricewheat system were tested at 12 farmers fields as researcher designed farmer managed trials. The wheat equivalent yield under the ricepotato ( Solanum tuberosum L.)greengram [ Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek], ricepotatoveg- etable cowpea [ Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] and ricevegetable pea ( Pisum sativum L.)vegetable Frenchbean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was 135, 124 and 105% higher than the ricewheat system. The ricepotatogreengram cropping system recorded highest net returns ( 1,61,928/ha), followed by ricevegetable peavegetable Frenchbean ( 1,58,192/ha) and ricepotatovegetable cowpea cropping systems ( 1,52,415/ha). The highest benefit: cost ratio (1.93) was recorded with the ricevegetable peavegetable Frenchbean cropping system owing to its lower cost of cultivation and higher returns.