Title: Economics of Different Horticultural Crops under Arecanut Based Multistoreyed Cropping System in West Bengal Condition
Abstract: Multi-storey cropping is practiced for growing two or more crops in the inter spaces during main crop growing season and which include both inter and mixed cropping. Mixed cropping in arecanut plantation has promoted more growth and yield of main crop of arecanut as indicated by increased number of leaves (fronds) and increased yield per palm compared to sole crop. Yield and income of five representative samples of arecanut (main crop) and the intercrops from all the seven models were observed. Maximum mean yield of arecanut was observed to be in var. Mohitnagar (1.590kg/plant), while minimum was in var. Mangala (1.348kg/plant). Maximum income and B:C ratio of Rs. 36,919.95 and 3.68:1 respectively were observed in Model-III, while minimum income Rs. 15,637.15 was in Model-I. Minimum B: C ratio of 1.13:1 was observed to be in Model-VI. It can be concluded that, Model – III (Arecanut + Banana + Turmeric) was the best remunerative one and the farmers can adopt this model in this region as areca nut based multi-storey cropping system for more income per unit area.