Rice is the most important food crop of Assam, India with various rice-based cropping systems developed in diverse ecosystems of the state, including rice-fallow, rice-rice, rice-rapeseed (Toria), jute-rice, and rice-vegetables. With the increasing demand for food products over the past ten years, the adoption of double and triple cropping has gained attention as strategies to increase the farmers income. Intensifying the usage of existing agricultural land is one of the most important strategies to boost productivity and farm income. Net profit for farmers can be increased through crop diversification and intensification with productive and efficient crops like pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables. Inclusion of pulses, oilseeds, vegetables after cereal in rice based cropping sequence are more profitable than adding cereal after cereal. The study was conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Udalguri in Udalguri district of Assam, India. A three-stage random sampling design was employed to study a total of 120 households for data collection on rice-based cropping systems. Costs involved in rice based cropping system were worked out using different cost concepts. For return analysis, various types of farm income and Benefit cost ratio, Relative Economic Efficiency was worked out to determine the percentage change of net return. A regression model was worked out to determine the adoption pattern. The findings indicate that incorporating pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables after cereal crops in the rice-based cropping sequence is more profitable than adding additional cereal crops. Among the tested cropping sequences in the study area, the Rice-Potato sequence emerged as the most viable option, capable of enhancing farm profitability and food production, particularly in rainfed medium land areas of Udalguri district of Assam, India. These findings provide valuable insights for improving agricultural practices and promoting sustainable farming in Assam.

Keyword: Cropping sequence; Cost and return; Adoption behaviour; Economic efficiency.