Abstract

Though, increasing production and productivity of rice is essential to feed the growing population, considering its poor cost-benefit ratio and negative impact on the environment, alternatives need to be thought off. Based on this issue, a study was conducted in the Tambiraparani river command area of southern Tamil Nadu. It was found that the economic viability and ecological soundness of diversified farms especially that of paddy + banana + dairy systems were higher than the non-diversified systems. Dairy and banana were found to have contributed significantly for the high level of sustainability of the diversified farms. Considering the need to increase the income of farmers and conserve the environment, banana and dairy would serve as an ideal combination with rice crop to boost the sustainability of the Tambiraparani river basin.

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