Smallholding farms: Resource Allocation on Crop Productivity and Soil Fertility

A field survey in participatory mode on farm characteristics such as socio-economic conditions, farm management practices and income were carried out with a total of 240 farmers selected randomly who were further categorised into three Resource groups (RSG1-wealthy, RSG2-medium and RSG3 -poor). Farmers managed several organic and mineral resources to attain their production goals. The net flow of resources was not equal creating areas for carbon and nutrient accumulation with their depletion. Resource flow under all three groups of farmers exhibit a positive N and P balance while K mining of -2.4 kg ha-1 and -0.51 kg ha-1 was chronicled in RSG1 and RSG2, respectively. This emphasizes that nutrient stocks of individual plots within farms and village territories can differ considerably due to resource management. Thus, plots in RSG3 which received substantial amounts of nutrients from animal manure and household waste, maintain relatively high level of productivity. Non-significant variation was observed in labour productivity for all the three groups of farmers. Differences in resource ownership and bio-physical circumstances lead to different opportunities for individual farmers even within the same area. As farming is very closely associated with the environment, it will have greater impact on soil, water, landscape, and biodiversity. Hence, there is a need for region/location specific policy to provide agricultural enterprises specific price, insurance, and income support to insulate the farmers from market fluctuations and conserve the agro-ecological assets, maintain ecological balance through sustainable use of natural resources.