Analysis of the Maize‐Legume Cropping System in the Lower Indo‐Gangetic Plains of Eastern India: Energy Efficiency, Carbon Footprint and Farm Profitability

ABSTRACT The development of cropping systems that simultaneously enhanced farm profitability, reduce energy dependence and limit greenhouse gas emissions is central to climate smart agriculture in south Asia. The study evaluated the energy balance, carbon footprint; carbon budgeting and economic performance of no‐till maize legume cropping systems under different residue based mulching practices in the lower Indo‐Gangetic plains of eastern India. A 2‐year field experiment (2017–2019) was conducted at Sriniketan, West Bengal; India, involving three maize based cropping systems (maize‐chickpea, maize‐lentil, and maize‐lathyrus) combined with five biomass mulching treatments. System productivity, energy input–output relationships, carbon efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic returns were quantified using standardized energy and emission coefficients. Among the cropping systems, maize‐chickpea consistently recorded higher system productivity,…