INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE RURAL LIVELIHOOD OF SMALL AND MARGINAL FARMERS OF ARID AND SEMI-ARID REGIONS OF HYDERABAD KARNATAKA

Abstract

The research conducted on farming systems in India and other regions has provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by small and marginal farmers and their surrounding environment. By vertically integrating various agricultural enterprises such as crops, vegetables, livestock, horticulture, forestry, and fodder, and incorporating innovations in science and technology within a well-planned cropping pattern, optimal utilization of on-farm resources has significantly increased overall farm production and productivity. In the North Eastern Transitional Zone (Zone-1) and North Eastern Dry Zone (Zone-2) of the Hyderabad Karnataka Region, this integrated approach was put into practice through the "Integrated Farming System for Sustainable Livelihood – An UAS Dharwad Approach" project, which was funded by the Karnataka government, between 2010 and 2011. Using the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) technique, a total of 83 farm families were identified, and their farming situations were thoroughly analyzed and documented. This information served as the foundation for redesigning farming activities to create customized Integrated Farming System (IFS) modules. The tangible outcomes and quantified benefits of this initiative are as follows: Significant increases in mean productivity were observed, with a 19% improvement in cereals, 27% in pulses, 15% in oilseeds, and 14% in commercial crops. Maize demonstrated the highest Sustainable Yield Index (0.86) among field crops, while ridge gourd achieved the highest Sustainable Yield Index (0.85) among vegetable crops. The introduction of IFS resulted in an incremental Benefit-Cost ratio (B:C) of 3.46, indicating enhanced economic security among the 83 farm families. The integration of various enterprises led to a notably higher Sustainable Value Index compared to individual enterprises. The adoption of labor-saving equipment, such as saral kurupi, improved sickles, cycle weeders, and rakes, resulted in significant reductions in drudgery (27.62%, 47.16%, 25.41%, and 40.11%, respectively), translating into labor cost savings ranging from Rs. 1095 to 1799 per hectare. Whole-farm net returns increased from Rs. 1,26,777 to 2,00,988 between the base year of 2009-10 and the assessment year of 2011-12, thanks to the implementation of IFS. The enhanced economic security for farm households and the beneficial effects of the technologies were demonstrated by the improved B:C ratio of 3.46.Food consumption patterns showed increases in the consumption of milk, cereals, vegetables, and eggs, contributing to improved nutritional security. The project generated an additional 29 man-days of employment per farm, addressing employment security concerns. Overall, the project's successes greatly improved the food, economic, and livelihood security of farm families in Hyderabad, Karnataka's Zones 1 and 2, which include both arid and transitional areas.