Economics of Cotton-based Farming Systems in Maharashtra Singh S.P., Gangwar B. Project Directorate for Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut-250 110, Uttar Pradesh Online published on 9 October, 2012. Abstract Cotton-based farming system is one of the major farming systems in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra. The cropping pattern is dominated by cotton, cereals, oilseeds and pulses. Expenditure on labour, seed, farm machinery, fertilizers and manures and irrigation constituted about 40 per cent of the gross crop income. Livestock business has not been found profitable in these regions and there is a need of launching intensive livestock improvement programmes in the area. The low per capita/day expenditure indicated that farmers in these regions were not getting balanced food and proper healthcare and educational facilities. Nonfood commodities constituted more than 50 per cent in family expenditure. The paper has revealed that farm size, education and experience, human labour employment, fertilizers and chemicals have significant and positive contributions towards gross farm income. Their income can be increased by expansion of farm activities, viz. improved dairy farming, goatery, poultry, bee-keeping, etc. besides providing low cost technology and proper prices for farm produce. Top Keywords Farming systems, cotton-based farming, economics, Maharashtra. Top |