Enhancing Sustainability, Profitability, and Energy Efficiency through Input Interventions in Existing Farming System in Southern Plain Zone of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Introduction: India is one of the major players in the agriculture sector worldwide and it is the primary source of livelihood for around 55% of India’s population. According to second advance estimates, agriculture & allied sector share 17.60 % in total GVA at current prices in year 2023-24 and the share of industry and service is 27.60 % and 54.90 % respectively. For strengthening the agriculture and enhancing the contribution of agriculture in total GVA, we need to some interventions in for achieve the stated objectives. This study examines input interventions to enhance the sustainability, profitability, and energy efficiency of small and marginal farmers in the Southern Plain Zone of Rajasthan, India. Methodology: • Analytical tools: - Tabular analysis and energy efficiency tools were used for the reached to findings of the study. • Data Collection: - The primary data collection were conducted from two study period, i.e Period-I (2012-13 to 2015-16), Period-II (2016-17 to 2021-22). In period-I, 60 farmers were selected from Udaipur district and in period-II, 60 farmers were selected from Dungarpur district. A multistage sampling technique was used for the sampling. The District were selected on the basis of higher and lower productivity of maize and wheat crop in tribal area, respectively, and the village were selected by random sampling. Findings: Introduction of improved maize and wheat cultivars resulted in yield increases of 25%-43% in Udaipur and 47%-61% in Dungarpur compared to conventional varieties. Successful vegetable cultivation led to average net returns of 145.9% (₹127989) in Udaipur and 153.17% (₹121039) in Dungarpur, increasing employment opportunities. Livestock management interventions improved milk yield by 650-850 liters per lactation, and Goatery and poultry farming revenue increased by 16.07% and 14.20%-15.70%, respectively. Energy efficiency ratios varied across farming systems, with Crop alone exhibiting the highest ratio (3.25) in Udaipur and Crop + Dairy + Horticulture showing notable efficiency (1.56) in Dungarpur. Integration of goat rearing decreased energy use efficiency by up to 10.88%, while vegetable cultivation and poultry rearing increased efficiency by up to 7.58% and 2.75%, respectively. Conclusion: Intervention of high yielding varieties enhance the farm income of sample farmers in study area but livestock systems were least efficient due to high feed requirements. Dungarpur showed higher energy efficiency in crop and vegetable production but lower efficiency in Goatery compared to Udaipur. These findings highlight the significance of technological interventions for improving farming sustainability, profitability, and energy efficiency.