Evaluation of Irrigated Farming Systems of Hot Arid Region of Northwestern Rajasthan

Abstract

A study was undertaken to identify micro farming situations (MFSs) in irrigated area of district Bikaner and assess the area under different crops, livestock composition, productivity, economics and constraints associated with crops and dairy animals in these MFS’s. Three micro farming situations viz. MFS-I: well irrigated, MFS-II: canal + well irrigated and MFS-III: canal irrigated were identified. Groundnut and clusterbean was major Kharif crops in MFS-I and MFS-II. Cotton was the major crop of kharif season in MFS-III. Wheat was major crop of rabi season in all the MFSs. The average productivity of groundnut, clusterbean and wheat was 23.0, 8.0, 18.8 q ha-1 in MFS-I and 18.7, 9.6 and 23.6 q ha-1 in MFS-II, respectively. In MFS-III, the average productivity of American cotton, cotton, wheat and mustard were 16.3, 13.4, 27.3 and 10.3 q ha-1, respectively. Groundnut was most remunerative crop in MFS-I and MFS-II, whereas in MSF-III it was wheat. Total yield gap (TYG) of crops varied from 9.0 to 26.2 q ha-1 and index of yield gap (IYG) varied from 39.3 to 49.5%. Shortage of canal water, shortage of electricity for irrigation, pest and disease incidences, frost, less remunerative price of produce and lack of improved seed were important constraints of crop production and their relative significance was crop and micro farming situation specific. Livestock composition varied considerably among different MFSs. Cow constituted 65.5, 67.1 and 39.2% and buffalo had 25.5, 29.6 and 55.7% share in total livestock in MFS-I, II and III, respectively. The average annual productivity of milk per standard animal unit (SAU) was highest in MFS-II (1125.9 kg) followed by MFS-III (1113.8 kg) and MFS-I (1058.2 kg). Dairy animal is the most remunerative in MFS-III, with highest annual net return per SAU followed by MFS-II and I. Scarcity of fodder, less remunerative price of milk and high cost of inputs were major constraint in milk production in MFS-I, II and III, respectively.