Sustainable livelihood through agro-forestry and livestock based integrated farming system in rainfed alfisols of Southern Transitional Zone (STZ) of Karnataka

Abstract

The Southern Transitional Zone (STZ no.7) of Karnataka is characterized dry sub-humid to semi -arid climate with an annual rainfall of 600-1000 mm. Nearly 70% of the total cropped area of 7.3 lakh ha is under rainfed farming consisting > 80% of small and marginal farmers. FCV tobacco is the major commercial crop grown in this belt followed by cotton, maize, finger millet and rabi pulses. Even though the growing conditions are congenial for production of various arable crops and dry land horicture, the lack of scientific land use system/diversified farming is greatly affecting the sustainable farm/animal productivity as well as the stability of the farm income in this rainfed ecosystem. Considering the resource availability, crop diversity and socio economic conditions of this zone, a diversified farming system in 1.0 acre model with an integration of various components was developed and evaluated at CTRI Research Station, Hunsur during 2005-06 to 2009-10. The model comprised of the Agro-forestry systems (Agri-horti system and Silvipasture systems), Cropping systems and Subsidiary enterprises involving livestock, vegetable farming and manure production units. Rain water harvesting structures for providing life/supplemental irrigation and border tree plantation with silver oak and jatropha as live fence for favourable micro-climate were established. The economic evaluation of the model for the five years period has been very promising with a revenue generation of Rs. 20,584/= from one acre area with a C: B ratio of 2.83. The five years study has revealed that livelihood income as well as total farm productivity of the small and marginal farmers could be sustained and further enhanced by adopting suitable integrated farming system involving agro-forestry, livestock enterprises and other subsidiary components with the cropping system practices of the area in this rainfed environment of the STZ of Karnataka.