Productivity and profitability of lowland rainfed rice (Oryza sativa) - based cropping sequences in Andaman

An experiment was conducted for 3 years during 1993-96 on the productivity and profitability of rice and rice-based cereal, maize (Zea mays L.); pulse s, greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L.) and blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.); oi lseeds, sesame (Sesamum indicum L.); and vegetables, cowpea (Vigna unguicul ata (L.) Walp) and okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) sequences in the farmers' field in Andaman Islands. The results revealed that the rice-vegetable crop ping sequences gave higher yield equivalent than others. The production eff iciencies of rice-vegetable cropping sequences were higher (31.1-46.9 kg/ha /day) compared to rice-cereals and rice-pulses. The land-use efficiency of these sequences were also higher to the maximum extent of 97.3%. However, t he energy input-output ratio was higher with sesame (1.79 and 1.88) in 2 an d 3 crop sequences than others. The net returns and benefit : cost ratio of the rice-vegetable (cowpea and okra) sequences Rs17 145-25 825 and 1.65-1. 86 respectively) were significantly higher than all other sequences. Employ ment potential was also higher with these crop sequences. However, double c rop of rice increased significantly the rice equivalent yield net returns a nd efficiencies of the crop sequences over single crop of rice. Therefore, rice-rice-vegetables like okra/cowpea proved highly productive and remunera tive cropping sequences in these islands.