Economics of Bt cotton based cropping systems in Vidarbha

Abstract

The field research exploration was successfully conducted at Research Farm of Agriculture Research Station, Yavatmal under Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola in Vidarbha region during consecutive seasons of Kharif–Rabi-Summer 2020-21 to 2022-2023. The Bt cotton based cropping system was investigated under optimal resource utilization with six different cropping systems for profitability in Vidarbha region. The mid late duration kharif cotton (PDKV JKAL-116) ̶ summer groundnut (TAG-24) cropping sequence witnessed significantly the highest cotton equivalent yield (4301 kg ha-1) with highest GMR (Rs. 248206 ha-1), NMR (Rs. 167117 ha-1) and B:C ratio of 3.06, during field investigation. However, early duration kharif cotton (Ajit-5) ̶ chickpea cropping sequence (C3) registered the highest system profitability of Rs. 476 kg/day/ha, which was closely followed by cropping system C6 i.e. mid late duration kharif cotton ̶ summer groundnut sequence (Rs. 474 kg/day/ha).