DefinePK

Abstract

A study was conducted at the Technology Transfer Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Central Punjab, Pakistan, during 2003, to check the relative profitability of crops raised in saline sodic soils. For this purpose a farm level survey was conducted in Jhang district, the representative area of saline sodic soils of the central Punjab. Approximately 34% of total operational land holdings is found saline. Moderate saline area is approximately 43%, which is a major cause of salty underground water. Benefit cost ratios and net benefit per rupee invested show that kharif fodder and rice give more returns during kharif season while rabi fodder and wheat are more profitable crop enterprises during rabi season. Farmers are required to grow the crops, which offer more returns among the various crops being raised in the area. It is suggested that analysing the underground water, using the proper amount of gypsum, and employing cultural practices like deep ploughing and inclusion of green manure crops in the normal rotation may help mitigate the salinity problem in the area.