Comparative evaluation of different integrated farming system models for small and marginal farmers under the Eastern Himalayas

Abstract

Integrated farming system (IFS) ensures efficient utilization of available farm resources, increases unit productivity and income that are pre-requisite for sustainable livelihood of small and marginal farmers. The present study was conducted to evaluate the performance of four IFS model developed in ~ 1.0 acre area, at ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Nagaland Centre, Jharnapani, Medziphema, Nagaland. The major components in IFS models were agriculture, horticulture, livestock and subsidiary components like fishery, vermicompost, mushroom and azolla. The field crops, vegetables and livestock components were included in IFS model considering topography of land, soil texture and preference for the tribal livelihood. The performance in terms of component wise productivity, profitability, employment generation and sustainability value index (SVI) were evaluated in consecutive three years (2012–2015). The combinations of subsidiary components in agriculture + horticulture + poultry + fishery in IFS model (model–4) gave the highest net returns (Rupees 32040) followed by the model with agriculture + horticulture + fishery + piggery + vermicompost (model 3) with net profits of Rupees 21230. In field crops component, cropping sequence of ricetoria- mungbean system was found to be the best in terms of productivity among the tested IFS models except in model 1. In terms of employment generation, IFS model-4 has shown maximum man-days engagement (395 days), followed by 350 days in model-3. Based on sustainability values index (SI) derived from different IFS models, maximum SVI values was recorded in model-4 (0.71) followed by model-3 (0.47). Therefore, the intensification of IFS model with crop, horticulture, fishery and livestock or poultry should be popularized among the small and marginal farmers on a larger scale, as it provide scope for higher returns, year round employment and sustainable livelihood in longer perspectives of Eastern Himalayas.

The integrated farming system is an environmentally friendly and cost‐effective approach to the sustainability of agri‐food systems in the modern era of the changing climate: A comprehensive review

“…To address these emerging issues, there is a need for problemsolving production approaches that not only ensure a continuous supply of various commodities to a family/nation but also recycle the wastes, maintaining an ecological balance and sustaining the resources for the future generation (Palsaniya et al, 2022;Patel et al, 2019). In this regard, an IFS is an eco-friendly approach that is a suitable combination of farm enterprises allocated systematically in the farm which perform synergistically among themselves and the produce available to the farmer is utilized by the family for their food and nutritional security to sustain their livelihood (Kumar et al, 2018). Walia et al (2019) defined integrated farming as a biologically integrated system, which integrates natural resources in a regulated mechanism into farming activities to achieve maximum replacement of offfarm inputs and sustain farm income.…”

“…This holistic approach creates a broad spectrum of opportunities for rural livelihood and tackles the environmental problems caused by prevailing systems, thus showcasing its potential to enhance agricultural output across the different regions of India. Farmers can adopt different components along with suitable crops to get higher system productivity with higher profitability and employment from the same piece of land (Kumar et al, 2018). Moreover, Kaur, Prusty, et al (2021); Kaur, Vashist, et al (2021) stated that systematically planned interventions, addressing identified constraints in different components of farming systems lead to an increase in farmers' net income.…”

“…In Table 3, the Per capita recommended minimum amount of food and its corresponding price for an Indian Balanced diet, considering the nutritional needs and affordability of the population has been reported and these IFS farms can fulfil the basic needs of farm families which include (cereal, pulses, oilseeds, milk, fruit, honey, meat, etc. ), feed fodder, fiber, and fuel ensuring both food and nutritional security but these farming systems should be carefully planned, designed, implemented, and should be location specific to ensure high productivity with food and nutritional security and uplifting security livelihood (Kumar et al, 2018). The different components in IFS farms provide milk, egg, and meat from the livestock and poultry component to the small and marginal farmers which not only meets their protein requirement but also assists in achieving food and nutritional security by better use of available resources (Paramesh et al, 2021).…”

“…The Indian government has focused on the development of farming communities by promoting IFS by formulating various programs to enhance the livelihood security of farmers and significantly increase agriculture production and livestock population (Behera et al, 2013). Kumar et al (2018) stated that location-specific integration of agricultural components technically/skillfully through IFS is greatly useful for sustaining the livelihood of small-holders and relying completely on income generated from one agricultural component is inadequate to meet the needs of small and marginal farmers (Behera et al, 2012;Kumar et al, 2018;Singh et al, 2012). Therefore, with rising consumerism in rural areas, farmers need to improve their standard of living ensuring and best means is the adoption of IFS with the allocation of best-suited enterprises in the farm which can enhance their income and livelihood security Kumar, Subash, et al, 2012;Puste et al, 2013).…”

Harnessing the Potential of the Economic and Nutritional Power of Integrated Farming

“…Such integration of these various parts has proven to be profitable [9], productive and sustainable [10,11]. This integrated agriculture is one of the resource management strategies that can increase production, be economical and sustainable [12,13].…”