Agriculture in arid regionsArid regions faces challenges like water scarcityWater scarcity, poor soil fertilitySoil fertility, and climate variabilityClimate variability, yet it sustains 70% of India’s rural households, predominantly small and marginal farmers. The manuscript explores non-monetary inputs—cost-effective, knowledge-based practices—as sustainable solutions for crop production in arid western RajasthanWestern Rajasthan. These inputs, including timely tillage, optimal sowing timing, depth, and direction, crop geometry, water managementWater management at moisture-sensitive stages, weed and pest control, crop rotation, intercropping, and varietal selection, enhance yield without additional financial costs. For instance, timely sowing aligns crops like pearl milletPearl millet and sesame with monsoon rains, while precise irrigation during critical growth stages mitigates water stress. Crop rotation, such as pearl milletPearl millet with legumes, improves soil healthSoil health and reduces pest buildup, with a 23.6% yield increase in pearl milletPearl millet-cluster bean systems. Intercropping optimizes resource use, suppresses weeds, and enhances soil fertilitySoil fertility, while early-maturing, droughtDrought-resistant varieties improve resilience. Strategic fertilizer placement and pesticide rotation further boost efficiency, minimizing environmental impacts. These practices reduce reliance on costly inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, which contribute to soil degradationSoil degradation and greenhouse gas emissions. By leveraging farmers’ knowledge, non-monetary inputs foster eco-friendly, climate-smart agriculture, ensuring long-term productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainabilitySustainability for arid agro-ecosystems, supporting the livelihoodsLivelihoods of resource-constrained farmers.