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Integrated Farming System: Trends, Advantages and Constraints - A review

By Belal Ahmad Mujahed, Janardan Singh and Abdullah Saqib | 05-01-2024 | Page: 65-69

Abstract

The average sizes of landholdings have declined from 2.28 ha in 1970-71 to 1.08 ha in 2021. With the growing population and shrinking resources, horizontal expansion of cropping area is no more feasible. Vertical expansion, through integrating farming components necessitates economic and sustainable crop production. Integrated farming systems (IFS) involves linking together two or more normally separate components or enterprises which then become subsystems of a whole farming system. The integration of mono-crop farms with agro- forestry, fisheries and animal husbandry can play significant role for the better utilisation of resources, enhancing farm household income and security of the farmers. Recycling of farm wastes generated in this system has reduced the use of chemical fertilizers thereby minimized health and environmental hazards. Hence, to maximize the efficiency of modern agricultural technology and to bring sustainability in the integrated farming systems, use of the renewable source of energy input should be maximised to lower down the non-renewable sources of energy inputs. However, according to farmers, lack of animal feed and unavailability of labour in needy times are the major production constraints in IFS. Module development on the basis of farmer’s need through on -farm testing is necessary by substituting lower profitable components with higher ones, depending upon choice of the farmers and availability of market. The farming system provides flow of capital round the year by way of disposal of milk, eggs, honey, edible mushroom, meat, etc. Moreover, generation of biogas can be utilized for household energy requirement. Thus, popularisation of IFS should be promoted and any help needed to be extended to farmers for its successful adoption.

Keywords

Integrated Farming System, Concept, Advantages and Constraints

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