Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

A COMPARATIVE ECONOMICS OF PADDY-PADDY AND PADDY MAIZE CROPPING SYSTEM- A STUDY FROM NORTH EASTERN KARNATAKA, INDIA

H. M. Swamy, G. B. Lokesh, Amrutha T. Joshi, Suresh S. Patil and B. G. Masthanreddy

Abstract

Maize is an important cereal after wheat and rice and it is being used for various purposes such as, starch, feed, food and alcohol etc. Among the different cropping systems in India paddy-wheat cropping system occupies highest area followed by paddy-paddy and paddy-maize. Recently, due to changing scenario of natural resource base. Paddy-maize cropping system has emerged as a potential cropping system in India. The present study aimed at evaluating the comparative economics of paddy-paddy and paddy-maize cropping system in canal irrigated situation. The Cobb-Douglas production analysis revealed that paddy-paddy cropping system was marginally profitable compared to paddy-maize; however, the benefits are more in terms of resource use efficiency in paddy–maize cropping system. Inputs such as seeds, fertilizer and plant protection chemicals were negatively contributing to output, as they are applied in excess quantities in paddy-paddy cropping system. This may leads to deterioration of soil health. Hence care to be taken to educate and create awareness among the farmers about the benefits of diversified cropping systems and therefore extension efforts, economic incentives and right price policy are needed for promotion of this cropping system in command areas for sustainable use of resources.