Sustainable livelihood security of small farmers improved through resilient farming systems in the Semi-Arid Region of India

Abstract

Improving the farming systems to attain the household level self-sufficiency, land utilization efficiency and sustainable livelihood security depends on the better socio-economic and ecological aspects of the systems practiced by the small farmers in the semi-arid regions. The higher sustainable livelihood security index (SLSI) in integrated crops-livestock system helps to restore economical and ecological sustainability. The aim of this study was to analyze how various modules of farming in different combinations have interacted with the diversification of existing systems on ecological security index (ESI), economic efficiency index (EEI), and social equity index (SEI) for providing SLSI of improved integrated farming system (IFS) compared with benchmark farming under semi-arid regions. In this study, different existing IFS comprising of seven modules (field crops, dairy, goatery, poultry, horticulture, fishery and apiary) in different combinations were studied. Results revealed that 72.5% farmers preferred to integrate two modules, where 95% of farmers adopted field crops + dairy (FC + D) than other modules. The sustainability indicators like ESI ( + 43.3%), EEI ( + 16.0%), SEI ( + 11.6%), and SLSI ( + 6.0%) were improved in FC + D farming system than other IFS module combinations. Similarly, improved IFS interventions also increased sustainability indicators over benchmark farming. Based on large scale household studies over five years, our findings suggest that the improved IFS succeeded in providing a wider array of livelihood security than existing practices. Hence, the paradigm shift from component approach to an IFS based resilient system that is economically viable, environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable are needed for development of semi-arid regions.