Resource use pattern of different crops under existing farming systems in Himachal Pradesh

The present study was carried out to monitor and assess the present scenario of resource use pattern in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. The study was based on the primary data collected from 160 sample households. Stratified two-stage random sampling technique was employed for selecting the sample households. In the present investigation, income approach was used for the identification of farming systems. The nomenclature of the farming system derived its name from the farming component that contributed maximum share to the farm family income. In the case of land use pattern, the Cultivated Land Utilisation Index (CLUI) indicated that the area under different crops was not properly used and a portion was kept fallow. Regarding the resource use pattern in different crops, the negative gap was observed in existing seed use pattern for various crops which indicated that growers were using very high seed rate on their farms due to poor germination by lacking the irrigation facilities. In the case of fertilisers application, positive gap was observed. The gap indicated that farmers were applying very less fertilisers as compared to recommend dose due to non-availability of credit and lack of awareness regarding nutrients.