MMI 2.2: Identification of innovative Bt cotton based Cropping systems.

The marginal profit of cotton is being reduced year after year, despite increase in productivity. Returns are low and cotton farmers are in distress. Diversification is the national policy for risk aversion. There is a need to bring diversification in cotton based farming system at crops/time and space combinations to suit market demand/needs of other enterprise and farmer's resource base which can reduce the risk and bring better returns/ food security to cotton farmer. The high risk and distress are observed with rainfall less than 700 mm and soil water storage capacity <100mm. Short duration legume intercrops were identified and recommended in conventional hybrid cotton but their suitability in Bt hybrid cotton(changed scenario) needs to be verified with specific varieties, nutrient and planting patterns. High value cash crops such as onions, sesamum, groundnut, vegetables, drought resistant field beans and flower crops like marigold can improve and stabilize the income. In medium deep soils with rainfall 700-900 mm inter strip and sequential crops are possible. Due to synchronized maturity of Bt cotton its duration is reduced by the one month & there is possibility of double/relay cropping in conventional irrigated cotton-wheat area. With harvested rain water as supplemental irrigations under rain-fed condition. There is urgent need for developing innovative Bt hybrid cotton based cropping systems with less cost of production and better returns with ease of adoption to meet rural food security.

OBJECTIVES

  • Development of Bt cotton based remunerative intercropping systems under rain fed conditions.
  • Identification of cotton based cropping systems for maximizing net returns.
  • Establishment of remunerative Bt cotton based intercropping systems under rain fed conditions.
  • Protective irrigation with harvested rain water at critical gaps in rainy days.
  • Establishment of double cropping system.

Name of the lead centre: ANGRAU, LAM

Co-operating Centers: CICR, Nagpur, JNKVV, Indore, PDKV, Akola, MAU, Nanded, MPKV, Rahuri, UAS, Dharwad, CICR(RS), Coimbatore, UAS, Siruguppa, JAU, Jungarh, PAU, Ludhiana, CICR, RS, Sirsa.