Comparative economics of different farming systems In Himachal Pradesh

The farming systems represent integration of farm enterprises such as cropping systems, animal husbandry, fisheries, forestry, horticulture, etc. for optimal utilization of resources by the farmers. Farming systems of households in Solan, Shimla and Kangra districts of Himachal Pradesh were analyzed based on the primary data collected through a sample of 92 farmers by using two-stage stratified random sampling technique during the year 2016–17. About 63.03 per cent of the total farmers were found to be marginal, 23.91 per cent small farmers and 13.04 per cent other farmers. A total of nine farming systems including some non-farm componentswere identified. The average income of marginal farmers was highest in Agri+Wages type of system whereas average income of small and other farmers was highest from Horti+ Shop type of system. Across the categories, other farmers earned more than marginal and small farmers from the same patch of land. This gap was because of non-availability of credit to marginal and small farmers.