Sustainability Analysis of Farming Systems in Dry Tracts: A Case Study of Wanaparthy District of Telangana State, India

Aims: The study evaluates and compares the economic sustainability of prevailing farming systems in the dry tracts of Telangana using the Sustainability Value Index (SVI), with specific reference to Wanaparthy district. Study Design: Cross-sectional farm-level economic analysis. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Wanaparthy district of Telangana state during the agricultural year 2024-25. Methodology: A multistage sampling design was adopted, with Wanaparthy district selected purposively and mandals and villages chosen randomly. Using stratified proportionate random sampling, 150 farmers practicing crop-only and crop + dairy systems were surveyed through personal interviews using a pre-tested schedule. Economic sustainability was assessed using the Sustainability Value Index (SVI), derived from average net income, maximum net income, and income variability. Results: The results indicate clear differences in economic performance and sustainability between the two farming systems. The crop + dairy system recorded higher average and maximum net incomes along with lower income variability, resulting in a higher Sustainability Value Index (SVI = 0.38) compared to the crop-only system (SVI = 0.27). Integration of dairy provided regular income flows and reduced dependence on seasonal crop returns, thereby improving resilience to climatic and market risks prevalent in dryland agriculture. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that crop–dairy integrated farming systems are economically more sustainable than crop-only systems in the dry tracts of Telangana. Higher sustainability under the integrated system is driven by income diversification and improved stability from dairy enterprises. The findings underscore the importance of promoting crop–livestock integration as a risk-mitigation strategy through supportive policies, extension services, and institutional interventions to enhance farm household resilience and long-term sustainability.