Economic-environmental trade-offs in cotton-based cropping systems: Evidence from Telangana, India

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a major commercial crop in India, contributing significantly to farm incomes, rural employment, and export earnings. However, its cultivation is input-intensive, high-cost, and associated with considerable environmental impacts, particularly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study evaluates the economic performance and environmental sustainability of two dominant cotton-based cropping systems Cotton-Groundnut (CGL-2) and Cotton-Maize (CML-1) in Nagarkurnool district, Telangana, using farm-level data from the 2022-23 agricultural year. Costs and returns were estimated through standard farm management accounting procedures, while crop-specific GHG emissions and water footprints were quantified using the Cool Farm Tool. A multi-objective Pareto optimization framework was employed to identify cropping system combinations that maximize net returns while minimizing emissions. Results indicate that the Cotton-Groundnut system generates higher net returns (?1,16,889/ha) but also higher GHG emissions (7,043 kg CO?e/ha), whereas the Cotton-Maize system exhibits lower emissions (5,820 kg CO?e/ha) with reduced profitability (?97,109/ha). Pareto-optimal solutions reveal intermediate cropping combinations, such as 61% Cotton-Groundnut and 39% Cotton-Maize, which achieve substantial emission reductions (6,562 kg CO?e/ha) while maintaining most of the economic gains (?1,09,116/ha). These findings underscore the trade-offs between profitability and environmental sustainability in cotton-based systems and highlight the potential of diversified cropping strategies for climate-smart agriculture. Policy measures promoting mixed cotton-based systems, efficient input use, and targeted extension services can help reconcile economic and environmental objectives, contributing to sustainable cotton cultivation in semi-arid regions of India.