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Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, Vol.6 No.

3 (December 2023)
ISSN: 2581-6853 | CODEN: GJNRA9 | Published by The Grassroots Institute
Website: https://grassrootsjournals.org/gjnr | Main Indexing: Web of Science

ISSN 2581-6853 | 6(2) Dec 2023 M – 00363 | Research Article

Crop Intensification through Short Duration Stress-


Tolerant Rice Varieties with Green Gram for Fostering
Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability

Sk Mosharaf Hossain1*, Hrudananda Atibudhi2


1
Department of Agricultural Economics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences,
Siksha O Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, India.
Email: [email protected] | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1164-4229
2
Department of Agricultural Economics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences,
Siksha O Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, India.
Email: [email protected] | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3153-2320
*Corresponding Author

How to cite this paper: Hossain, S.M. and Abstract


Atibudhi, H. (2023). Crop Intensification Rice stands as a critical cornerstone in the pursuit of food security due to
through Short Duration Stress-Tolerant Rice its unparalleled significance as a staple crop for billions of people
Varieties with Green Gram for Fostering
worldwide. Rice in India, is cultivated within diverse cropping systems
Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability.
Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 6(3): that harness the nation's rich agro-climatic variations. Eastern India has
32-45. Doi: emerged as a significant contributor to the country's overall rice
https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.060303 production. Nevertheless, most of the existing cropping systems of rice in
this region suffer from some drawbacks, primarily due to monoculture
Received: 18 August 2023 practices and limited crop diversity. An experiment was conducted in the
Reviewed: 11 October 2023 Eastern Indian State of Odisha to evaluate the efficiency and profitability
Provisionally Accepted: 20 October 2023 of promoting a rice-green gram-rice cropping system. The experiment
Revised: 05 November 2023 consists of two major interrelated interventions viz., awareness regarding
Finally Accepted: 15 November 2023
short-duration stress-tolerant rice varieties (STRV) and the introduction of
Published: 31 December 2023
Copyright © 2023 by author(s) the new crop for higher economic returns. Varietal awareness programs
were organized before the onset of the wet season of 2020 and the
Publisher’s Note: We stay neutral with potential benefits of cultivating STRV over the popular traditional
regard to jurisdictional claims in published cultivars were communicated to the target farmers, besides advocating the
maps, permissions taken by authors and rice-green gram-rice cropping system. The study employed a field
institutional affiliations. experiment design to compare the performance of existing and new
cropping systems. The impact evaluation was carried out after recording
This work is licensed under the Creative the comments of the farmers followed by a thorough comparison between
Commons Attribution International
the new and existing cropping systems. The available evidence suggests
License (CC BY 4.0).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ that the introduced short-duration STRVs are better than the already
existing varieties and have the potential to change the cropping system of
the region. The most desirable trait of these varieties as reported by the
farmers is their short maturity duration. The results do unequivocally
Editor-in-Chief demonstrate the superior performance of the new cropping system over
Prof. Dr. G. Poyyamoli the existing system in terms of crop yield, diversification, and
Executive Editor profitability. This remarkably underscores the potential of the new system
Dr. Hasrat Arjjumend to address food security challenges and enhance agricultural productivity.
Associate Editors
Dr. Usongo Patience
Dr. Maja Manojlovic Keywords
Ms. Areej Sabir STRV; Green gram; Cropping system; Eastern India; High profitability
Editing of this article is done by Dr. Arjjumend
Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, Vol.6, No.3 (December 2023), p.32-44 | ISSN 2581-6853 | CODEN GJNRA9
Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.060303 Open Access

Introduction

In the present era of climate change, the issue of food security has emerged as a
paramount concern for governments, organizations, and individuals alike. With a
global population projected to exceed 10 billion by 2050, ensuring a stable and
adequate food supply has become critical (Kumar et al., 2022). Rice stands as a
critical cornerstone in the pursuit of food security due to its unparalleled significance
as a staple crop for billions of people worldwide. Rice, often referred to as the "staple
of staples", plays a central role in the diets of a significant portion of the global
population, particularly in Asia and Africa (Dar et al., 2017). In India, rice occupies a
position of paramount importance, where it transcends its role as a staple food to
become an intrinsic part of the nation's agricultural, cultural, and nutritional fabric.
Rice in India is cultivated within diverse cropping systems that harness the nation's
rich agro-climatic variations. The predominant cropping systems involving the rice-
wheat rotation in the Indo-Gangetic Plains to the rice-pulses sequence enrich soil and
diets (Bhatt et al., 2021). The diversification emerges through systems like rice-
oilseed, rice-sugarcane, and rice-horticulture, which bolster yields and rural
economies. These systems underscore India's agricultural resilience and adaptability,
addressing food security and sustainability in the face of changing climate and
consumption patterns (Upadhaya et al., 2022).

Eastern Indian states such as West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand are
significant contributors to India's overall rice production. In these states, the practice
of rotating rice with other crops stands as a cornerstone of sustainable agricultural
strategies. This region's agricultural landscape is enriched by the harmonious
alternation of rice cultivation with diverse crops such as pulses, maize, oilseeds, and
vegetables (Alam et al., 2021). This rotational approach not only optimizes land
utilization but also rejuvenates soil fertility, curbs pest/ disease pressures, and
enhances overall farm productivity. The rotation of rice with pulses, for instance,
exploits nitrogen fixation, enriching the soil for subsequent rice crops while providing
protein-rich pulses for diets (Chamkhi et al., 2022). Similarly, the rice-maize rotation
diversifies cereal production, contributing to the food security (Upadhaya et al., 2022).
This dynamic interplay between crops attests to the ingenuity in ensuring a resilient
and resource-efficient agricultural system, embodying the essence of sustainable and
diversified farming.

Nevertheless, most of the existing crop rotations of rice in Eastern India suffer from
some drawbacks, primarily due to monoculture practices, e.g., low varietal options of
fitting duration, poor knowledge about varieties and seeds, and limited crop diversity.
Continuous cultivation of rice and related crops depletes soil nutrients, leading to
degradation and reduced fertility (John and Babu, 2021). This, coupled with the
absence of diverse crops, exacerbates pests and disease pressures, necessitating higher
pesticide use. The lack of rotation with nutrient-fixing crops disrupts the soil's nutrient
balance, hindering optimal plant growth (Selim, 2020). Additionally, the reliance on a
single crop undermines biodiversity, threatens farmers' income stability, and leaves
the agricultural ecosystem less resilient to climate change impacts (Gomiero, 2016).
The pressing need is to transition the more diversified and intensified cropping
systems to ensure long-term agricultural viability and overall agricultural
sustainability. By implementing innovative rotations, farmers can bolster their income

Sk Mosharaf Hossain, Hrudananda Atibudhi 33


Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, Vol.6, No.3 (December 2023), p.32-44 | ISSN 2581-6853 | CODEN GJNRA9
Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.060303 Open Access

streams, foster biodiversity, and create a more adaptable and robust agricultural
system, capable of meeting future challenges, and ensuring sustainable food
production for oncoming generations (Dar et al., 2021).

Among the various crop rotation systems, the integration of rice (Oryza sativa) and
green gram (Arachis hypogaea) has garnered substantial attention due to its
synergistic benefits and potential to address multiple agricultural challenges (He et al.,
2021). The current cropping pattern is mostly rice-rice. The experiment introduced a
new crop — green gram. In this context, an evaluative experiment was conducted in
the Eastern Indian state of Odisha to understand the efficiency and profitability of
promoting a rice - green gram - rice cropping system. The combination of these two
staple crops offers a unique opportunity to optimize soil nutrient dynamics,
pest/disease management, water use efficiency, and economic viability (Dhanda et al.,
2022). Besides, the benefits of introducing the short-duration stress-tolerant rice
varieties (STRV) in the cropping system were also investigated. The yields obtained
from the newly introduced rice - green gram - rice system were studied in comparison
to the existing cropping systems. The impacts of the new cropping system in terms of
yields and income for farmers were also duly appraised. Embracing the new types of
cropping systems holds the promise of revitalizing the agricultural landscape,
promoting ecological balance, and securing a prosperous and sustainable future for
both farmers and the region as a whole (Bhatt et al., 2021).

Materials and Methods

Study Design and Site Selection

This research employed a field experiment design to compare the performance of


existing and new cropping systems. The study was carried out in 2020-21 and 2021-22
among the 120 randomly selected farmers from 5 villages belonging to two
development blocks, one each from Mayurbhanj and Bolangir districts. Shyamakuntha
block from Mayurbhanj and Loisinga block from Bolangir district were selected for
this experiment where mostly rice as a solo crop is cultivated. The cultivation of the
non-paddy second crop is constrained by the unavailability of suitable non-paddy
crops and little scope to utilize residual soil moisture after growing a long-duration
rice variety. The selected farmers usually cultivated rice during the wet season,
followed by maize during the dry season.

The study area encompassed diverse agroecological zones to ensure comprehensive


representation. Site selection was based on a combination of factors, including soil
type, climatic conditions, and historical crop rotation practices. One bigha (1333
square meter) area of land was selected from each of the farmers, selecting a total of
20 bighas as the experimental plot for intervention. Before the onset of wet season in
2020, the farmers were informed and supported for the adoption of a rice - green gram
- rice cropping system and likewise, only those farmers who adopted this cropping
system were selected for the present study. The introduction of short-duration and
high-yielding rice (Binadhan 11) and green gram (Virat) variety was a key factor in
convincing farmers to a third crop in between the wet and dry seasons. Currently,
farmers were growing long-duration rice varieties in the wet season and, thus, a little
time window was left for taking another crop before the dry season. Both male and

Sk Mosharaf Hossain, Hrudananda Atibudhi 34


Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, Vol.6, No.3 (December 2023), p.32-44 | ISSN 2581-6853 | CODEN GJNRA9
Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.060303 Open Access

female farmers were randomly selected, and the benefits of cultivating short-duration
STRV were discussed. The immediate outcomes of this initiative were measured
through the following three positive changes.
1. Adoption of short-duration rice varieties and a second crop (green gram)
2. Economic benefits of the crop intensification
3. Crop diversification

Data Collection and Variables

Comprehensive data was collected to evaluate various aspects of the pre- and post-
intervention cropping system. The farmers were interviewed after the harvesting of
summer rice in 2021. The farmers were asked about the STRV (Binadhan 11) being
cultivated during wet season of 2020. Besides, the information regarding the date of
sowing, date of harvesting, the yield obtained, produce sold, produce kept for home
consumption, the price fetched for the sold produce, cost of production, and labour
involved for the cultivation of second/boro crop (green gram) during 2021-22 was also
obtained. Similarly, the farmers were asked about the second/boro crop they cultivated
during the last year (2020-21). The comparison was made for the date of sowing, the
yield obtained, the cost of production, income generated.

The comparison of two seasons for two different cropping patterns is indicative of the
program's impact. The comparison included varieties grown, date of sowing, date of
harvesting, the yield obtained, produce sold, produce stocked for selling, and the price
fetched for selling the produce. The farmers also responded that the fitment of the new
cropping system was better and economically viable than the existing ones. The
information related to sharing of knowledge regarding the new cropping system
amongst the other farmers has also been evaluated. The respondents also expressed
their views about the short-duration STRV has the potential to change the cropping
systems of the region. Moreover, information on whether the farmers have saved the
seeds of new STRVs from wet 2020 for sowing in the next wet season was also
obtained. Besides, the intention of the farmers to cultivate the STRV in subsequent
seasons also recorded.

Results and Discussion

In the pursuit of a sustainable and resilient agricultural future, the introduction of


innovative cropping systems emerges as a pivotal strategy (Shah et al., 2021). The
challenges posed by population growth, climate change, and diminishing natural
resources necessitate a departure from traditional cropping systems and varieties
(Majid et al., 2016; Dar et al., 2018; Morel et al., 2020). Therefore, comparison
between different cropping systems is vital to ensure evidence-based decisions,
enabling us to identify superior practices that enhance productivity, sustainability, and
resource management in agriculture (Zaidi et al., 2018; Jehangir et al., 2022). The
targeted results against the evinced outcomes are discussed below.

The Ecology Suitable Landraces in the Region

Odisha is home to several traditional rice varieties. These varieties are known for their
special characteristics and are grown by farmers despite the availability and promotion

Sk Mosharaf Hossain, Hrudananda Atibudhi 35


Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, Vol.6, No.3 (December 2023), p.32-44 | ISSN 2581-6853 | CODEN GJNRA9
Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.060303 Open Access

of modern varieties. In several of those varieties, special market-demanded traits like


aroma, short-grain dimension, and suitability for special delicacies are found. In some
of those varieties, climate resilience can be observed to a considerable extent. The
older varieties like Lalat, Swarna etc are also known for having a low Glycemic Index
(GI), suitable for people with elevated sugar levels. However, in the absence of a
proper extension mechanism, weak seed system, and poor market facilities, farmers
are increasingly cultivating modern varieties. Department of Agriculture, Govt of
Odisha has collected and conserved ex-situ about 750 germplasm belonging to
different districts of Odisha. Kalachampa, a photosensitive tall variety suitable for the
coastal ecology, was one of the landraces purified and released by the Directorate of
Agriculture and notified by the Govt of India for cultivation by farmers based on its
performance. It is the only traditional variety currently in the seed chain. Three
aromatic varieties released in the state (Nua Kalajeera, Nua Chinikamini, and Nua
Dhusra) can be promoted appropriately through assured access to the markets. The
traditional varieties being grown are tabulated below (Table 1).

Table 1: Major traditional varieties in Odisha


Major traditional Major growing districts Maturity Duration (Days)
Varieties/Landraces
Kalashree Jajpur, Khurda 145
Kalabati Jagatsinghpur, Kalahandi 150
Kala Tulasi Nayagarh 145
Kalajeera Khurda, Bolangir, 150
Kalahandi
Kalamanik Puri 150
Pipiribasa Mayurbhanj 140
Jabaphool Bolangir, Kalahandi 140
Dubraj Bolangir, Kalahandi, 135
Nuapada

Adoption of Short-Duration Rice Varieties

The predominant rice variety before the intervention was Swarna (MTU 7029). This is
a long-duration (140 days) genotype, generally sown in the second fortnight of July
and harvested towards the end of November. Since the maturity of this variety takes a
longer period, farmers are not left with any feasible options to grow a second crop
(non-paddy) of a fitting duration. However, the introduction of Binadhan 11 (a shorter
duration, high-yielding variety) received legitimate varietal substitution. Binadhan 11
is also a stress-tolerant variety (STRV) variety. It possesses sub-1 gene that makes it
tolerate submergence upto 14 days. Thus, this variety brings in benefits in the areas
recurrently impacted by floods. The experimental location has a considerable area,
suffering the setback of flash floods during monsoon months periodically, especially
in low-lying areas adjacent to the water stream. Binadhan 11 matures in 120 days,
while Swarna the dominant variety in the region takes 140 days to become harvest-
ready (Figure 2). The advantage of the 20-day early maturity with Binadhan 11 is a
substantial factor for taking a second crop. However, this trait will be visible to the
growers only when the field is inundated caused by flood or submergence. Before the
intervention, farmers in the area did not know this variety. Within a year, 81% of

Sk Mosharaf Hossain, Hrudananda Atibudhi 36


Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, Vol.6, No.3 (December 2023), p.32-44 | ISSN 2581-6853 | CODEN GJNRA9
Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.060303 Open Access

farmers who received the seeds (in mini kit) adopted the variety the following year,
indicating a high acceptance and adoption of this variety. Yield-wise, this new variety
(Binadhan 11) proved to be superior as it offered 0.3 tons/ha more yield compared to
the popular variety Swarna. The yield gain of the new variety (Binadhan 11) is
graphed below.

Average yield (tons/ha)


7
5.9
6 5.6

5
Avg yield (t/ha)

0
Binadhan 11 Swarna
Figure 1: Average yield of new and predominant varieties

Maturity duration (Days)

Swarna 140

Binadhan 11 120

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160


Figure 2: Maturity duration of the demonstrated variety vis-a-vis the dominant variety.

Adoption Drivers

It has been observed that, in the 2021 wet season, 81% of participating farmers who
used to grow Swarna have adopted the Binadhan 11. The major variety-substitution
drivers as found from the study were: 1. Yield gain, 2. Shorter duration, and 3. Special
trait of submergence tolerance of Binadhan 11.

Sk Mosharaf Hossain, Hrudananda Atibudhi 37


Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, Vol.6, No.3 (December 2023), p.32-44 | ISSN 2581-6853 | CODEN GJNRA9
Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.060303 Open Access

Unlike Swarna, the new variety (Binadhan 11), because of its shorter duration, enables
farmers to harvest the crop at least 20 days earlier. This early maturity leaves the soils
with considerable residual moisture for a second crop like green gram. This benefit is
more pronounced as the study area does not have an assured irrigation source in the dry
season. The additional but critical trait present in Binadhan 11 is the flood-tolerance
ability without any yield penalty. It can sustain the water submergence for up to 14 days
— a huge benefit for farmers in flood-prone areas. Out of 120 farmers who evaluated
the variety in their field, 97 of them have grown it in the next crop years (2021-22),
translating to an impressive adoption rate of 81%. Among those who have adopted
Binadhan 11 cited advantages of the variety. Whereas 84% of farmers believed that
yield gain was the first reason that influenced them to adopt, 72% also think the shorter
duration of the variety acted as the second most important (Figure 3). Submergence
tolerance trait has been rated as the third most important character of the variety for
adoption..

% of farmers for trait preference


90% Yield gain, 84%
Shorter
80% duration, 72%
70%
60%
Submergence
50% tolerance , 44%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Figure 3: Adoption drivers of Binadhan 11

Table 2: Adoption drivers of Binadhan 11


Key Traits of Biandhan 11 No of the farmers No of the farmers
responded “Yes” responded “No”
Yield gain 101 19
Shorter Duration 86 34
Submergence tolerance 52 68

Second Crop (Green Gram)

Of those, who had cultivated Binadhan 11, got a time window towards the end of
October to grow a second suitable crop — green gram. It has been observed that 64%
of the Binadhan 11 adopters (62) have taken the green gram. While growing the
Swarna rice variety, none of these farmers had the time opportunity for taking this
second crop. Thus, it is a significant way forward to promote such shorter-duration

Sk Mosharaf Hossain, Hrudananda Atibudhi 38


Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, Vol.6, No.3 (December 2023), p.32-44 | ISSN 2581-6853 | CODEN GJNRA9
Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.060303 Open Access

varieties for crop diversification which is high on the agriculture agenda of state
governments in India.

Economic Benefits of the Crop Intensification

The results of the study unequivocally demonstrate the superior performance of the new
cropping system over the existing system in terms of crop yield and profitability (Table
2). The economic gains resulting from the introduction of the new cropping system are
meaningful. The increased productivity drives higher yields and subsequently larger
harvests. Farmers, on average earned INR 46742 (USD 572) from one ha of land with
the conventional cropping pattern (Rice-Rice). However, the adoption of the
demonstrated new cropping pattern (Rice-Green Gram-Rice) enabled farmers to receive
per hectare net earnings of INR 64511 (USD 777) (Figure 4). This extra income is
earned from higher rice yield and the new crop (green gram). Per hectare monetary gain
of INR 17,769 (equivalent to USD 213) from the demonstrated new cropping pattern
can help farmers maximize their profits. This encourages long-term investment and
planning, further enhancing economic resilience. The growth of agribusinesses and
ancillary industries, driven by the increased demand for processing, packaging, and
distribution, generates additional employment and entrepreneurial avenues, magnifying
the economic impact. Therefore, the introduction of the new cropping system (rice-
pulse) not only enhances agricultural productivity but also stimulates economic growth,
fosters rural development, and contributes to a more robust and sustainable economy. In
this context, embracing new cropping systems is not merely a choice, but an imperative.
It is a conscientious investment in the well-being of present and future generations, a
commitment to nourishing the planet while safeguarding its ecosystems (Meng et al.,
2017). The importance of this transition cannot be overstated — it is a transformative
journey that aligns agriculture with the imperatives of sustainability, resilience, and
prosperity.

Increase in net earnings with new cropping pattern (INR per ha)

2021-22 (Rice-Green gram-


64511
Rice)

2020-21 (Rice-Rice) 46742

Figure 4: Increase in net earnings with new cropping pattern (per ha)

The experimented and adopted cropping pattern is rice - green gram - rice. The
additional crop included in the pattern is green gram. This was possible majorly due to
the shorter maturity rice crop in the wet season as it creates a reasonable time window
for green gram. The measurable benefits are earnings from one additional crop and
yield advantages from new variety (Binadhan 11).

Sk Mosharaf Hossain, Hrudananda Atibudhi 39


Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, Vol.6, No.3 (December 2023), p.32-44 | ISSN 2581-6853 | CODEN GJNRA9
Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.060303 Open Access

Crop Diversification

The experiment has also produced a desired effect on crop diversification. The
incorporation of short-duration stress-tolerant rice varieties into crop rotation offers a
range of benefits, including enhanced land utilization efficiency, reduced vulnerability
to adverse climatic conditions, improved soil health through diversified root
structures, optimized nutrient and water use efficiency, and economic diversification.
The cropping intensification as measured by cropping intensity [(Gross Cropped
Area/Net Cropped Area)*100] showed a significant improvement. The total net
cropped area of the sampled farmers was 105.8 acres and the gross cropped area as
estimated in 2021-22 is 174.57 acres. It explains that 68.77 acres which were
otherwise to be fallow is being used for green gram cultivation. The cropping
intensity, because of this experiment, has gone up from merely 100 to 165. This is the
direct contribution of the experiment that introduced the short-duration rice variety
followed by a fitting crop like green gram. The cultivation of green gram will also act
as an atmospheric nitrogen fixer for subsequent crops, thus, environmentally it is good
to increase crop diversification through pulse crops. Thus, the overall system
productivity is supposed to rise with the continuation of this cropping pattern. It
should also be noted that, because of a diversified cropping system with the
introduction of green gram, farm production is relatively more stabilized. The positive
impact on dietary patterns is also a significant impact as 47% of farmers have
explicitly said that the daily intake of protein-based pulse (green gram) is enhanced by
25% because of increased availability.

Table 3: Key factors for crop diversification


# Factor No of respondents %age
1 Shorter duration of rice 94 78
2 Shorter duration of green gram 98 81
3 Timely seed availability 106 88
4 Market opportunities 113 94

This study also attempted to identify the major factors that enabled farmers to adopt
the diversified and intensified cropping pattern. As found, farmers are often
challenged by knowledge gaps, poor irrigation facilities, and crop seeds to diversify
the cropping pattern. Notably, 78% of farmers thought the shorter duration of
Binadhan 11 was critical to plan and grow a second crop — green gram. Among those
who adopted this diversified cropping pattern, 81% were of the view that the duration
of green gram (65 days) also played a significant role in designing the rice-green
gram-rice cropping pattern. The second crop duration of more than 70 days would not
fit into the system, as the irrigation facilities are limited. The shorter duration green
gram could be grown with residual moisture left in the preceding rice crop. When it
comes to seeds, 88% of farmers believe the timely availability of seeds was crucial for
adopting this cropping pattern. The lack of access to seeds on time deters farmers from
fully utilizing this residual moisture and in the absence of secured irrigation, farmers
do not take up the second crop after rice harvest in the wet season.

One of the other challenges, for crop diversification with the promotion of green gram is
market constraints. The study revealed that 84% of farmers who adopted green gram

Sk Mosharaf Hossain, Hrudananda Atibudhi 40


Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, Vol.6, No.3 (December 2023), p.32-44 | ISSN 2581-6853 | CODEN GJNRA9
Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.060303 Open Access

between two rice crops have a marketable surplus. However, 94% of those farmers
believe the marketing scope is limited and they received lesser than expected prices.

Conclusions

The present study underscores the significant potential and multifaceted advantages of
adjustment in the cropping pattern through the introduction of shorter-duration rice
varieties and succeeding green gram cultivation. The findings presented the possibility
of boosting agricultural productivity through crop diversification leading to resource
efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. The adoption and practice of multi-cropping
by exploiting available resources is a significant step towards intercropping capitalizes
on the complementary traits of each crop, optimizing land utilization throughout the
cropping season, mitigating the risks associated with climatic uncertainties, and
promoting soil health through diversified root structures and nutrient utilization
patterns. Furthermore, the economic diversification facilitated by this approach offers
farmers increased income streams and a more stable livelihood. By advocating for the
integration of short-duration stress-tolerant rice varieties into green gram-based
cropping systems, this study advocates for a transformative shift towards agricultural
practices that address food security, resource scarcity, and climate adaptation. As we
navigate the complexities of modern agriculture, embracing such innovative
intercropping strategies emerges as a sustainable pathway toward a more resilient and
prosperous future for farmers and ecosystems alike.

There exists an opportunity to improve the productivity of the cropping pattern with
the adoption of suitable traditional varieties/landraces. However, key determinants
here are seed availability, productivity, and seed access by the farmers. The district
and block-level agriculture officials believe that market development of these
traditional is vital to promote the varieties for the economic benefit of the farmers.
Furthermore, most of these landraces are of longer duration (>130 days), therefore the
careful selection of the landraces is important if a new crop needs to be introduced
between two seasons of rice. A high-yielding, shorter duration (within 120 days) and
market-preferred grain-type rice variety (or landrace) will be a fitting option in such
cases where the rice system productivity improvement is the major goal.

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Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, Vol.6, No.3 (December 2023), p.32-44 | ISSN 2581-6853 | CODEN GJNRA9
Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.060303 Open Access

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Sk Mosharaf Hossain, Hrudananda Atibudhi 43


Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, Vol.6, No.3 (December 2023), p.32-44 | ISSN 2581-6853 | CODEN GJNRA9
Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.060303 Open Access

Authors’ Declarations and Essential Ethical Compliances

Authors’ Contributions (in accordance with ICMJE criteria for authorship)


Contribution Author 1 Author 2
Conceived and designed the research or analysis Yes Yes
Collected the data Yes Yes
Contributed to data analysis & interpretation Yes Yes
Wrote the article/paper Yes Yes
Critical revision of the article/paper No Yes
Editing of the article/paper Yes No
Supervision No Yes
Project Administration Yes No
Funding Acquisition No No
Overall Contribution Proportion (%) 30 25

Funding
No funding was available for the research conducted for and writing of this paper.

Research involving human bodies or organs or tissues (Helsinki Declaration)


The author(s) solemnly declare(s) that this research has not involved any human
subject (body or organs) for experimentation. It was not a clinical research. The
contexts of human population/participation were only indirectly covered through
literature review. Therefore, an Ethical Clearance (from a Committee or Authority) or
ethical obligation of Helsinki Declaration does not apply in cases of this study or
written work.

Research involving animals (ARRIVE Checklist)


The author(s) solemnly declare(s) that this research has not involved any animal
subject (body or organs) for experimentation. The research was not based on
laboratory experiment involving any kind animal. The contexts of animals were only
indirectly covered through literature review. Therefore, an Ethical Clearance (from a
Committee or Authority) or ethical obligation of ARRIVE does not apply in cases of
this study or written work.

Research on Indigenous Peoples and/or Traditional Knowledge


The author(s) solemnly declare(s) that this research has not involved any Indigenous
Peoples as participants or respondents. The contexts of Indigenous Peoples or
Indigenous Knowledge were only indirectly covered through literature review.
Therefore, an Ethical Clearance (from a Committee or Authority) or prior informed
consent (PIC) of the respondents or Self-Declaration in this regard does not apply in
cases of this study or written work.

Research involving Plants


The author(s) solemnly declare(s) that this research has involved the plants for
experiment and field studies. Some contexts of plants are also indirectly covered
through literature review. Thus, during this research the author(s) obeyed the
principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on the Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Sk Mosharaf Hossain, Hrudananda Atibudhi 44


Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, Vol.6, No.3 (December 2023), p.32-44 | ISSN 2581-6853 | CODEN GJNRA9
Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.060303 Open Access

Research Involving Local Community Participants (Non-Indigenous) or Children


The author(s) solemnly declare(s) that this research has not directly involved any local
community participants or respondents belonging to non-Indigenous peoples. Neither
this study involved any child in any form directly. The contexts of different humans,
people, populations, men/women/children and ethnic people were only indirectly
covered through literature review. Therefore, an Ethical Clearance (from a Committee
or Authority) or prior informed consent (PIC) of the respondents or Self-Declaration
in this regard does not apply in cases of this study or written work.

(Optional) PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-
Analyses)
The author(s) has/have NOT complied with PRISMA standards. It is not relevant in
case of this study or written work.

Competing Interests/Conflict of Interest


Author(s) has/have no competing financial, professional, or personal interests from
other parties or in publishing this manuscript. There is no conflict of interest with the
publisher or the editorial team or the reviewers.

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institutions they represent. The publisher is also not responsible either for such
opinions and mistakes in the text or graphs or images.

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To see original copy of these declarations signed by Corresponding/First Author (on
behalf of other co-authors too), please download associated zip folder [Declarations]
from the published Abstract page accessible through and linked with the DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.060303.

Sk Mosharaf Hossain, Hrudananda Atibudhi 45

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