Himachal Journal of Agricultural Research

S. S. Rana ¹, S. K. Sharma ¹, S. C. Negi ¹, Rajju Priya Soni ¹, Mitu Katoch ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, Forages and Grassland Management, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur-176 062, IN

Abstract

The study was conducted in five districts viz. Una and Bilaspur representing zone I, Kangra and Mandi representing zone II and Kullu representing the Zones III and IV of Himachal Pradesh. There was a total sample of 360 respondents (72 in each district). Enterprise-wise gross income as realized by the farmers during 2012-13 formed the basis of present investigation. In all 103 sub-farming systems were identified. The maximum number of sub-farming systems was under Livestock based system (46) followed by cereals based (28), fruit based (15), vegetable based (10), other enterprises based (2) and oilseed based (1). Based on the adoption of sub-farming systems by larger number of households, the most preferred farming systems were (first two from the first four categories): Livestock+cereals (26 households), Livestock+cereals+fodder+vegetables (22 households), Cereals+livestock (28 households), Cereals+livestock+fodder+vegetables (14 households), Fruits (15 households), Fruits+livestock (14 households), Vegetables+livestock (6 households), and Vegetables+livestock+cereals (2 households). Livestock based farming systems followed by cereals based farming systems were the dominating farming systems in Zone I and II of Himachal Pradesh. In these zones 63.9 and 59.7% of the farmers were dependent on Livestock based farming systems and 33.3 and 36.8% farmers, respectively, were dependent on cereals based farming systems. In Zone III fruit growing was main activity and 72.2% of the households were dependent on fruit based farming systems. This was followed by vegetable based farming systems from which 23.6% of the households earn their livelihood. Overall fruits (36.4%) had highest share in the gross income which was followed by livestock production (28.77%), cereals (23.28%) and vegetables (8.11%).

Keywords

Farming System, Cereal Based, Livestock Based, Fruit Based, Vegetable Based.

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S. K. Sharma ¹, S. C. Negi ¹, Pawan Pathania ¹, Rajju Priya Soni ¹, Mittu Katoch ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, Forages and Grassland Management, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur - 176 062, IN

Abstract

The characterization survey of 306 farm families were conducted in Amb and Bangana blocks of Una district using multistage random sampling method. Crops + Livestock farming system adopted by 74.5% of the total households was found as the major Farming System prevalent in the area. Percent income contribution to the total farm income varied from 58.7% to 85.8% among large and marginal farms respectively. Among different enterprises, contribution of income from crop production to the total farm income in the sample farms varied from 49.7% to 73.9% among large and marginal sample farms. Overall contribution of crop production enterprise averaged over all the categories in the sample households was 62.50%. Study revealed that majority of the farmers in Amb and Bangana blocks face non-availability of quality seed as a major constraint for crop production. Lack of proper feed for animals and lack of access to veterinary service centre were surveyed to major constraint in respect of livestock component. Menace of wild and stray animals was recorded to the major socio-economic constraint limiting the crop production in the district.

Keywords

Farming System, Income, Constraints, Characterization.

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