Economic Evaluation of Vegetable-Based Farming Systems in Koramangala-Challaghatta Valley Project Area

The study assessed vegetable-based farming systems in the Koramangala-Challaghatta Valley project area of Kolar district, Karnataka, to evaluate their potential for improving net farm income. Four systems were identified: Vegetable + Cereals + Mulberry + Dairy (FS-I), Vegetable + Mulberry + Dairy (FS-II), Vegetable + Cereals + Dairy (FS-III), and Vegetable + Dairy (FS-IV). Using snowball sampling, 70 farmers were surveyed through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Gini coefficient analysis were employed to assess profitability and income inequality among households. FS-I was the most commonly adopted system and, despite the highest costs, generated the highest returns (Rs. 2,15,603), followed by FS-II (Rs. 1,93,158). Systems with more diversified enterprises, like FS-I, showed higher profitability, with a return per rupee of expenditure of 1.41 for FS-I, 1.37 for FS-II, 1.34 for FS-IV, and 1.30 for FS-III. The Gini coefficient analysis revealed the lowest income inequality in FS-I (0.448), while FS-III showed the highest inequality (0.562). The findings suggest that diversified farming systems offer higher profitability and more balanced income distribution.