Economics of cotton based farming systems in Maharashtra

Cotton based farming system is one of the major farming system in Vidharbha and Marathwada region of Maharashtra. The larger the family size lower the education of heads of farm family was observed. Cropping pattern was dominated by cotton, cereals, oilseeds and pulses. Expenditure on labour, seed, farm machinery, fertilizer & manures and irrigation constituted about 40 per cent of the gross crop income. Livestock business was not found profitable and there is a need of intensive supervision of livestock improvement programmes running in the area. Non-food items constituted the major share in family expenditure. If off farm income is excluded there will be no saving even for medium farm households. Farm size, education and experience, human labour employment and fertilizer & chemicals contributing significantly positive towards farm income. Study suggests that improved low cost farm practices, and reliable prices of their farm produce is needed for improvement in productivity and profitability of crops and livestock in the area. This will enable farmers to bear the high cost of health and education in the era of commercialization.