Ecological sustainability in Rabi Sorghum cultivation: An economic analysis in Bijapur district of Karnataka

Sorghum cultivation is said to be ecologically sustainable as comparatively lesser magnitude purchased inputs are used in its cultivation. The present study was taken up to analyze the economics and ecological sustainability associated with rabi sorghum cultivation in comparison with bengalgram crop in Bijapur district of Karnataka, The results indicated that the production cost incurred per quintal of output was comparatively higher in bengalgram ( 2427/quintal) compared to rabi sorghum ( 1834/quintal). With respect to net returns per acre was higher in case of bengalgram ( 1930) compared to rabi sorghum ( 1252). The results clearly indicated that the bengalgram was more profitable than the rabi sorghum. Inspite of this, rabi sorghum holds a prominent position in the cropping pattern of the district as it is the staple food item in the consumption basket of the population. Along with profitability, sustainability is another important dimension which needs to be considered. The ratios indicating sustainability status of rabi sorghum like cost of commercial pesticides and chemical fertilizers to total cost of cultivation was less in rabi sorghum (4.94) compared to that in bengal gram (17.97) indicating less dependency on external inputs. Ratio of ecologically non-destructive inputs cost to total cost of cultivation of rabi sorghum was higher (48.71) when compared to that in bengal gram (39.71) indicating more use of eco-friendly inputs in rabi sorghum cultivation. Similarly, the ratio of returns from fodder to total cost of cultivation was around 16 in rabi sorghum cultivation indicating sustainability in terms of fodder security to livestock.