Journal of Experimental Agriculture International

Intercropping is an important crop production strategy under rainfed conditions, where farmers face risks associated with climate variability, limited resources and fluctuating market returns. The present study assessed the cost of cultivation and economic returns of major intercropping models in Ananthapuramu district of Andhra Pradesh during the kharif season of the agricultural year 2025-26. Primary data were collected from 120 farmers selected through a multistage random sampling procedure from four mandals and eight villages. The intercropping models examined were “Groundnut + Redgram, Redgram + Foxtail millet, Redgram + Bajra and Cotton + Redgram”. Cost of cultivation was estimated on a per hectare basis using standard farm management cost concepts. Among the selected models, Groundnut + Redgram recorded the highest total cost of cultivation at Rs.1,20,996.59/ha, followed by Cotton + Redgram at Rs.1,05,307.13/ha, Redgram + Bajra at Rs.76,663.24/ha and Redgram + Foxtail millet at Rs.71,746.60/ha. + Redgram generated the highest gross returns of Rs.2,06,097.50/ha and net returns of Rs.85,100.91/ha. Redgram + Foxtail millet generated gross returns of Rs.1,02,375.00/ha and net returns of Rs.30,628.40/ha.  While Cotton + Redgram recorded gross returns of Rs.1,27,562.50/ha and net returns of Rs.22,255.37/ha and Redgram + Bajra recorded gross returns of Rs.96,112.50/ha and net returns of Rs.19,449.25/ha, respectively. The benefit-cost ratio (B-C ratio) was highest in Groundnut + Redgram (1.70), followed by Redgram + Foxtail millet (1.43), Redgram + Bajra (1.25) and Cotton + Redgram (1.21). Based on net returns and B-C ratio, Groundnut + Redgram emerged as the most remunerative intercropping among the models studied. The results suggest that intercropping models with higher market returns and better resource use efficiency may improve farm profitability under rainfed conditions in Ananthapuramu district. The findings offer a comparative assessment of the cost of cultivation, returns and profitability of different intercropping models, thereby enhancing the understanding of economically viable crop combinations in drought-prone regions. The study is expected to serve as a useful reference for researchers, policymakers and extension personnel in designing strategies to promote sustainable and profitable intercropping models under rainfed agriculture. Furthermore, the results may assist farmers in selecting economically efficient intercropping models suited to resource-constrained environments.