Integrated Farming System: Key to sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions

Abstract

Ensuring higher productivity and profitability, gainful employment and adequate supply of food, feed, fodder and fiber for a growing human and livestock population, along with maintaining environmental sustainability are major challenges in agricultural production systems of arid and semi-arid regions. Integrated farming systems (IFS) comprising of many agri-innovations have the potential to meet such requirements. An association of individual and interdependent components of farming on a given piece of land, taking cognizance of available natural resources and the differential requirement of a wide range of farming community, remains the guiding principle of IFS. Research conducted across arid and semi-arid regions is reviewed here in order to understand the role of IFS in enhancing production, income and livelihood; minimizing risk associated with farming in arid and drier semi-arid regions; utilizing and conserving the resources; and in enhancing mitigation and adaptation to climate change. It has been conclusively established that IFS involving integration of different enterprises (crop, livestock, horticulture, forestry, poultry and fish) enhanced productivity, profitability, resource use efficiency, generated more employment and minimized resources degradation and risks. IFS, therefore, could be a key form of farming intensification needed for achieving future food security and environmental sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions. Promoting adoption of the location-specific IFS in future is linked directly with coherent policy, institutional commitment, infrastructure development, better coordination among different agricultural and rural development programme and agencies, and a stimulus package of incentives. The relevance of IFS in adaptation to and mitigation of climate change is also discussed.

Development of Sustainable Integrated Farming Systems for Small and Marginal Farmers and Ecosystem Services -A Comprehensive Review

“…Diversification of farming including multifarious activities of different enterprises included in the IFS model paved to set of employment opportunities and intact households with farming and their family members were always engaged throughout the year in this business. Rathore et al, (2019) also reported that integrated farming systems under arid and semi-regions increased employment opportunities than adopted single farming system. Thus, IFS model helped in solving the problem of unemployment of farm families.…”

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

“…within a single farm. The inclusion of an agroforestry component in IFS significantly contributes to the conservation of water resources by facilitating the canopy cover and regulation of soil moisture regimes (Rathore et al., 2019). The adoption of IFS is capable of higher water productivity as compared to the existing soybean–wheat system (Surve et al., 2014).…”

Social Media Literacy among Oil Palm Smallholders in East Malaysia and Association with Oil Palm Integration Practices

“…Besides that, agricultural integration can increase profits because production costs can be reduced. Rathore et al [29] also reported an increase in productivity, profitability, and the efficient use of resources in agricultural integration systems incorporating integration practices (e.g., crop and livestock operations, horticulture, forestry enterprises, poultry enterprises, and fisheries). Therefore, agricultural integration can be the main method of agriculture in arid and semi-arid countries to ensure food security and environmental sustainability.…”