Redesigning of Farming Systems Using a Multi-Criterion Assessment Tool for Sustainable Intensification and Nutritional Security in Northwestern India

Abstract

Sustaining agricultural systems dominated by small and vulnerable resource-poor farms that are subject to climatic aberrations is a major challenge for most Asian countries. In this context, the role of agriculture requires immediate attention in northwestern India where marginal farmers with less than a meagre 1 hectare of land represent about 67% of the population. Research based on prototype farms is being promoted in the redesign of current farming practices to help give these farmers sustainable livelihoods. We hypothesize that integrating innovative cropping systems into smallholder marginal farms could help to achieve these objectives. The study presented here describes a modelling approach for the ex-ante assessment of the current farming practices of marginal households in terms of economic, environmental, and nutritional indicators in comparison with those of experimental research farms in order to delineate an alternative scope of flexibility to optimize farming practices. We used the FarmDESIGN model to evaluate farmers’ realities, with a focus on marginal farms (marginal poor farmers (MPFs)) and marginal diversified farmers (MDF) with the objective of enhancing profit, soil organic matter balance, and nutritional system yield in terms of dietary energy and reducing pesticide usage. Introducing prototype cropping systems in up to 33% of the farm area, combined with rearrangements of the existing crops, provided ample opportunity to improve farm performance. The improvements were greater when prototype cropping systems were added, and MPFs could benefit greatly from improvements in soil organic matter balance when considering the current negative organic matter balance of most farms. We conclude that the model-based approach of evaluating the potential of new cropping systems, along with the fine tuning of alternative combinations, will support the enhanced adaptability of innovative cropping practices, which will help to improve the livelihoods of marginal farmers.

Integrating conservation agriculture with intensive crop diversification in the maize-based organic system: Impact on sustaining food and nutritional security

“…These intensive cropping rotations also reduced the area of land needed for agricultural production. In accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Northeast Himalayan region faces the challenge of maximizing sustainable agricultural development while simultaneously increasing grain production to a level that satisfies dietary needs for carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, and minerals while simultaneously reducing resource use ( 8 , 42 , 43 ). The calorie and protein yields of all crops grown throughout the Kharif, Rabi, and summer seasons, as well as the yields of all cropping systems, were considerably impacted by conservation agriculture.…”

Assessment and Principles of Environmentally Sustainable Food and Agriculture Systems

“…Crop rotations are crucial for sustainable agroecosystems and food security because they affect the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil and improve its structure. Management alternatives and green manure and legume integrations have been able to reduce the negative effects on the environment and increase farm income through efficient use of resources and the productivity and sustainability of cropping systems by improving the carrying capacity of the crop system and availability of nutrients [59,60].…”

Unraveling determinants of integrated farming systems adoption for sustainable livelihood and dietary diversity

“…IFS, through different combinations of crop-livestock enterprises, diversifies the systems with many crops and animal units. Diversification in agriculture is not only a measure of improved income (17) but also another dimension to combat nutritional security through diversity in the diet in rural areas (18)(19)(20). Kumar et al (21) developed IFS models suitable for different agro-climatic regions, suggesting that all these models ensure providing food and nutritional security to farm families without fail.…”