Crop diversification for enhancing productivity and profitability under modified land configuration of Eastern Himalayas

The mono-cropped rice system in the valley lands of the Eastern Himalayas has low productivity. To address this, a two-year field experiment (2022–2023) was conducted using a modified raised and sunken bed (RSB) system under organic nutrient management. The factorial randomized block design (FRBD) included three replications. In sunken beds, three rice varieties (Megha Aromatic, Shahsarang-1, and IR-64) were grown, followed by notill pea, while in raised beds, three vegetable-based systems (okra-potato, okra-French bean, and okra-carrot) were tested under three organic nutrient sources: 100% farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC), and 50% FYM + 50% VC. Results indicated that Shahsarang-1 rice (4.73 Mg/ha) and the combined FYM + VC treatment (4.49 Mg/ ha) produced the highest grain yield. Peapod yield (5.23 Mg/ha) and vegetable yields were also highest under integrated FYM and VC use. The rice (Shahsarang-1)-pea system (sunken beds) and okra-carrot system (raised beds) achieved maximum system productivity, production efficiency, and sustainability index. These systems also recorded the highest economic returns (gross: 2812 and 5833 USD/ha/year; net: 1957 and 3825 USD/ha/year). Organic manure application improved soil organic carbon and nutrient availability, enhancing soil health. Adopting the RSB system with organic practices can significantly improve productivity, profitability, and soil health, ensuring better livelihoods for farmers and environmental sustainability in the Eastern Himalayas.