Production efficiency and economic viability of rice (oryza sativa L.) based cropping systems through diversification and intensification in kymore plateau and satpura hill zone of Madhya Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted during 2008–09 and 2009–10 at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh on sandy clay loam soils, to find out higher productivity and economics of rice (Oryza sativa L.) based cropping system through diversification and intensification under irrigated ecosystem. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with four replication and 12 treatments. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) and Hy. rice – potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) – ground nut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and scented rice – berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) sequence gave significantly higher rice equivalent yield. A different cropping sequences of Hy. rice – gobhisarson (Brassica campestris) – yield (184.75, 155.92 and 143.18 q/ha, respectively) and gross returns (Rs 153707, 132404 and 119259/ha respectively). The highest net return of Rs 109504/ha/year were realized from Hy. rice – gobhisarson – okra and followed by Hy. rice – potato – groundnut (77779/ha/year). However, the benefit: cost ratio was highest (3.47) in Hy. rice – gobhisarson – okra. Similarly, these cropping sequence also recorded higher production efficiency (52.48 kg/ha/day). Inclusion of oilseed, pulse, vegetables, ornamental or fodder crops resulted in higher rice equivalent yield, gross returns, net returns, production efficiency and benefit: cost ratio of rice based cropping system.