Economic Evaluation of Isabgol, Chana and Moth Under AFRI Clone-Based Dalbergia sissoo Agroforestry Systems in Arid Western Rajasthan

Abstract

A three-year field investigation was carried out on farmers’ fields in western Rajasthan to evaluate the economic performance of crops grown under Dalbergia sissoo AFRI clones (DS1, DS2, DS4) and sissoo seedlings during the early establishment phase of agroforestry systems. The study included crops including Isabgol (2023), Chana (2024) and Moth (2025) corresponding to 0, 1 and 2-year-old plantation. The costs of cultivation were ?14,500 ha?¹ for Isabgol, ?12,500 ha?¹ for Chana, and ?10,500 ha?¹ for Moth, calculated uniformly across treatments to isolate the effects of tree-crop interactions. Economic indicators including gross return, net income and B:C ratio were computed across treatments: sole crop, DS1, DS2, DS4 and sissoo. Results indicated negligible variation in Isabgol and Chana returns during the year 2023 and 2024 respectively, due to minimal shade and root interference from young trees, yielding net incomes of ?35,500-40,500 ha?¹ and ?27,500-32,500 ha?¹, respectively. By the year 2025, moderate competition emerged, particularly under the vigorous DS1 clone, reducing Moth net income to ?24,500 ha?¹, while DS2, DS4 and sissoo maintained higher profitability. Overall, the study demonstrates that intercrops remain economically viable during early tree establishment, with noticeable competition effects arising as trees mature.