Region Specific Synthesized Integrated Farming System Models for Improved Production, Profitability and Nutrition

Abstract

In order to overcome the above lacunae in the present system, Integrated Farming systems with location specific need based integration of components/enterprises are essential to meet the very basic objectives of IFS. Integration of components such as crops, horticulture, dairy, poultry, goatary, aquaculture, apiary etc. can be done for improving the production, profitability, employment and nutrition in a sustainable way. I am very happy to note that ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram is working in this direction through AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems. Since, establishment of IFS model and its evaluation requires more time and resources, synthesis of IFS models using the primary (characterization survey), secondary data (published records) and experiences of on-station and on-farm research experiments is an option to develop region specific efficient IFS models. The authors of bulletin have developed and described a methodology for synthesizing models based on which 29 IFS models suitable for 14 agro climatic regions have been synthesized and presented in the bulletin. I am sure, the bulletin will be highly useful for researchers, students, planners, development and extension agencies involved in promotion of farming systems and development of bankable projects for economic growth of farming community.