Enhancing agricultural income of smallholder farmers through land use options – evidences from Sundarbans, West Bengal

One of the key objectives of Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) of the Government of India is to develop agriculture and allied activities through promotion of integrated farming system that have direct positive impact on the livelihoods of disadvantaged people. Agriculture, though primary occupation of majority of people in the coastal region of Sundarbans in West Bengal, the current farming practices are inadequate to provide decent livelihoods to the resource poor small-holder farmers. Lack of irrigation water, salinity as well as acidity (localized) in dry season and waterlogged conditions during wet season restrict crop choices. There are several alternative land use options for promotion of integrated farming systems that can provide fairly better incomes and livelihoods to farmers. This paper has analyzed effectiveness of some of these land management options coupled with better soil fertility management, particularly in the disadvantaged island ecosystem in coastal West Bengal. Such interventions have increased cropping intensity from 128% to 288% and per hectare return from Rs. 73,623 to Rs. 1,58,730 over the prevailing practices. Also, soil quality in terms of pH, ECe (salinity) and organic carbon content has improved significantly. Return to investment on alternative land use options have been encouraging with positive internal rate of return (34%), net present value (Rs.100343), benefit cost ratio (1.17) and pay-back period (1.26 years).