Increasing Cropping Intensity, Productivity and Profitability Through Improved Cropping Pattern Against Farmers’ Existing Cropping Pattern at Madhupur, Tangail

An on-farm trial was conducted at the farmers’ field of Madhupur under On-Farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Tangail during 2021-22 and 2022-23 to develop improved cropping pattern mustard (var. BARI Sarisha-18)-T. Aus (var. BRRI dhan48)-T. Aman (var. BRRI dhan87) and to compare its productivity and profitability against farmers existing cropping pattern Fallow-Boro (var. BRRI dhan29)-T. Aman (var. BRRI dhan49) by inclusion of mustard (var. BARI Sarisha-18)-T. Aus (var. BRRI dhan48) and T. Aman (var. BRRI dhan87) with improved management practices. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with six dispersed replications. Two cropping patterns viz., improved cropping pattern (Mustard-T. Aus-T. Aman) and farmers’ existing cropping pattern (Fallow-Boro-T. Aman) were the treatment variables of the experiment. The unit plot size was 1000-1200 m2. The result of the study showed that three crops could be grown successfully in sequence in the tested site. Mean rice equivalent yield of improved cropping pattern was 16.95 t ha−1 which was 54 % higher over existing cropping pattern (11.01 t ha−1). Besides, land utilization index, harvest index and profitability of improved cropping pattern was higher than farmers’ existing cropping pattern. The mean gross return (Tk. 523830 ha−1) and gross margin (Tk. 334281 ha−1) were higher in improved cropping pattern compared to farmers’ existing cropping pattern with only 21% extra cost. The marginal benefit cost ratio (4.44) was also indicated by the superiority of the improved cropping pattern over the farmers’ existing cropping pattern. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2024, 26(2): 49-55