Economic feasibility of Tephrosia based alley cropping system in Jharkhand

Abstract

An agroforestry field trial on alley cropping system was carried out during the year 2023-24 at Birsa Agricultural University, Kake, Ranchi, Jharkhand. The study aimed to evaluate the performance of a Tephrosia candida (Hoary Pea) based alley cropping system intercropped with arable crops (each during Kharif and Rabi) and sole crops. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block design with four replications and 10 (ten) treatments viz., T1 (Tephrosia candida + G. max/ L. usitatissimum), T2 (Tephrosia candida + E. coracana/ P. sativum), T3 (Tephrosia candida + A. hypogaea/ L. esculenta), T4 (Tephrosia candida + V. mungo/ B. nigra), T5 (Tephrosia candida + S. indicum/ C. arietinum) Tephrosia, T6 (Sole G. max/ L. usitatissimum), T7 (Sole E. coracana/ P. sativum), T8 (Sole A. hypogaea/ L. esculenta), T9 (Sole V. mungo /B. nigra), T10 (Sole S. indicum/ C. arietinum). Economic feasibility of Tephrosia based alley cropping system was evaluated with the following parameters; Cost of cultivation (? ha-1), Gross return (? ha-1), Net return (? ha-1), and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR). Economic analysis revealed that the system fetches more economic worth under alley cropping system as compared to sole cropping. The highest annual gross return (? 2,57,416.5 ha-1), net return (?2,08,701.30 ha-1) and B:C ratio (4.28) of the system was obtained under T3 (T. candida + A. hypogaea/ L. esculenta). Thus, the study indicated that Tephrosia candida based alley cropping systems was found to be more profitable and economically viable option for the farmers of Jharkhand in order to improve their income and uplifting their livelihood.