Sustainable Integrated Farming System  for Improving Livestock -based Agricultural  Productivity & Livelihood Security in India

 

Sustainable Integrated Farming System  for Improving Livestock -based Agricultural  Productivity & Livelihood Security in India

 

The need for food goods is always growing in the modern world. On the other hand, there is less water and arable land available. However, the integrated farming system is becoming increasingly significant in this situation.

Currently, integrated farming is quite successful. The phrase “integrated farming” actually refers to combining different types of animal and plant cultures such that waste produced in One operation breaks the cycle of waste by recycling it into valuable material in another.

Let’s imagine there is a piece of property with two enormous ponds and 40 bighas. There are both fish farms and flocks of ducks. There is a location where people also keep cows and goats. Aquatic vegetables are grown using their waste as fertilizer. By cooperating in one place, it is possible to reduce the cost of farming in this way.

Profitability and sustainability of agricultural sector in India is encountering numerous and complex hindrances such as maintenance of sustainability of our natural resources, adverse impact of climate change, declining factor productivity, nutrient mining and multiple nutrient deficiencies, overexploitation of groundwater resources, soil degradation due to intensive tillage practices, and decreased soil organic carbon (SOC) as well as diminishing trend in size of landholding which are expected to become drastic with the passage of time and these are some of the common concerns over wide range in most parts of the country resulting in stagnation in productivity of the system. Agriculture in our country is at crossroads in terms of obtaining sustainability primarily on three grounds; (a) the region is finding it troublesome to originate sufficient income and employment for its vast farming population, (b) failing to achieve environmental and energy security at the farm level, and (c) failing to confront or cope up with the climate change (Behera and France, 2016). Such types of concerns and problems posed by modern-day agriculture have given birth to new concepts viz. organic farming, natural farming, biodynamic agriculture, do-nothing agriculture, eco-farming, integrated farming system etc. The essence of such farming practices simply implies, back to nature to maintain the long-run productivity of the soil-plant-animal continuum. Faced with this circumstances, such agricultural strategies need to be explored that can increase productivity and generate adequate income and employment for the smallholder farmers, as well as produce renewable energy on the farm, and stop the erosion of biodiversity and offset carbon emissions (Behera et al., 2015). In order to keep pace with the burgeoning food requirements of such a large population pressure, there is an immediate requirement to accelerate all aspects of agricultural food production with due consideration to restoration and conservation of natural resources, which can only be accomplished through sustainable resource management and adoption of farmer participatory holistic strategies. In view of the decline in per capita land availability, it is obligatory to develop approaches and improved agricultural technologies that enable enough employment opportunities and income generation, especially for the smallholders having < 2.0 ha land who constitute the gigantic majority of the farming community in the developing world. No single farm enterprise, such as a typical monocropping system, is likely to be able to sustain the smallholder farmers. Integrated farming systems (IFS) are less hazardous if controlled effectively, as they get advantages from synergisms among several enterprises, diversification in produce, and environmental soundness. On this basis, IFS has been recommended for the development of small and marginal farms, and researchers have developed various strategies which have benefitted smallholder farmers by contributing supplementary income and employment as well as curtailing risk.

The integrated farming system approach is recognized as a resource management strategy to obtain economic and sustained productivity that encounters the diversified requirements of the farm household whilst conserving the resource base and maintaining a high level of environmental quality (Lal and Miller, 1990). IFS is an entire complex of development, management and allocation of resources as well as decisions and activities, within an operational farm unit, or combinations of units, that results in agricultural production, processing and marketing of the products. It is a whole farm administration strategy that incorporates the ecological attention of a diverse and healthy environment with the economic demands of agriculture to ensure a continuing supply of wholesome and affordable food. The integrated farming system, on the other hand, is a dynamic concept which must have the flexibility to be relevant on any farm, in any country, and it must always be receptive to change and technological advances. Above all, IFS is a practical way forward for agriculture that will benefit society, not just those who practice it. IFS can be defined as a positive interaction of two or more components of different nature like field and horticultural crops, livestock, aquaculture or fishery, poultry, duckery, apiculture, sericulture, mushroom cultivation, biogas production, silviculture etc. within the biophysical and socio-economic environment of the farmers to enhance productivity and profitability in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way (Behera et al., 2004, Rautaray et al., 2005). A judicious mixture of two or more of these farm enterprises with advanced agronomic management tools may complement the farm income together with the help in recycling the farm residues.The selection of enterprises must be based on the cardinal principles of minimizing the competition and maximizing the complementarity between the enterprises.

Integrated farming is growing in popularity as farming becomes more advanced in the scientific era. Significant changes are also occurring in the rural economy. Therefore, we will explore the integrated farming system below in this comprehensive post today.

What Is An Integrated Farming System?

The study of farming systems includes the integrated system. It is a sustainable strategy. It transforms the garbage from one business into food for another. An Integrated system maximizes the utilization of farm resources in this way.

For the purpose of making the most effective use of a farm family’s land, labor, and other resources, it is the scientific integration of several interacting and interdependent farm enterprises. These resources give farms specifically situated in the restricted zone year-round income.

The integrated farming approach makes sense in that it seeks to reduce waste from the various agricultural subsystems. As a result, it raises rural residents’ income, nutritional security, and employment prospects.

What Is The Need For Integrated Farming?

First, understand the requirements of this integrated farming system. Here, are some points discussed below.

1. Construction In The Area Under Cropping:

Due to urbanization, industrialization, population expansion, and the construction of infrastructure and roads, the amount of land used for agriculture is decreasing every day. The carrying capacity of the land per unit of capital has significantly decreased as a result.

2. Small & Fracture Holding:

Nearly 90% of active farms in India are smaller than 1 hectare. And as a result, farms’ average holdings have been declining.

3. Employment, Seasonal Nature Of Income & Out-Migration:

Only four months of the wet season takes for harvesting in rain-fed areas. Employment prospects are sparse during other seasons. As a result, a lot of men who are farmers move to the metropolis in quest of work. To discourage migration, year-round work opportunities in rural areas are necessary.

4. Deterioration Of Resource Base:

The long-term preservation of the human population is the ultimate objective of sustainable agriculture. Finding the most effective approach to use internal inputs for sustainable agricultural and livestock production that yields a positive return on investment is the optimal way to do this.

5. Household Necessity:

If a sufficient and balanced diet, as well as access to a minimal range of food ingredients, is available to all state residents. The state or country will thereafter have achieved nutritional and food security. In order to meet all of a household’s needs, small and marginal farmers who produce timber are also essential.

Goals Of Integrated Farming Method:

• Increasing output per square foot.
• proper disposal of garbage.
• generations with year-round, consistent income.
• cutting back on the use of chemicals.
• maximize the yield of each component company.
• management of soil health.

Principles Of Integrated Farming Method:

• It is important to produce an adequate amount of high-quality food, fiber fodder, and industrial raw materials.
• For the integrated farming system to meet societal needs, a productive farming operation must be maintained.
• The program ought to safeguard the environment.
• To ensure the sustainability of natural resources through the system.

Factors Selecting The Performance Of This Method: 

• a certain area’s climatic and soil characteristics.
• Existence of resources, labor, and capital on land.
• the degree to which resources are now being used.
• The planned integrated farming system’s economics.
• the farmer’s managing abilities.

Elements:

• Trees, birds, cattle, and crops make up the majority of any IFS.
• Subsystems for crops can include monochromatic, mixed/intercrop, multi-tiered crops of cereals, legumes (pulses), oilseeds, and forage, among others.
• Bees, chickens, milch cows, goats, and sheep are examples of livestock.
• Fruit trees, a timer, fuel, and fodder are a few possible tree components.

Benefits:

1. Productivity:

The integrated farming system increases area utilization as a result of the intensification of crops and related businesses. Ultimately it enables greater economic productivity per unit of area and time. The technique enhances soil fertility and physical structure by using organic compost and cover crops.

2. Profitability: 

An enormous amount of profit is being made through integrated farming, which was not conceivable when done conventionally. The cost of operations is significantly decreased When one firm uses waste materials as input for another firm.

3. Sustainability:

By using the leftovers from related components, it becomes possible to organically feed the soil, extending the useful life of the production base. IFS encourages the sustainability of ecosystems by opposing deforestation.

4. Balanced Food:

Enables farmers to produce a variety of products, increasing the availability of various food sources. As a result, there is food and nutritional security.

5. Environmental Safety:

Through the integration of the necessary components, the integrated agricultural system efficiently recycles waste products. reducing environmental contamination and preserving agroecological equilibrium as a result.

6. Recycling:

Crop residues, livestock waste, and other residual resources can all be successfully recycled when farming in an integrated way.

7. Saving Energy:

By producing alternative fuel sources as a byproduct of many firms in the system, the integrated farming technique efficiently minimizes access dependence on fossil fuels as a source of energy.

8. Incomes Rounds The Year: 

Farmers in the integrated farming system get paid throughout the year thanks to numerous businesses. This has a favorable impact on aspects of the farmer’s lifestyle like food, shelter, health, and education.

Drawbacks:

1. Possible Restriction On The Capacity Of Productivity:

The majority of farmers with tiny farmlands experience this. The practice of mixed farming may become less suited when there is insufficient land owing to a shortage of space since, despite the fact that the yield would be abundant, the production capacity would be significantly reduced.

2. Crops And Animals On The Same Land:

Animals might impede the growth of crops in an integrated farming system. Farmers stamped them with animals to use them as food. Even if the animals are restrained, this is still a possibility. Because whenever they discover their way, they may always leave their confined area.

3. No Shifting Cultivation:

In a mixed farming system, shifting cultivation is less likely to happen, particularly in regions with limited land. When tilling and cultivation of a specific piece of land are delayed for a period of several years, shifting cultivation is encouraged since it helps the soil restore its full nutritional capacity. Additionally, if shifting cultivation is not used, soil loses its nutrients.

4. No Use Of  Machines:

Intercropping occurs most commonly in an integrated farming system. The diversity of the crops prevents the employment of mechanization. This is a result of their differences, which affect how long it takes for them to produce and yield. Additionally, the employment of machinery in a mixed farming system would have an impact on the animals due to the machinery’s release of gases. Additionally, machinery may affect some delicate crops.

What Is The Integrated Farming System Model?

Production of crops and pastures, crop harvest, storage of feed, grazing, feeding, and waste handling are some of the interrelated operations that go into raising livestock. The economics, environmental impact, and long-term performance of all manufacturing systems can predict with the aid of computer simulation.

To simulate feed storage and animal performance, this model was enhanced with new elements. By including elements to simulate the growth, harvest, and storage of grass, small grains, and soybeans, the dairy farm model was further expanded.

The integrated farming system model, or IFSM, was significantly revised to include a beef animal component and a crop farm alternative (no animals). The model adds further elements to replicate environmental effects such as ammonia volatilization, nitrate leaching, phosphorus runoff, and greenhouse gas emissions, and the model’s size continued to increase.

Model Of Integrated Farming Method:

Model-1: 

Horticulture+ Piggery+ Fisheries+ Plantation Crops

Note: 

• Some fish graze directly on pig excrement, and pig dung is a great pond fertilizer.
• Pig sites are cleaned and bathed with pond water.
• Plant between trees in gardens, shade fishing ponds, or to help prevent soil erosion.

Model-2:

Horticulture+ Duckery+ Fishery+ Plantation Crops+ Vermicomposting+ Apiary

Note:

• Vermicompost utilizes as agricultural manure or for commercial purposes.
• Production and pollination of honey in an apiary.
• Ducks use their waste as pond fertilizer while getting their food from water plants and other sources.
• Due to the construction of a duck house in the dike of the pond, it is possible to meet the work on a small amount of land.

Model-3:

Agriculture+ Horticulture+ Poultry+ Fishery+ Fruits crop+ vegetables and spices crops+ field crops+ plantation crops+ vermicompost unit+ piggery.

Model-4:

Agriculture+ horticulture+ poultry+ fishery+ azolla+ mushroom

Note:

• Straw leftovers for composting, manuring, and mushrooms.
• Poultry provides money, eggs, meat, dung, and pig feed.
• Azolla: A balanced feed with bio-fertilizer for all livestock. rice fertilizer made from nature.

 

 

Integrated Farming System (IFS) is an interdependent, interrelated often interlocking production systems based on few crops, animals and related subsidiary enterprises in such a way that maximize the utilization of nutrients of each system and minimize the negative effect of these enterprises on environment.

Under Indian conditions where large population of farmers comes under small and marginal farmers, it becomes very necessary to find out the farming techniques which are best suited to them. Traditional farming system of cultivating only specific crops and some livestock species in some specific season is found not that much profitable and sustainable as compared to integrated farming system.

Advantages of Integrated Farming System

Benefits or Advantages of Integrated Farming System-

• Productivity: one of the main benefits of maintaining IFS, to increase yield of different components in terms of per unit area or per unit of cost involved with it.
• Profitability: by utilising each other by-product as a raw material of other components reduce cost of cultivation/maintenance as well as enhancing soil fertility for sustainable production, leads a higher BC ratio by managing waste of by-products and full utilization of investment.
• Potentiality or Sustainability: In long term aspects, by linking of different components act as organic supplementary through effective utilization of available resources, provides an opportunity to regain potentiality of production.
• Balanced Food: different component supplies different nutrients which can fulfill ones daily required nutrients.
• Environmental Safety: Effectively recycling of waste material as others raw materials through IFS models, thus minimize environment pollution.
• Recycling: In IFS, Effective recycling of waste material (crop residues and livestock wastes) helps to make a farm self-sufficient in terms of avoiding outside inputs – fertilizers, agrochemicals, feeds, energy, etc.
• Income Rounds the year: Due to maintenance of different enterprises with crops, eggs, milk, mushroom, honey, cocoons silkworm, it provides income throughout the year.
• Adoption of New Technology: IFS not only for marginal and small farmer make sustainable production. As a resourceful farmers (big farmer) can fully utilize available technology to get greater benefit from it. Flow of money throughout the year induce acceptance phenomenon in farmers to adopt latest technology to get the work done easily with less time.
• Saving Energy: An alternative energy source can be established to reduce our dependence on fossil energy source within short time. From organic wastes available in the system, it can be utilized to generate biogas. It will be used at crisis time or when it requires.
• Meeting Fodder crisis: Due to effectively use of land, plantation of perennial or annual fodder crops or combination of it can make availability of feed for animal throughout the year. Some legumes fodder can fixed nitrogen in soil in terms of increasing soil fertility.By maintaining this much one can avoid fodder crisis in lean period.
• Solving Fuel and Timber Crisis: By linking of agro-Silviculture can avail fuel or timber without deteriorate of other components. This will also greatly help to keep forestation, preserving our natural ecosystem.
• Employment Generation: IFS provide enough scope to employ family labour round the year. By combing different enterprises would increase the labour requirement significantly and would help in reducing the problems of underemployment to a great extent.
• Agro-industries: When one of produce linked in IFS are increased to commercial level there is surplus value adoption leading to development of allied agro-industries.
• Increasing Input Efficiency: IFS provide good scope to use inputs in different component greater efficiency and benefit-cost ratio.

There are several climatic zones of India having different scope and perspectives for integrated farming. Different climatic zones of India are as follows:

Temperate:

This class of fruits grows successfully in cold regions where temperature falls below freezing point during winter. During the cold season, the trees shed their leaves and enter into rest period. For breaking this rest period or dormancy, a definite chilling period is required. This class includes fruits like apples, pears, walnut, almond, plums, cherries, peaches etc.

Tropical:

This class includes fruit crops which are unable to endure freezing temperatures, some of them being severally injured by even temperature somewhat above the freezing point. This class required hot and humid climate in summer and milder winter. It includes fruits like mango banana, pineapple, and cashew, Pomegranate, Guava, Amla and Chicku.

Sub – topical:

These classes of fruits grow mostly in plains where the climate is hot and comparatively dry and the winter is loss severe. It includes fruits like citrus papaya and fig.

Various important suggested models for different areas of India

1. Integrated farming models for northeastern hilly regions of  India
2. Integrated farming models for coastal regions of India
3. Integrated farming models for central India

Integrated farming models for northeastern hilly regions of India

This region consists of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Sikkim, Assam, and Tripura. Existing undulated terrain and dual effects of water are the main limiting constraint in storing/ concentration of runoff water.

Following integrated farming model will be suitable:

• Integrated Fish cum Pig farming
• Integrated Fish cum Duck Farming
• Integrated Fish Farming-Chicken
• Integrated Fish farming-cum-Cattle farming
• Integrated Fish farming-cum-Rabbit farming
• Integrated Fish farming-cum-Agriculture

 

Integrated farming models for coastal regions of India

This region has tropical type of climate. Indian coastal region consists of:

 

Following models are suitable for this region:

• Integrated Fish cum Duck Farming
• Integrated Fish Farming-Chicken
• Integrated Fish farming-cum-Cattle farming
• Integrated Fish farming-cum-Rabbit farming

Integrated Fish farming-cum-Agriculture

 

Integrated farming models for central and northern India

This region consists of Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

Following models are suitable for this region:

• Agriculture + livestock
• Agriculture + livestock + poultry
• Horticulture + fish culture + poultry
• Pig cum fish culture
• Agricultural + silvipasture
• Sericulture + fish culture
• fish culture + sericulture
• Agricultural(rice) + fish+ mushroom cultivation
• Agricultural + duckery + poultry
• Poultry + fish culture

 

Selection of ponds can be seasonal or perennial.

The perennial ponds which retain water throughout the year are selected for culture of table fish. The newly excavated ponds should be rectangular in shape and of manageable size (0.4 ha).

Construction of low cost water harvesting pond for IFS

Small ponds of sizes ranging from 0.01 – 0.10 ha with desired depth of 1.0 – 1.5 metre with side slopes of 1- 1.5 m can be developed. Figure shows water harvesting pond constructed and lined with 300 micron LDPE at KVK Aizawl. Since lined the pond base is treated with 3-5 cm layer soil (approx).

 

            Stocking:

The pond is stocked after the pond water gets properly detoxified. The stocking rates vary from 8000-8500 fingerlings per hectare (100m x100m) and a species ratio of 40% surface feeders, 20% column feeders, 30% bottom feeders and 10% macro vegetation feeder is preferred for high fish yields. Mixed culture of Indian Major carps can be taken up with species ratio of 40% surface feeders, 30% column feeders and 30% bottom feeders.

Examples of:

Surface feeder fishes: Catla (Gibelion catla),

Column feeder fishes: Rohu, Silver carp

Bottom feeder fishes: Murrail, Mrigal

Liming

Lime is applied @ 250-350kg/ha/yr depending upon the soil and water conditions. Half the quantity is applied before stocking the fish and the rest in 2-4 installments as and when necessary.

Periodical netting

Trial netting is done once a month to check the growth of fish. It also helps in timely detection of parasitic infection, if any.

Harvesting

Keeping in view the size attained, prevailing market rate and demand of fish in the local market, partial harvesting of fish is done. After harvesting partially, the stock replenished with the same number of fingerlings. Final harvesting is done after 12 months of rearing. Fish yields ranging from 6000-7000kg/ ha/yr is generally obtained whereas pigs attain slaughter size (70-80kg) within 6-7 months.

The system has obvious advantages:

The pond dikes provide space for erection of animal housing units. Pond water is used for cleaning the pigsties and for bathing the pigs.The system cannot be adopted in all parts of India due to religious consideration but it has special significance in the North Eastern Region as it can improve the socioeconomic status of weaker rural communities, especially the tribals who traditionally raise pigs at their backyards and fond of eating fish. They can take up fish-pig farming easily.

Integrated Fish cum Duck Farming

Raising ducks over fishponds fits very well with the fish polyculture system, as the ducks are highly compatible with cultivated fishes. 100-150 ducks are sufficient for 1 Hectare pond. The system is advantageous to farmers in many ways:

• Ducks keep water plants in check.
• Ducks loosen the pond bottom with their dabbling and help in release of nutrients from the soil which increases pond productivity.
• Ducks aerate the water while swimming; thus they have been biological aerators.
• Duck houses are constructed on pond dikes; hence, no additional land is required for duckery activities.
• Ducks get most of their total feed requirements from the pond in the form of aquatic weeds, insects, larvae, earthworms, etc. They need very little feed, and farmers normally give kitchen wastes, molasses and rice bran, for the purpose.

 

Integrated Fish farming-cum-Cattle farming

Cattle dung, urine as well as the washing of cattle shed has superb manurial value. The waste cattle fodder can also be utilized as fish feed. The cattle shed can be constructed on the widen embankment of fish pond itself, so the waste and washing are directly drained into the fish pond. 5-6 cattle will suffice for 1.0 ha pond.

Integrated Fish farming-cum-Rabbit farming

In rabbit-fish integration, rabbit-house is built alongside the embankments so that the wastes and washings are drained directly into the pond. The excreta provided by 300-400 rabbits is sufficient to fertilize 1.0 ha of pond. Fish yields to the tune of 3500 to 4000 kg are obtained by stocking 15,000 fingerlings/year/ha.

Integrated Fish farming-cum-Agriculture:

Fish farming-cum-Horticulture farming: Generally, to meet the daily needs of fruits for a family of 4-5 members a land space of about 200 m2 is needed. Normally, embankments of a fish pond provide more than 200 m2 area. Pond bunds account for 25 to 33% of farm area.

Fish farming-cum- Vegetable farming

Usually a land space of  200 sq.m. is needed for kitchen gardening and embankments of a fish pond provide more area than this. In a year, two crops of vegetables can be grown. The vegetables which are considered ideal for growing on pond embankments are bitter guard, lady’s finger, bottle gourd, brinjal, lobia, cucumber, french beans, pumpkin, tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, palak, etc.

 

Conclusion: 

A well-known method of farming is an integrated farming system. Both crop production and animal raising involve. Although most appropriate, this isn’t always the case, integrated farming is primarily associated with heavily urbanized areas.

The integrated farming system produces significant financial gains and considers an effective farming technique. The small-holding farmers in the area currently use a family farming system, but there are always integrations occurring at various levels. It improves food security.

Additionally, the approach aids in the diversification of farm production for disadvantaged small farmers who have limited areas for livestock and food production. This kind of agricultural technique boosts financial gain, enhances the quality and output of food, and makes better use of underutilized resources.

There are always integrations at different levels in the existing family farming system practiced by the small holding farmers in the region. Better food security, moreover, the system help poor small farmers, who have very small land holding for crop production and a few heads of livestock to diversify farm production, increase cash income, improve quality and quantity of food produced and exploitation of unutilized resources.

Note: Photos are taken from internet for information purpose only. Author does not commit it to be his own.

DR RK BHUEYA,OUAT

Guidelines_on_promotion_IFC_under_DAY_NRLM

IFS MODEL

Integrated Farming System Model