A Guide Book for Integrated Farming System (IFS)

A Guide Book for Integrated Farming System (IFS)

Dr .Hina Ashraf Waiz

Department of Livestock Production Management, CVAS, Navania, Udaipur, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Bikaner, India- 313601

INTRODUCTION

A farming system consists of various farm activities, including cropping systems, horticulture, livestock, fisheries, forestry, and poultry. Additionally, it encompasses the tools and resources utilized by farmers to ensure profitable and sustainable agricultural production. Despite the existence of multiple definitions, the underlying concept remains consistent: it is a method employed to meet the diverse requirements of the farming community while preserving the natural resource base and environmental quality.

According to Jayanthi et al. (2000), the concept of a “farming system” pertains to a lucrative configuration of agricultural activities and the resources available to farmers for their cultivation. It successfully engages with the surroundings without disturbing the ecological and socioeconomic equilibrium, all while striving to accomplish the nation’s goals.

A typical farming system, or whole farm business, is comprised of three main components: the crop component (such as cereals, pulses, oilseeds, sugar, fiber, vegetables, fruits, agroforestry, etc.), the animal component (including cattle, goats, sheep, etc.), and homestead farming (involving biogas, post-harvest, value-added products, grinding, splitting of pulses), which encompasses other associated activities. Each of these elements may involve multiple activities or processes.

FARMING SYSTEM RESEARCH

Farming system research must prioritize the needs of farmers, focus on the entire farming system, address problems, involve multiple disciplines, and complement conventional research approaches. Farming system research should evaluate new technologies in field experiments and provide farmers with valuable insights. A different approach to the conventional “Transfer of Technology” model is the “Farmer First and Last” framework, which emphasizes the preferences and perspectives of farmers over those of scientists.

Dry farming

Ranching

Mixed farming

Diversified farming

Specialized farming Specialized farming

FARMING SYSTEM

CLASSIFICATION OF FARMING SYSTEMS ACCORDING TO THE VALUE OF PRODUCTS AND REVENUE GENERATED

1. Specialized Farming

A specialized farm is defined as a farm that derives a minimum of 50% of its total revenue from a single enterprise, which could include crops, cattle, dairy products, poultry, and other similar activities.

Advantages of specialized farming

• Improved Land Utilization: Cultivating crops on land that is most suitable for specific crops offers numerous benefits.
• Enhanced Marketing Opportunities: It opens up better marketing avenues by allowing for grading, processing, storing, transporting, and financing of goods.
• Reduced Labor and Equipment Requirements: Specialized farming generally does not require highly skilled individuals or specialized machinery.
• Increased Productivity & Expertise of the Workforce: Specialization helps workers become more efficient and proficient in performing a specific set of tasks.
• Simplified Maintenance: Focusing on specific tasks in specialized farming makes it easier to maintain farm records.
• Higher Output: Intensive production results in a larger quantity of output.
• Improved Management: Having fewer operations to oversee on the farm makes it simpler to identify and eliminate sources of waste.

Disadvantages of specialized farming

• The demand for a product decreases during seasons when there is a failed harvest and the market price of the commodity decreases.
• Soil fertility cannot be maintained without implementing crop rotation.
• The farm’s income is inconsistent due to payments being made only once or twice a year.
• Productive resources such as land, labor, and capital are not fully utilized in comparison to diversified farming, which focuses on various areas.
• Knowledge of other activities is deemed irrelevant due to the extreme specialization of a particular enterprise.
• Farm byproducts cannot be effectively utilized due to a shortage of livestock on the farm.
• The understanding of farm businesses is limited.

2. Diversified farming

A diversified farm is characterized by having multiple production enterprises or revenue streams, with no single source accounting for more than half of the total income. Farmers operating on such farms depend on a variety of income sources for example, Crop production + dairy + poultry + fishery + Fruit production + Sheep farming.

Advantages of diversified farming

• Improved resource utilization: Diversified farming enhances the efficient utilization of land, labor, and capital through the implementation of crop rotations, consistent employment of farm and family labor, and the more profitable use of equipment.
• Task diversity: The farmer and his workers are involved in a wide range of tasks throughout the year.
• Reduced crop failure risk: Diversified farming minimizes the chances of crop failure and fluctuations in product market prices due to its diversified specialization.
• Efficient resource utilization: By raising livestock such as cattle, poultry, and birds alongside crop production, the farm can effectively utilize its byproducts.
• Steady returns: The various activities in diversified farming ensure regular and faster returns.
• Mitigated soil erosion risk: Cultivating the land throughout the year helps prevent soil erosion.
• Enhanced soil fertility: Continuous cultivation of the land in diversified farming allows for the evaluation and improvement of soil fertility.
• Lower risk: Diversified farming techniques pose less risk compared to specialized farming and enable optimal utilization of all resources.

Disadvantages of diversified farming

• Lack of Targeted Profit: Without a cooperative marketing system in place, achieving the desired profit becomes difficult.
• Ambiguity: Properly examining different businesses poses a challenge.
• Reduced Upkeep: Farmers struggle to maintain all the necessary equipment for different crops.
• Detecting Agricultural Waste: Identifying farm waste in a diversified farming setting proves to be a difficult task.

3. Mixed farming

A mixed farming system encompasses various agricultural practices such as crop cultivation, animal husbandry, poultry farming, fishery management, beekeeping, and other related activities within a single farm. The purpose of this system is to cater to the diverse needs of the farmer by providing multiple avenues for support and sustenance.

Advantages of mixed farming

• When the yield is low or the costs fluctuate, farmers can depend on animals. Farmers always receive income, and if they plan their animal husbandry properly, their income remains stable.
• Selling both crop collections and animal products together provides higher compensation compared to solely focusing on crop cultivation or animal rearing. This keeps the farmer consistently engaged.
• After gathering the crops, the farmer focuses on breeding animals that guarantee a reliable income. By using surplus harvest as grain, farmers save money on purchasing it.
• Additionally, utilizing animal compost not only supports crop production but also saves money and improves soil health.

Disadvantages of mixed farming

• The farmers can depend on animals during times of low yield or fluctuating costs. By incorporating animal husbandry into their farming practices, farmers can maintain a steady income.
• The combined revenue from selling both crops and animal products surpasses the income from either farming method alone. This approach keeps the farmers busy as they focus on breeding animals to secure a reliable source of income.
• Additionally, using excess harvest as animal feed helps save money that would have been spent on purchasing feed.
• Furthermore, utilizing animal compost not only supports crop production but also saves money and improves soil health.

4. Ranching

Unlike other forms of agricultural and livestock production, ranching involves allowing livestock to graze on natural vegetation without engaging in crop production or tilling on the ranch land. Ranchers rely on public grazing property since they do not possess their own land. Typically, one or more operators dedicate the majority of their time to ranching. This practice is prevalent in countries such as Australia, America, Tibet, and certain regions of India.

5. Dry farming

Farmers in arid regions, where rainfall is limited to 750 mm or less, face challenges in sustaining their livelihoods. The key concern in managing farms in these areas is retaining soil moisture for rain-dependent crops. To address this issue, the following strategies should be implemented in dry farming:

1. a) Ensuring timely land preparation to optimize moisture absorption and retention.
2. b) Implementing proper inter-culturing practices at key stages of crop growth.
3. c) Enhancing soil water retention capacity through the effective application of organic manure.
4. d) Utilizing tools that facilitate efficient soil penetration.
5. e) Constructing fields to maximize water conservation.
6. f) Selecting the most suitable seed rates for optimal crop growth.
7. g) Managing plant populations to prevent overcrowding.
8. h) Diversifying crops for improved soil health and productivity.

INTEGRATED LIVESTOCK FARMING

The integrated livestock farming system is built on the principle that “there is no waste” and that “waste is simply an underutilized resource that can be transformed into another valuable material for a different purpose.” This concept forms the basis of an integrated livestock production system .It is a strategy for efficiently managing waste generated by different farming practices and enables farmers to attain self-sufficiency and autonomy. The majority of farmers currently possess small, fragmented land parcels (less than 1 ha), and the land area dedicated to agriculture is diminishing, leading to reduced crop production. Crop cultivation and harvesting in agricultural activities are seasonal, leaving farmers with free time during other periods of the year. By integrating the livestock sector with diverse farming systems, farmers can generate year-round income and employment opportunities, while also catering to the needs of those with limited land holdings.

Principles of integrated livestock farming system

The principles of integrated livestock farming systems aim to:

1. Cyclic
2. Rational
3. Ecologically sustainable
4. 1. Cyclic: The agricultural system operates in a cyclical manner, involving organic resources, livestock, land, and crops. This cycle ensures a steady and reliable income while enhancing the overall productivity of the system. Consequently, decisions made regarding one component can have an impact on the others.
5. Rational: By equipping farmers with technology solutions that are both economically viable and environmentally friendly, the utilization of crop residues can be optimized, leading to a more sustainable approach that contributes to poverty reduction.
6. Ecologically sustainable: Through organic pest and disease control, efficient crop management practices and reduced chemical usage, the integrated livestock farming system has established a harmonious agro-ecological balance, minimizing the reliance on pesticides and inorganic fertilizers. This approach not only safeguards the environment but also boosts income levels and conserves the earth’s natural resources.

Livestock +crop

Classification of integrated livestock farming

Backyard poultry+ crop+ livestock

Crop+ livestock +poultry+ fishery

Poultry +fish

Duck +fish

Crop+ livestock+ fishery +biogas+ vermin-compost

Integrated Livestock Farming

Crop+ livestock+ fishery

Rabbit +fishery

Pig +fishery

Silvi-pasture +sheep/goat

 

1. Integration of livestock with crop

 Livestock manure is a valuable resource that can enhance soil fertility and reduce the need for artificial fertilizers in agriculture. Additionally, animals in integrated crop livestock farming systems play a crucial role in various farm operations beyond just producing livestock products. They provide energy for activities such as transportation, milling, logging, marketing and irrigation. Animal power is also utilized for tasks like ploughing. Furthermore, animal waste, including manure, serves important functions in maintaining the overall sustainability of the farming system.

Crop residues and other agricultural byproducts that would typically pose a significant waste disposal problem can be utilized as livestock feed, which is one of the primary advantages of crop-livestock production systems. For example, straw, spoiled fruits, grains, and household waste can all serve as animal feed. Once properly decomposed, the approximately 4,000–5,000 kg of dung and 3,500–4,000 liters of urine produced by a healthy cow each year can be utilized as natural fertilizer for fields, replacing the need for artificial fertilizers. The utilization of cow dung contributes to the overall sustainability of the farming system.

2. Integration of crop , livestock and fish  

After the rice crop is harvested, the remaining paddy straw can be given to cattle. Livestock dung, which contains nitrogen and phosphorus, can be applied to agricultural fields to enhance soil fertility. Additionally, rice fields can contribute to fish productivity by providing a rich source of planktonic, periphytic, and benthic food for fish.

In an integrated farming system, fish can be raised without the need for additional feed, utilizing the existing animal dung to promote the growth of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Fish species such as rohu, catla, mrigal, grass carp, common carp, and silver carp are well-suited to this integrated system. To achieve higher fish yields, it is recommended to stock fish fingerlings at rates ranging from 8000 to 8500 per hectare. For optimal results in integrated farming systems, a species ratio of 40% surface feeders (Silver carp and catla), 20% column feeders (rohu), 20 to 30% bottom feeders (common carp and mrigal), and 10 to 20% macro vegetation feeders (grass carp) is preferred.

3. Integration of backyard poultry, crop and livestock

Integrating livestock with crops and backyard poultry farming has the potential to enhance farmers’ incomes and enhance food security. The presence of sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry in the family’s backyard can serve as a valuable source of income during emergencies. Additionally, birds can scavenge on unprocessed grains found in dung as well as field wastes leftover from threshing. Backyard poultry also plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of diseases among crops by preying on insects and pests. Moreover, there is no need for separate inputs to provide the birds with additional food. The farm family can benefit from a reliable source of protein through eggs and chicken, which also contribute to regular income generation.

4. Integration of crop, livestock ,poultry and fishery

The farming system encompasses various sectors such as poultry, fisheries, and horticulture. In order to reduce the expenses associated with fertilizers and feeds in fish farming, a combination of duck, pig, poultry, and fish farming can be implemented. This entails raising chickens in close proximity to or directly above fish ponds, allowing the waste from the poultry to naturally fall into the fish pond and be reused. Additionally, an integrated farming system can be established, utilizing a two-tier housing structure where the lower level is designated for pigs situated over a fish pond, while the upper level is utilized for poultry rearing. The excreta from the poultry is utilized by the pigs, and in turn, the excreta from the pigs is utilized by the fish. This resource recycling process facilitates the growth of zooplankton and phytoplankton, which serve as a food source for the fish.

5. Integration of Poultry and fishery

To reduce costs on fertilizers and feeds in fish farming while maximizing profits, integrating poultry farming for meat (broilers) or eggs (layers) with fish farming can be a viable solution. One approach is to raise poultry near or directly over the fish ponds, allowing the waste from the birds to serve as natural fertilizer for the fishponds. By constructing poultry housing above the water level using bamboo poles, the waste can directly benefit the fish ponds. The most suitable birds for this integrated system are those raised intensively, confined to small spaces without outdoor access. This method is most effective when using deep litter, which requires a layer of 6 to 8 cm thickness made of materials like groundnut shells, sawdust, dry leaves, or chopped straw.

6. Integration of Duck and fishery

A fish pond, known as a semi-closed biological system containing various aquatic animals and plants, offers ducks a healthy environment devoid of diseases. In return, ducks consume young frogs, tadpoles, and dragonflies, thus creating a secure habitat for fish. The excrement of ducks directly enters the pond, supplying essential minerals that enhance the growth of natural food. This results in the advantages of uniform fertilization and zero energy loss. Integrated farming is practiced in several states of India, including West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Tripura, and Karnataka. Among these states, the “Indian runners” breed is predominantly utilized in this farming system.

7. Integration of crop, livestock, fishery ,biogas and vermin-compost

The integration of these enterprises has the potential to enhance overall productivity while maintaining ecological balance and long-term economic sustainability. The integrated farming approach for small ruminants will not only generate income for farmers but also improve soil fertility, enable goats to utilize weeds as a food source, and reduce instances of crop diseases. According to Senthilvel et al. (1998), small and marginal farmers in southern Tamil Nadu have experienced a significant rise in their income by cultivating crops, fruit trees, and raising goats on arid land. Small ruminants have the ability to directly graze on shrubs and trees, thereby reducing labor costs. In this method, small ruminants have grazing periods lasting 1-2 weeks, followed by rest periods lasting 3-6 weeks. In dry conditions, the recovery time may need to be extended. Under this approach, small ruminants will have the freedom to move around horticulture plantations, and boundary plantations will provide them with feed during scarcity (Ramana et al., 2011). Horticulture trees will enhance yield for income generation and provide high-quality leaf fodder for small ruminants.

Livestock dung is utilized to produce biogas, which can be used for energy production, heating, and other purposes, as well as slurry, which serves as fertilizer for crop cultivation. Cow dung can be transformed into vermi-compost, a highly fertile and productive fertilizer for field crops.

8. Integration of Silvi-pasture with sheep/goat

Perennial trees are grown on a single piece of land together with a mixture of improved pasture species or various types of grasses in this approach. The animals utilize the leaves of the trees both as feed and for grazing. By tackling the problem of insufficient green fodder during the lean season, this method reduces the expenses associated with concentrate feed for the animals. Animal grazing enhances soil fertility by introducing essential nutrients from dung and urine. The disturbance caused by the animals’ movements while grazing disrupts the habitats of insects and pests living in leaves and shrubs, thereby reducing the likelihood of disease outbreaks. Additionally, trees offer timber and fodder for animals during times of scarcity.

9. Integration of pig and fishery

A production system has been created for Indian conditions, which integrates pig farming and fish culture in a scientifically accurate and economically viable manner. Pig waste is either directly disposed into the pond or collected from the animal house and then deposited into the pond. Pig stalls are built either on or near the rear of the pond. The utilization of pig manure as fertilizer for ponds is highly beneficial as it enhances the biological activity of the water, thereby stimulating fish growth.

10. Integration of rabbit and fishery

The rabbit house incorporates embankments into the rabbit-fish integration system, allowing for the direct deposition of waste and washing into the pond. The pond, spanning 1.0 hectares, can benefit from the fertilization provided by the excretions of 300–400 rabbits. By stocking 15000 fingers per hectare annually, it becomes feasible to yield a fish production ranging from 3500 to 4000 kg.

CONCLUSION

Integrated livestock farming system focuses on implementing a range of resource-saving methods to increase production and profitability, while also minimizing the negative impacts of intensive farming on the environment. The emphasis is on effective resource management to enhance farm output, reduce environmental harm, improve the quality of life for resource-constrained farmers, and ensure sustainability. Integrated farming, which involves the integration of various plants, animals, fish, birds, and aquatic flora and fauna alongside traditional crops, livestock, poultry, and tree crops, is a key technique employed. For small and marginal farmers, combining multiple operations with cropping can result in higher returns compared to single enterprises when carefully selected, planned, and implemented.

Corresponding author:  drhinavet@gmail.com

Author’s declaration: The authors declare that she has no conflict of interest

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