Agriculture in India and other Asian countries is facing multiple and complex challenges which are expected to become more severe with the passage of time. Some of the major challenges are sustainability of natural resources, impact of climate change and decline in factor of productivity. Besides, the declining trend in size of land holding poses a serious challenge to the profitability and sustainability of farming. In view of the decline in per capita availability of land, it is imperative to develop strategies and agricultural technologies that enable adequate employment and income generation, especially for small-holders (farmers with <2.0 ha of land) who constitute the vast majority of the farming community in the developing world. No single farm enterprise, such as a typical mono-cropping system, is likely to be able to sustain the small holder farmer.
Integrated farming systems (IFS) are less risky if managed efficiently, as they benefit from synergisms among enterprises, diversity in produce, and environmental soundness. On this basis, IFS have been suggested for the development of small and marginal farms across Asia, and researchers have developed strategies which have benefited small-holder farmers by providing additional income and employment and minimizing risk. However, these IFS have not been promulgated and promoted effectively. The present review helps to remedy this by providing comprehensive information on the concepts and advantages of IFS for small-holder farmers, which is lacking at present. The review covers the key literature on farming systems and allied aspects published over the period 1970–2015.
Integrated farming system is a farming system that combines two or more fields of agriculture, which is based on the recycling biological concept, and linked of input-output between the mutually commodities which approach of low external input utilization, which is done on the land, through the utilization of crop waste, animal manure, fish waste for the purpose of increasing the production and productivity so as to increase farmer income and can create condition that are environmentally friendly farming. The development of the integrated farming system is very important, because the integrated farming system has many usages and advantages and benefits in line with the objectives of the regional development that to improve the social welfare. It can be a solution for the various problems that arise in the regional development. Rice and Cattle Integration System is a rice farming system that is integrated with cattle where there is a reciprocal relationship. Rice plants provide straw and bran for cattle as feed and cattle produce feces that is useful for rice plants as organic fertilizer, so that it can increase the production and productivity of rice and cattle and can increase farmers’ income. Implementation of rice and cattle integration system could increase the use family labor, reduced the use of inorganic fertilizers, reduced production costs, and can increase rice farming income and cattle business income.
Created By :- Banirupa Patra