<div>Background: Dairy farming has emerged as an important profitable enterprise in India as it is a source of income, especially for small and marginal farmers;the study aims to understand the reasons for increased profit of dairy farmers of South Indian states. 
 
Methods: The present study was undertaken in Southern Indian states during 2020-21 to estimate the profit efficiency of milk producers across different herd-size categories. 
 
Result: Maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) of specified profit function revealed that overall, prices of green fodder (0.1873), prices of concentrate (0.1072), veterinary service rate (0.0569) and herd size (0.7545), had a positive and significant impact on normalized profits, whereas prices of dry fodder (-0.0277) and labour wages (-0.1652) had a negative and significant impact on normalized profits, respectively. Overall, the mean profit efficiency of dairy farmers was found to be 58.65 per cent indicating 41.35 per cent of profit efficiency was lost due to technical and allocative inefficiencies in milk production. Results from the profit inefficiency model revealed that overall, education, herd size, herd composition and experience in dairy farming had a negative and significant impact on profit inefficiency.&nbsp;</div>

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Profit Efficiency among Dairy Farmers in Southern India: An Application of Stochastic Frontier Profit Function

<div>Background: Economic analysis in 20 specialized cattle and buffalo dairy farms of Gujarat was comparatively studied. The required information from selected farms was collected through personal interview.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: It was studied by working annual fixed and variable cost. Gross total income was obtained by sum of all the income generated in dairy farm by selling milk, dung and animals. The collected and derived data were subject to nonparametric test in SPSS software.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Total fixed cost was consisted of 19.06% of total cost and it was nonsignificant between cattle and buffalo farms. Total variable cost was higher in buffalo farms. The proportion of variable cost was major (80.94%) among total cost. Among total cost, feed and fodder cost was highest i.e. 63.69% followed by labour cost i.e. 15.72%. Buffalo farms were spending significantly higher amount toward dry fodder and labours. Average total income from sale of milk was Rs. 48.44 lakh (86.59%). Sale of ghee (9.81%), dung (2.72%) and animals (0.90%) was also having some contribution in return. The average net profit was Rs. 16.06 lakh per farm which was nonsignificant. Similarly, yearly overall net return per adult unit (AU) and per man day was 0.16 and 2.35 lakh, respectively. The net profit per liter of milk was Rs. 17.36 and 8.84 lakhs in buffalo farms and cattle farms, respectively. The overall benefit cost ratio was 1:1.35. Thus, it can be concluded that specialized dairy farm of crossbred cattle or buffaloes with herd strength 80-180 were profitable and viable enterprise in Gujarat.</div>

Comparative Profitability Analysis of Specialized Cattle and Buffalo Farms

<div style="text-align: justify;">In the present scenario of food production system, one of the most important challenges the Indian agriculture facing today is how to sustain farm profitability and food security. In order to feed an increasing the population 2% per year and meet the food demand (341 million tonnes by 2025), the agricultural productivity and growth need to be sustained and further improved. Food security is multidimensional crisis, which directly hits the poorest and neediest and in turn decreases their already low quality of life. The agriculture sector is the starting point for finding sustainable solution to overcome the food crisis. This situation is nodding towards rethinking about the profitable agriculture. For this concern holistic approaches have to be continued with certain aspects so that the 60&ndash;70% population associated with agriculture remains in the profession. Else wise, everyone wants to have alternate entrepreneur rather than agriculture since it is less profit oriented with high risk and needs more hard work as compared to other entrepreneurs. Diversified agriculture is an integration of several crops and livestock&rsquo;s, in production system for a higher food production and farm profitability.&nbsp;</div>

Diversified agriculture for higher productivity and profitability&ndash;A review&nbsp;

Background: Dairy-based integrated farming systems in the coastal region of West Bengal act as a climate-resilient agriculture practice. The present study examined four predominant dairy-based integrated farming systems (IFS) adopted in coastal West Bengal, focusing on the economic analysis of their interconnected components and pathways to profitability.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study used stratified random sampling methods to collect 150 farmers from 25 villages in Coastal West Bengal. To quantify the interdependence amongst various components of farming systems, Leontief static input- output model has been used. Stochastic profit frontier model had been used for analysing the profit efficiency. 
 
Result: The study found Dairy + Fishery farming system had the highest profitability of INR 328139 /ha/annum. However, it has shown the lowest mean profit efficiency (0.55). This system can increase its profitability by the more veterinary expenditure per SAU and area under fishery (Ha) in IFS model. Among all the linkages of various enterprises in IFSs, crop-to-dairy linkage in Dairy + Crop + Fishery (Input-output coefficient: 0.09) farming system was the strongest one. The study recommends targeted policy support, including subsidies on fish feed and fingerlings and financial assistance for small and marginal farmers, to foster the growth of the dairy-based farming systems.

Economic Inter-linkage Analysis of Dairy-based Integrated Farming Systems and Pathways to Profitability in the Coastal Region of West Bengal

<div>Background: A suitable cropping system seem to be the possible solution to meet the continuous increase in demand for food, stability of income and diverse requirement of food grains. Selection of suitable cropping system for conservation of resources has prime importance now a day. The cropping systems selected in study have higher potential of production along with incorporable residues during winter. The residues of cotton, castor and mustard crops (Crops in selected cropping systems) have more potential to feed nutrients to soil as compared to burning. So incorporation of such crop residues in to soil helps to recycle the nutrients to correct their deficiencies. Farmyard manure is being used as major source of organic manure in field crops. Thus to maintain the soil health, integrated nutrient management approaches involving FYM and mineral source need to be standardized. So there is need to find out agronomically efficient and economically viable cropping system which can perform better for increasing productivity and profitability with association of conservation of natural resources. 
 
Methods: The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Sixteen treatment combinations comprising of four cropping system treatments viz, C1 : Cotton- Summer Pearlmillet, C2 : Greengram + Kharif &nbsp;Castor (Relay), C3 : Greengram - Mustard - Summer Pearlmillet and C4 : Greengram - Rabi Castor and two residue incorporation treatments viz, R0 : No residue incorporation and R1 : Residue incorporation as well as two fertilizer doses viz, F1 : 100% RDN through inorganic fertilizer and F2 : 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through FYM were evaluated in the study. 
 
Result: Cotton - summer pearlmillet cropping system found significantly superior by recording higher pearlmillet equivalent yield, system productivity and system profitability while, total weed count/m2 and total weed dry weight were found the lowest under greengram- kharif castor (relay) cropping system. Residue incorporation secured top position by recording significantly the highest pearlmillet equivalent yield, system productivity and system profitability as well as lowest total weed count/m2 and total weed dry weight. Application of 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through FYM recorded significantly highest pearlmillet equivalent yield, system productivity and system profitability. In case of weed count and weed dry weight, 100% RDN through inorganic fertilizer found significantly superior by recording lowest total weed count/m2 and total weed dry weight. &nbsp;</div>

<div>Impact of Cropping Systems and Resource Conservation Techniques on Productivity and Profitability of Systems</div>

Background: Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is the most extensively sown crop among commonly produced Asiatic Vignas, viz., urdbean, mungbean, mothbean, ricebean and azukibean. In Haryana, the crop covered 28.5 thousand ha area with annual production of 19.6 thousand tonnes having productivity of 688 kg ha-1 in 2020-21. To prevent the perils of mono-cropping (paddy-wheat system) in the state, there is a need for deep transformation through inclusion of pulses like summer mungbean, in the existing cropping system. Hence, the present investigation critically examines the growth trends, economics and efficiency of resource use in summer mungbean cultivation in eastern zone of the state.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: This study uses both primary and secondary source of data. The primary data was collated from 80 summer mungbean growers using multi-stage random sampling technique. The secondary data was retrieved from various published and unpublished sources for a period of 30 years from 1991-92 to 2020-21. For measuring the growth trends and instability in the area, production and productivity of mungbean, compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and Cuddy-Della Valle index (CDVI) were computed. Simple budgeting technique was employed for calculating the economics of summer mungbean. For resource use efficiency, Cobb-Douglas production function was used.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results show a positively significant growth rate in mungbean area, production and productivity but with irregular trends. The instability in mungbean production is more pronounced in Haryana than India and is mainly attributed to area instability, while it is because of productivity instability at the country level. The mungbean is a profitable enterprise in summer season as the net returns realized to the tune of ₹ 26024 ha-1 with benefit-cost ratio of 1.43 in the study area. Further, the efficiency of resourceuse in summer mungbean exhibits increasing returns to scale. Hence, the inclusion of mungbean cultivation in summer season is profitable.

Analysing Growth Trend, Profitability and Resource Use Efficiency of Summer Mungbean in Eastern Haryana

<div>Background: Soils of North-Western Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) are deficient in zinc content which may lead to lower forage yield of cowpea. Henceforth, the adequate supply of zinc either through soil or foliar spray and selection of suitable cultivar of cowpea could enhance the fodder productivity. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design during Kharif season, 2019 to assess the effect of different zinc management practices (control; 10 kg ZnSO4; 20 kg ZnSO4; 0.5% ZnSO4 foliar spray at 20 DAS; 0.5% ZnSO4 foliar spray at 20 and 40 DAS) on productivity and profitability of cowpea cultivars (C-152; MFC-08-14; MFC-09-1) and post-harvest fertility status of soil. 
 
Result: Cowpea cv. C-152 showed the highest growth attributes, green fodder yield, nutrient content as well as uptake and net returns. Among different zinc management practices, the application of 20 kg ZnSO4 as basal application or 0.5% ZnSO4 foliar spray at 20 and 40 DAS recorded significantly highest growth, green fodder yield, nutrient content as well as uptake and net returns. Significantly highest soil OC, available N, K and Zn were also noted under these treatments. It is inferred that cowpea cv. C-152 and application of either 20 kg ZnSO4 as basal or 0.5% ZnSO4 as foliar spray at 20 and 40 DAS were found the most productive and profitable approach and sustained the soil fertility status.</div>

<div>Productivity and Profitability of Fodder Cowpea Cultivars under Various Zinc Management Practices in IGP of India</div>

<div>Majority of the farmers are marginal and small even though economy of the state is agricultural oriented; in this perspective integrated farming system (IFS) became a viable option for the farmers for their livelihood. In their farming system with the cultivation of crop and vegetables different livestock based enterprises such as dairy, poultry, piggery, fishery etc. were also important options. This present study was designed to identify the determinants effecting to adopt different livestock enterprises at the farmers level; for that purpose total 100 farmers were selected and to analysis the likelihood assess of different enterprises multinomial logit (MNL) model was applied and result says that different socio- economic variables were influencing differently the farmers to availing the livestock enterprises in different condition; such as age, land holding, experience in farming were influencing significantly the farmers to adopt the different enterprises. Further, the study has also found that norms, ethics etc were also associated within the particular social system, so in this context farmers need to be benefited with the help of different modern innovative technologies and farming practices then might be the small holder farmers of the country also will be able to see the better future. &nbsp;</div>

<div>Determinants of Likelihood Access for Different Livestock Based Enterprises by the Farmers of Tripura, India &nbsp;</div>

Background: Cropping system is an essential component of a farming system. Farmers use a variety of cropping systems based on their expertise, scientific validation is essential before recommending a certain cropping system for a specific area. The purpose of the study was to determine the yield and profitability of a diversified intensive cropping system with nutrient management strategies that are more productive and profitable than existing ones for Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s North Western Zone.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: With four replications, the experiment was set up in a strip plot style. Five treatments were used, one of which included intensive diversified cropping systems viz., C1: Groundnut-chillies-greengram, C2: Groundnut + redgram (6:1)-sorghum-blackgram, C3: Maize + fodder cowpea (1:1) - sunflower-greengram, C4: Bhendi + coriander (1:1) - tomato-blackgram, C5: Brinjal + onion (1:2) - cowpea-sunnhemp were taken in main-plots and five nutrient management practices treatments were imposed in sub-plots, including farm yard manure at 12.5 t/ha and vermicompost at 2.5, 5 and 7.5 t/ha, as well as fertilisers at variable levels of 100, 75 and 50 per cent were imposed in sub-plots.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Higher total system groundnut equivalent yield was recorded in Bhendi + coriander (1:1) - tomato - blackgram cropping system with respect to nutrient management it was recorded higher in farmyard manure @ 12.5 t/ha along with application of 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer. Higher B:C ratio and net return was recorded in Bhendi + coriander (1:1) - tomato - blackgram cropping system in terms of nutrient management it was recorded higher in farmyard manure @ 12.5 t/ha along with application of 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer.

Production and Profitability of Diversified Intensive Cropping System Suitable for North Western Zone of Tamil Nadu

Background: The basic challenge every farmer in India faces is to increase profitability level and minimize the cost. For this, it is essential to know how the cost of cultivation and profitability is changing of crops over a period of time. The present study attempted to estimate the cost of cultivation, cost of production and returns of major pulse crops in the Rajasthan state. For workout the economics of pulses crop, secondary data was collected from 2000-01 to 2021-22 which is compiled from various sources and publications for profitability analysis of pulse crop. 
 
Methods: The study was conducted in Rajasthan state and analysis done for 22 years used the &ldquo;Cost of Cultivation of Principal Crops in Rajasthan&rdquo; by DES, New Delhi uses different cost concepts for estimating costs and returns. In the present study, the cost C2 was considered for computing profitability. Cost C2 in CCPC data covers all the variables and fixed costs. 
 
Result:&nbsp; The actual cost of production of gram crop increased from Rs. 1772.32 per quintal in TE 2003 to Rs. 3650.5 per quintal in TE 2021. Return per rupee invested increased from 2.52 to 3.01 during TE 2003 to TE 2021. Cost of production of urad crop had increased from Rs. 2520.63 per quintal in TE 2003 to Rs. 7385.45 per quintal in TE 2021. The return per rupee invested in cost A2 had reduced from 2.14 in TE 2003 to 1.99 in TE 2021. Moong crop also showed increasing trend for cost of production from Rs. 2696.08 per quintal in TE 2003 to Rs. 7385.45 per quintal in TE 2021. Return for each rupee invested a increased from 2.10 in TE 2003 to 2.14 in TE 2021. Return per rupee invested was not profitable for the farmers for urad. Therefore, proper processing and procurement policy for these crops grown by the farmers should be implemented. Urad crop need more efficiently technological breakthrough to reduce cost of production and proper price incentive to pace with other pulses crops in the state.

Profit Efficiency among Dairy Farmers in Southern India: An Application of Stochastic Frontier Profit Function

Comparative Profitability Analysis of Specialized Cattle and Buffalo Farms

Diversified agriculture for higher productivity and profitability–A review

Economic Inter-linkage Analysis of Dairy-based Integrated Farming Systems and Pathways to Profitability in the Coastal Region of West Bengal

Impact of Cropping Systems and Resource Conservation Techniques on Productivity and Profitability of Systems

Analysing Growth Trend, Profitability and Resource Use Efficiency of Summer Mungbean in Eastern Haryana

Productivity and Profitability of Fodder Cowpea Cultivars under Various Zinc Management Practices in IGP of India

Determinants of Likelihood Access for Different Livestock Based Enterprises by the Farmers of Tripura, India

Production and Profitability of Diversified Intensive Cropping System Suitable for North Western Zone of Tamil Nadu

Cost of Cultivation is Rising or Profitability Rising for Major Pulse Crop? A Case from Rajasthan, India