Production Efficiency and Profitability of Forage Based Cropping Systems under Mid Hills of North-Western Himalayas

A field experiment was conducted from rabi 2000 to kharif 2008 to study the effect of different forage based cropping systems on productivity, sustainability, nutrient use productivity, monetary efficiency and soil properties under mid hill conditions of north-western Himalaya. Eight cropping systems were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Oat (Avena sativa L.) + fodder sarson (Brassica rapa L.) - fodder maize (Zea mays L.) + fodder cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) cropping system resulted in highest green fodder equivalent yield (60. 77 t/ha/year) with better production efficiency (166 kg/ha/day) and sustainable yield index (0.99). In terms of net returns, wheat - fodder maize cropping system maintained superiority (Rs.39,676/ha/year) with monetary efficiency of Rs.109/ha/day. Systems comprised of short duration crops and legumes, resulted in improvement in available soil NPK. However, inclusion of sorghum and guinea grass in the cropping system did not improved soil nitrogen status even after the completion of eight crop cycles.