Participatory evaluation of choice and combination of enterprises for integrated farming system under dry-land and irrigated agro-ecosystems

Abstract

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra Sutur, Mysore, has developed 6 integrated farming system (IFS models), 3 each un- der dryland and irrigated farming situations, between 2012 and 2015. The models were analyzed using case- study approach to draw principles of enterprise combination. The average number of enterprizes for 3 dryland models, sericulture, horticulture and cotton (Gossypium sp.)-- based IFS, during base year and after 3 years was 3 and 13, respectively; it was 6 and 14, respectively, for the 3 irrigated models, organic horticulture, sericulture and agro-forestry-based IFS. The maximum annual net incomes under dryland in the base year were from agriculture ( 49,600/ha), coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) ( 39,800) and sericulture ( 16,700/ha); after 3 years, the order changed to coconut ( 46,000), sericulture ( 30,900) and agriculture ( 16,600). Under irrigated condition higher net returns in the base year came from coconut ( 94,000/ha), horticulture ( 42,300/ha) and vegetables ( 40,000/ ha), which changed after 3 years to coconut ( 1,34,500/ha), sericulture ( 81,400/ha) and silviculture ( 77,600/ ha). However, the maximum benefit: cost ratio under dry farming was from forage crops and goat/sheep rearing followed by vermicomposting, implying short-duration low-investment enterprises complemented the core enterprizes, coconut and sericulture. On the contrary, under irrigated farming system, the maximum profitability was in silviculture, coconut and goat/sheep rearing, indicating long-duration enterprises acting as supplementary enterprizes offered better returns. The results revealed that the choice of enterprises, their combination and contri- bution to the improvement of system productivity differed for dryland and irrigated farming systems but IFS en- abled the systems more productive, profitable and sustainable under both the situations.