Sustainable production system for livelihood – A micro approach

The sustainable livestock-crop production system has been examined for livelihood in different agro-climatic sub-zones of the states of Bihar and Jharkhand by collecting micro-level data from the selected farmers/households under Mission Mode Project of NATP on ‘Livestock-crop Production System for Sustainable Production’ during the year 2001–02. According to the study, Buffalo + Crop Production System (BCPS) is the most sustainable production system for generating income and employment, followed by the Crossbred Cow + Crop Production System (CCCPS). In the Jharkhand state, Livestock (more than one) + Crop Production System (LCPS) has been found to possess much potential in generating income and employment in rural areas of all the agro-climatic zones. However, Goat + Crop Production System (GCPS) has been adopted by 48–52 per cent farmers/households and has much potential in raising income and employment on landless, marginal and small farmers/households. The farm profit analysis has revealed that gross income (G.I.) and family labour income (FLI) are highest in BCPS (Rs 1,31,539 and Rs 50,322), followed by LCPS (Rs 1,21,477 and Rs 47,684) and CCCP (Rs 56,607 and Rs 16,383) system in the Bihar state. Similarly, in the Jharkhand state, LCP system and GCP system have been found to fetch annual income in the form of G.I. and F.L.I. as Rs 23,803 and Rs 1,59,115 and Rs 21,460 and Rs 14,875, respectively. The total annual human labour employment per household (in humandays) under BCPS, LCPS, CCCPS and GCPS has been of 1077, 1004, 387 and 274, respectively. It has been concluded that Livestock Crop Production System is a sustainable production system for the economic development and livelihood.