Climate-Resilient Integrated Farming System (IFS) Models for Enhancing Farmers Income in the Western Gangetic Plains

Abstract

Climate-resilient integrated farming systems (IFS) may improve the stability of farm income by combining complementary crop, livestock, fodder, horticultural, agroforestry, and composting enterprises. This study documented and assessed two farmer-led IFS models in the Western Gangetic Plains: a rice–wheat-based model in Nuh district, Haryana, and a sugarcane-based model in Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh. A case-study approach was used, supported by personal interviews, observation, documentation, and purposive sampling. Enterprise-level costs, gross returns, net returns, benefit–cost ratios, and employment generation were assessed and aggregated at farm level. The 5.4-ha rice–wheat-based model integrated field crops, sorghum fodder, dairy farming, and vermicomposting. It recorded a total cultivation cost of Rs 345,830, gross income of Rs 1,079,000, net income of Rs 733,170, a benefit–cost ratio of 3.12, and 400 person-days of employment. The 2.6-ha sugarcane-based model integrated sugarcane, banana, sorghum fodder, dairy farming, poplar-based agroforestry, and vermicomposting. It recorded a total cost of Rs 463,678, gross income of Rs 889,450, net income of Rs 425,772, a benefit–cost ratio of 1.90, and 699 person-days of employment. The findings indicate that enterprise diversification and internal resource linkages can support farm income and employment. However, the results are specific to the selected farms and do not directly quantify climate resilience or environmental outcomes.