bajra vs rice water dryland profit input cost comparison groundwater saving
Which is more profitable per acre with low water, bajra or a short paddy?
RRajbir Yadav9mo ago · 342 views
5 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓9mo ago
Where water is scarce, bajra is usually the smarter choice over paddy because it needs a fraction of the water, has low input cost, tolerates heat and dry spells, and protects the falling groundwater that paddy drains. Paddy can earn more per acre when water is assured and you can sell at MSP, but its heavy irrigation, pumping cost and groundwater damage make it risky and unsustainable in low-water zones, which is exactly why states are encouraging a shift away from paddy in such areas. Bajra also gives fodder and now enjoys better demand and support under the millet mission. The most profitable path in a dry block is often bajra or another millet with value addition, plus a pulse, rather than chasing paddy on borrowed water. Compare your own water cost and expected price before deciding, and check any crop diversification incentive in your state.
SSombir8mo ago
Paddy emptied my borewell and the bill was huge. Bajra with a pulse costs little and the millet rate has improved, so I switched.
MMahendra Singh8mo ago
In Rajasthan bajra is the only sensible crop on my low-water land, and the fodder it gives for my animals is a big extra return that paddy never offered. Counting the fodder value, bajra wins clearly for me.
RRanbir Yadav7mo ago
One caution: do not just compare the grain rate, add your diesel or power and the falling water table cost to paddy. When I worked out the real pumping cost, bajra came out ahead even though paddy's per-quintal price looked higher.
JJagtar Singh7mo ago
In Punjab my block is pushing diversification away from paddy and there was an incentive for shifting some acres to other crops, so I checked it before deciding. The support plus the lower water cost made the switch easier on part of my land.