Economics of Ragi-based Cropping Systems in the Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka: A Comparative Analysis of Costs, Returns and Profitability

Abstract

Finger millet (ragi, Eleusine coracana L.) plays an important role in ensuring food and nutritional security and supporting rural livelihoods in the rainfed regions of peninsular India. Karnataka accounts for more than two-thirds of India's total ragi production. Despite its nutritional value and drought tolerance, ragi cultivation faces challenges such as rising cultivation costs, a declining area under cultivation, and the adoption of less remunerative cropping systems. The present study examined the economics of four major ragi-based cropping systems in the Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka during the 2023–24 agricultural year. Primary data were collected from 90 purposively selected farmers using a pre-tested, structured interview schedule. The cropping systems included sole ragi cultivation, ragi + field bean intercropping, ragi + red gram intercropping, and ragi + field bean with cowpea as a boundary crop. The cost of cultivation was estimated by classifying expenditure into variable and fixed cost components according to standard farm-management methods, and the cropping systems were compared using descriptive economic indicators. The results showed differences in the economic performance of the four systems. Among the sampled farmers, the ragi + field bean intercropping system recorded the highest average net returns (₹8,306.27 acre⁻¹) and benefit–cost ratio (1.24). It was followed by the ragi + field bean + cowpea boundary-crop system, with average net returns of ₹7,286.50 acre⁻¹ and a benefit–cost ratio of 1.20, and the ragi + red gram system, with average net returns of ₹6,391.25 acre⁻¹ and a benefit–cost ratio of 1.19. Sole ragi cultivation recorded the lowest average net returns (₹5,171.36 acre⁻¹) and a benefit–cost ratio of 1.17. Human labour constituted the largest share of total cultivation cost across all systems, accounting for approximately 29–31 per cent. The findings indicate that, under the study conditions, diversified ragi-based intercropping systems generated higher returns than sole cultivation. Extension support, timely input supply, and improved market linkages may therefore help farmers evaluate and adopt suitable intercropping practices.