Evaluation of Integrated Farming System Model for Resource Recycling and Livelihood Security of Small and Marginal Farmers of Telangana State, India

Abstract

Integrated farming system (IFS) model comprising the components like crop, horticulture, diary, sheep and poultry rearing was undertaken at All India Coordinated Project on Integrated farming system, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad from 2010-11 onwards. Holistic integration of animals with crops in 1 ha area resulted in a total productivity of 36.4 t REY ha-1 with the benefit cost ratio of 0.85 and net income of Rs.2,97,770/- with the total operational expenditure of Rs.3,48,796/- compared to that of an average farmers’ net income of Rs. 52,000 in Southern Telangana Zone of Telangana state in addition to generation of 602 man days of employment in the system. Out of this total net income, 54.02% returns from crop component including fodder, 10.43% returns from horticulture component and 31.9% from livestock unit, were recorded in the present model of Crop-Livestock-Horticulture along with production of diverse needs of farm family viz., cereals, pulses, oil seeds, fruits, vegetable, milk, meat and fodder for cattle. Through residue recycling and manure production 11.47 t of FYM, 70 kg of LPG equivalent gas and 1.81 t of biogas slurry were generated  which is equal to 91-42-75 kg of N, P and K and saved worth of Rs 12133/-. Continuous use of crop residues and manures through residue recycling over these years helped improving the soil fertility of the unit with perceptible improvement in organic carbon from an initial status of 0.35% in ID block to 0.53%.  Integrated farming system approach recorded 37.7 and 52.2 per cent higher productivity and profitability, respectively over conventional rice-groundnut system.