Intercropping and management of production risks:Evidence from semiarid regions of India

The study has examined the impact of mixed/intercropping systems on the risk profiles of agricultural households. It has used plot-level panel data of agricultural households collected and administered by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid tropics for the period 2010 to 2014. Using Antle’s (1983) framework and CRE (Correlated Random Effect) model, it has found that mixed cropping increases household risk exposure when there are no restrictions placed on crop combinations. However, imposing restrictions on crop combinations can help mitigate these risks. The empirical evidence in the study has highlighted that selecting the right crop combinations can enhance crop yields and reduce the risk exposure of agricultural households. Additionally, the findings support the use of conservation agricultural practices to reduce the exploitation of natural resources while stabilizing crop yields.