Optimization of farming systems on tribal farms in Uttarakhand

The linear programming technique was used to examine the potentiality to increase the farm income. Across the farming systems, potential to increase Return Over Variable Cost (ROVC) over existing plan was highest in Farming System (FS)-IV (Livestock) followed by FS-I (Crop+Livestock) and FS-II (Crop). Whereas in the case of FS-III (Crop+Livestock+Orchard), potential to increase the income was only 0.27 percent. Major policy implications emerged from the study were more attention is required towards the improvement of orchard and livestock rearing. Potato cultivation should be encouraged in the study area.