Comparative economics of silvopasture, hortipasture and annual crops on marginal agricultural lands of arid zone of Rajasthan

An attempt was made to study the alternative cropping systems in arid zone of Rajasthan, in comparison to arable farming; The silvopasture based lives tock grazing system (silvopastoral systems), hortipasture and arable farmin g were compared. The silvopastoral and hortipasture systems were more profi table than arable farming system at 12 and 20% discount rates. Sensitivity analysis, further, confirm the results. However, the silvopastoral system w ith sheep grazing at 20% discount rate is not viable in most cases. Under n ew economic policy and GATT agreement, the alternative farming system is co nsidered to be more viable, which would not only improve the living standar d of the region but also improve the ecological balance and sustainability of the arid zone of Rajasthan.