Sustainable productivity and economics of arecanut based high density multi-species cropping system under Brahmaputra valley region of Assam.

Abstract

Field investigations were carried out on arecanut based high density multi-species cropping system at Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Research Centre, Kahikuchi, Guwahati from 1998 to 2008 to find out productivity and economics of the system. Arecanut, banana, citrus and black pepper crops were tried in two models with full, 2/3rd and 1/3rd of recommended fertilizer levels along with recycling organic biomass in the form of compost. The results on yield of different crops indicated that there was increase in the yield of main crop and component crops over the years. Yield of arecanut, citrus, pepper were higher at 2/3rd of recommended level of fertilizer coupled with organic biomass recycling in the form of compost. Banana yield was higher at full dose of recommended fertilizer. The major share of the production cost was towards labour (55 to 65 %) followed by fertilizers (30 to 40 %). The employment generated in the system was 450-475 man days compared to 250-275 man days in arecanut monocrop. The net income and B:C ratio were higher under 2/3rd of recommended fertiliser level compared to full dose and 1/3rd of recommended level of fertiliser.