Background: Rainwater harvesting is commonly practiced in areas, where the rainfall is insufficient for crop growing. Due to the intermittent nature of run-off events, it is necessary to store the maximum possible amount of rainwater during the rainy season so that it may be used as irrigation to enhance the crop productivity and farm income under soybean based cropping system.Methods: A study was carried out during 2018-2019 in Indore district of Malwa region. Rainwater harvesting tanks at on station (42´21´2.4m) and on farm (15´11´4m) were constructed for irrigation water availability. Provision of water harvesting tank increased the irrigation water availability (1781m3 and 630m3 respectively) and stored water was managed through various irrigation systems viz. rain gun, drip and flood.Result: It was resulted that the provision of water harvesting tanks enhanced the crop productivity and farm income under soybean based cropping system. Availability of irrigation encouraged the farmers to diversify the cropping pattern (soybean-chickpea, soybean -wheat). It is also clear from the study that even with smaller storage tank and through conjunctive use of ground (1164.2m3) and surface water (596m3), multiple crops (Soybean, potato, sweet corn, chickpea, onion, garlic etc.) can be grown. Soybean-Chickpea cropping system at station gave the net return of 70976 Rs/ha with B: C ratio of 3.15. Soybean-Wheat cropping system at farm gave the net return of 119000 Rs/ha with B:C ratio of 3.38.
System productivity and profitability of sweet corn – chickpea cropping system as influenced by land configuration, plant population and integrated nitrogen management