Farm Integration Research Articles

Assessing Stakeholders’ Preferences for Future Rice Farming Practices in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Rice farming is the dominating agriculture activity in the Mekong Delta and has been of significant importance for the region’s economic development, but it has also had an impact on the environment. Recent governmental policies emphasize the need for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture; however, policy reforms pushing for transformation towards sustainable socio-agricultural systems are compounded by a lack of coherent and shared visions. Gaps between policy making and implementation and stakeholders’ divergent visions of what is meant by sustainable agriculture and how that can be achieved hinder progress. To address this, the Q-methodology was used to elucidate and integrate different perspectives from 41 stakeholders on 35 statements related to agriculture developments in the Mekong Delta. Under the theoretical lens of sustainability, and ecosystem services, the results unveiled four major development schemes, namely production through intensification, sustainable intensification, production through nature, and people and nature in balance. The majority of the stakeholders in this study believed that future agriculture strategies in the Mekong Delta should be designed to promote more diverse and integrated farming methods, emphasizing the environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development. They acknowledged the multifunctional benefits of rice field ecosystems and emphasized the importance of supporting, regulating, and cultural ecosystem services for a long-term and healthy production of food and increased resilience of the Delta’s social-ecological systems.

The Indian Situation of Livestock Farming & Planetary Boundaries

The crucial thing about livestock farming is that it should not affect local, regional and global human life and environment in any way. The planetary boundaries (PB) that affect us all are – ozone depletion, loss of biosphere integrity, chemical pollution, release of novel entities into the atmosphere, climate change, ocean acidification, freshwater depletion, changes in global hydrological cycle, and the land system change. Scientists note that beyond these PB, we cannot push earth systems. In India, the situation is not yet that alarming, but steps need be initiated now to control them, as the local/regional entities affect the global PB. For India, crucial are lowering per capita consumption and achieving a more equitable distribution of access to resources among people. With respect to livestock farming important aspects are land use pattern, drinking water, greenhouse gas production, climate change and bio-physical consumption. And there are worrying aspects of costs of achieving this. Some suggested steps needed with respect to livestock farming are – resorting to soil and eco friendly farming that puts less demands on resources; use of indigenous livestock breeds and varieties with higher capacity to withstand harsh conditions; interventions to reduce enteric emissions by ruminants; improved quality of dry fodders using modern technologies; better use of dung, urine and left-over fodder; use of time-tested manure products like Panchagavya; encouraging mixed, diversified and integrated farming systems to reduce wastes; reduce water usage by and on livestock farms; and many-fold improvement of health care, extension, supplies and marketing to benefit small farmers..

Effect of plant population density of black maize on plant growth, baby-corn yield, and biomass

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of black maize plant population density on plant growth, baby-corn yield, and biomass. The research was carried out from September to November 2021 on the plot of the Merang Mushroom Center and Integrated Farming of Lestari Makmur, Kepuhan Hamlet, Argorejo, Sedayu, Bantul, Yogyakarta with vertisol soil type and an altitude of 87.5 meters above sea level. The plant population density implemented in the number of plants per hole, namely 1, 2, 3, and 4 plants per hole, was tested using Completely Randomized Block Design with 3 replications. Each experimental unit measuring 3m × 3.5m with a plant spacing of 75cm × 25cm. Maintenance of experimental plants following the standard recommendations for corn cultivation. Cow manure 15 tons ha−1 was sown before planting, while NPK fertilizer of 300 kg ha was given 2 times on 2 and 4 weeks after planting, by making a whole, put fertilizer in, then covered with soil again. Detasseling was done before the tassels bloom. Baby corn was harvested up to maximum of 6 days after the ears appear. Biomass was harvested by cutting the plant stand after all baby-corn had been harvested. The observed variables were plant height (cm), number of leaves (strands), stem diameter (mm), days to tasseling (days after planting), fresh and dry weight of plant (g), weight and diameter of ears, baby corn yield ha−1, and biomass yield ha−1. Data collected were analized by analysis of variance and DMRT at α= 5%. The results showed that the population density of black maize had an effect on stem diameter, plant fresh weight, baby-corn yield, and biomass yield per hectare. The largest stem diameter at a population density of 1 plant/hole. The yield of baby-corn per hectare was highest at a density of 3 or 4 plants per hole, and the highest biomass yield per hectare was at a density of 4 plants per hole. The weight, length, and diameter of baby-corn did not differ at various population densities.

Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock Integrated Farming Systems for Small and Marginal Farmers: A Case Study of Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Indian economy heavily depends on agriculture and livestock. Integration of livestock with crop provide scope for effective utilization of byproducts which assures the profitability of the farming system. Integrated farming system approach is required to enhance the living standards of small and marginal farmers. A study was conducted on ‘Sustainable livelihoods for small and marginal farmers through agriculture and livestock activities – A study of farming systems in Kurnool district’ with an objective to identify profitable and sustainable farming systems under major farming situations of Kurnool district. The results revealed that the farming systems with one or more livestock components were found profitable. The economic sustainability of the faming systems was evolved through Sustainability Value Index (SVI). 3 out of 5 farming systems in the rainfed black soils were found sustainable. But only one farming system in rainfed red soils was found sustainable and none of the farming systems in irrigated black soils were found sustainable. The results of the study are useful for small and marginal farmers to adopt the suitable farming system.

An intelligent protection scheme for series-compensated transmission lines connecting large-scale wind farms

Series-compensated transmission lines (SCTLs) are increasingly preferred for transmitting bulk amounts of electricity generated from the present-day large-scale wind farm to the utility grid due to several technical and economic benefits. However, when a fault occurs in such a wind farm-integrated SCTL, the impedance across the metal oxide varistor (MOV)-protected series capacitor varies non-linearly. Also, the fault current contributed from the wind farm side is quite different compared to the grid side. Consequently, the widely used fixed impedance-based distance relaying schemes showed limitations when used for protecting such crucial TLs. In this paper, the impacts of series compensation and wind farm integration on distance relay are investigated, and this paper proposes an intelligent relaying scheme using only the current measurements. In the proposed scheme, the fault detection task is performed using the signs of the half-cycle magnitude differences of the line end positive-sequence currents, and the fault classification task is performed using only the local current measurements processed through the Fourier–Bessel series expansion (FBSE) bagging ensemble (BE) classifier. The non-stationary components present in the current signal at the initiation of a fault are captured by calculating FBSE coefficients, and the singular value decomposition is applied for dimensionality reduction of the feature set. Finally, the extracted features are used by the BE classifier for fault classification. The method is evaluated in MATLAB/Simulink® on numerous fault and non-fault data simulated in two-bus systems and also validated through the OPAL-RT (OP4510) manufactured real-time digital simulation platform. The obtained results (response time for fault detection and classification <10 ms), including the comparative assessment results (fault detection accuracy =100% and fault classification accuracy =99.37%), justify the effectiveness of the proposed relaying scheme in protecting the wind farm-integrated SCTLs.

Vulnerability and ecosystem-based adaptation in the farming communities of droughtprone Northwest Bangladesh

Agriculture is sensitive to climate change as it depends on temperature and rainfall patterns for crop production. Though Bangladesh's recent growth in its agriculture sector is remarkable, the farmer community living in the northwest region of Bangladesh faces drought every year that negatively affects agriculture, ecology, and society. However, studies focusing on farmer communities' vulnerability to drought and adaptation options through a social-ecological lens are limited. The present study used a framework that combines social-ecological vulnerability (i.e., exposure, sensitivity, and lack of resilience) and ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) strategies and linked them with risk governance (i.e., organization, planning, and implementation) to understand social-ecological risk and adaptation. Data was collected through 50 in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions with the farmer communities of the Tanore sub-district of Rajshahi district, Bangladesh. We found that increased temperature, lack of water availability, change in rainfall pattern, and limited availability of drought-resilient crop seeds increased farmers’ vulnerability to drought. Farmers were shifting from traditional farming practices to more ecosystem-based, integrated farming practices that are less climate-sensitive. Combined agriculture, selecting drought-tolerant rice varieties, and shifting cropping patterns were some strategies that farmers adopted to address risks. However, the adaptation of these strategies was not well-governed. Farmers opined some strategies that could be initiated at the organization (e.g., local government support), planning (e.g., planning farming skill development), and implementation (e.g., restoring water bodies) levels to help the community to reduce risk. The study would aid in framing governance measures to reduce vulnerability and risk in agriculture-dominated social-ecological systems.

Amplification of Small and Marginal Farmers Income through Integrated Farming Systems

India is a farming country, and agriculture is the primary source of income for most Indian households. Monocropping is used by the majority of small and marginal farmers. Low yields, low income, a late monsoon, pest and disease concerns, and other risk factors are all linked. Integrated farming systems (IFS), or the integration of many crops and enterprises, are the current day's answer to increasing income. With the growing demand for animal products and decreasing in land, which reflects in the reduction of feed, such as grain deposits are used properly. It is clear that the Integrated Farming System (IFS) focuses on enhancing farmer profitability by improving and integrating properties, reusing wastes, and reducing chemical dependency. One of the changes in farming standards is improvement. Because monocropping entails a high level of risk for a little yield, the issues include low income. Paddy, fish, maize, stew, feed grass, dairy, and poultry are among the units to support the enterprise. It has been established that the expansion of agribusiness leads to an increase in farmer efficiency within the development zone, as well as a reduction in human resources. Diversification in the cropping systems and integrated farming systems are very beneficial for enhancing income for livelihoods and socioeconomic status.

The Specific Accounting of the Group of Manufacturers Functional in the Agricultural Cooperative

Romania is one of the best endowed European countries from the point of view of agricultural lands. Provided they are exploited correctly, they may contribute to real progresses concerning the reduction of rural poverty and the economic development. The increase of competitiveness in the agricultural sector can be significantly speeded up by the balanced development of the relations between the agricultural manufacturers and their association in view of the market capitalization of qualitatively and quantitatively adequate agricultural products and adapted to the market requirements. The integration of farmers on the market and in the value chain and granting financial support for starting an economic activity are subject to the national legislation setting up the operational and acknowledgment framework of the groups of producers aiming to jointly trade the agricultural products of the members and contributes to their awareness with regard to the advantages resulted from a collective action.

High Occurrence of Multiple-Drug Resistance Mediated by Integron in Aeromonas Isolated from Fish-Livestock Integrated Farms

Fish-livestock integrated farming is a traditional practice in South China and Southeast Asia. The administration of antimicrobial agents in livestock may potentially facilitate the spread of antimicrobial resistance to aquaculture through the drainage of livestock manure. Aeromonas spp. are fish pathogens that are the predominant bacteria in water bodies. The aim of this study was to characterize multiple-drug-resistantAeromonas spp. isolated from integrated and nonintegrated fish-livestock farms and to investigate the occurrence of class 1 integrons. Of the 481 Aeromonas strains examined in this study, isolates from pig manure, fish, and environmental samples from pig-fish or goose-fish integrated farms were significantly more resistant to various antimicrobial agents than those from nonintegrated farms P < 0.05 . High rates of resistance to nalidixic acid and sulfamonomethoxine were observed in the isolates from the integrated farm. Fifty Aeromonas isolates (10.4%) from integrated farms contained class 1 integrons. In addition, 96.0% (48/50) of the integron-positive strains displayed multiple-drug resistance. Ten types of gene cassette arrays were determined by sequencing, including dfrA17, dfrA12-orfF-aadA2, catB8, dfrB4-catB3-aadA1, aac6(6′)-Ib-cr-arr-3, aac-II-blaOXA-21-catB3, aar2-aacA4-drfA1-orfC, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, dfrA15, and dfrB4-catB3-blaOXA-10-aadA1. Notably, among the 50 integron-positive isolates, twenty isolates showed integrons located in plasmids, which may facilitate the transmission of resistance in integrated farms. Our investigation confirmed the high prevalence of multiple antimicrobial resistances mediated by class 1 integrons in Aeromonas isolates from integrated farms. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a risk assessment method for antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture.

Serological Detection of Toxoplasma gondii among Free-Grazing Ducks from Central and Western Thailand-A One Health Perspective on Integrated Farming.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common zoonotic parasitic diseases infecting nearly all warm-blooded animals, including poultry (geese, turkeys, chickens, and ducks). It is caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), which is an obligate intracellular protozoan belonging to the Apicomplexa group. In Thailand, duck meat production for domestic consumption and international trade is mainly bred and produced in the central and western parts of the country. Free-grazing ducks in integrated duck-rice production have significant benefits in rice cultivation, accounting for the popularity of this farming system in Thailand. However, ducks are considered particularly susceptible to consuming T. gondii oocysts from water contaminated with cat feces due to the fact of their feeding habits of free-grazing and dabbling. Hence, the prevalence of this zoonotic parasite in a large-scale integrated farming context is particularly challenging with respect to the contamination of the food chain of humans and farm animals. In the present study, we examined the overall prevalence of T. gondii infection in slaughtered free-grazing ducks originating from Central and Western Thailand, setting the stage for an in-depth One Health approach to assess and manage the risks of integrated farming practices. A representative sample size of 161 ducks was calculated using a two-stage sampling method. Specifically, serum samples were collected from 217 slaughtered free-grazing ducks originating in six provinces in Central and Western Thailand. Serum antibodies against T. gondii were detected using an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The positive control serum samples were prepared from ducks experimentally immunized with T. gondii. Sixty-eight (31.3%) of the two hundred and seventeen ducks were seropositive with T. gondii. Two groups of fattening ducks and spent layers showed similar seropositivity rates at 29% and 32.3%, with the majority of positive samples being found in the low titer. In addition, a wide distribution of positive serum samples was observed in all six provinces in the present study. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a serological prevalence snapshot in commercially produced duck populations that have high interaction with farmed environments in Thailand, revealing a high infection pressure in areas of integrated duck-rice farming. Importantly, contaminated duck meat for commercial use, as well as offal and carcasses from slaughterhouses, completes the transmission of T. gondii from the environment into the food chain of humans and domestic animals. Hence, from a One Health perspective, it is important to clarify whether this transmission chain extends further to the wild, i.e., predator-prey cycles that are independent of duck farming or are self-contained.

The Marginal Abatement Cost of Antimicrobials for Dairy Cow Mastitis: A Bioeconomic Optimization Perspective

Maintaining udder health is the primary indication for antimicrobial use (AMU) in dairy production, and modulating this application is a key factor in decreasing AMU. Defining the optimal AMU and the associated practical rules is challenging since AMU interacts with many parameters. To define the trade-offs between decreased AMU, labor and economic performance, the bioeconomic stochastic simulation model DairyHealthSim (DHS)© was applied to dairy cow mastitis management and coupled to a mean variance optimization model and marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) analysis. The scenarios included three antimicrobial (AM) treatment strategies at dry-off, five types of general barn hygiene practices, five milking practices focused on parlor hygiene levels and three milk withdrawal strategies. The first part of economic results showed similar economic performances for the blanked dry-off strategy and selective strategy but demonstrated the trade-off between AMU reduction and farmers' workload. The second part of the results demonstrated the optimal value of the animal level of exposure to AM (ALEA). The MACC analysis showed that reducing ALEA below 1.5 was associated with a EUR 10,000 loss per unit of ALEA on average for the farmer. The results call for more integrative farm decision processes and bioeconomic reasoning to prompt efficient public interventions.

Evaluation of the Success of Forest Land Based on Geographic Information Systems, in Wonosalam District, Jombang Regency

The benefits of forests for life are not only for local communities living around forests, but also for global communities whose lives depend on forests as a resource that is able to provide various functions related to environmental management. The research aims to identify the potential of the Wonosalam forest area planned for UPN Integrated Farming & Forestry Tourism (UIFFT) - KHDTK Wonosalam in support of conservation policies by mapping forest areas based on land suitability characteristics and land availability suitable for KHDTK development. This type of research is survey research. and spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems. Location in this research was conducted in the Wonosalam Forest Area in Wonosalam District. Wonosalam District is located in Jombang Regency with an area of 121.63 km2. The results of the study can be concluded that 1. the results of the survey of regional characteristics and physical and chemical analysis of the soil for durian, clove and coffee plants have land suitability classes that are actually in accordance with marginal (S3eh) with a limiting factor on erosion hazard while for potential after experiencing improvements that are not overall permanent value obtained is quite appropriate (S2) with various limiting factors but most of the constraints on erosion hazard and land preparation. 2. The direction of forest area development in future research areas based on land suitability is an integrated farming forestry area with a technological approach, and plant suitability so that this area can become a center for research, innovation, education, training, empowerment and community assistance without compromising its function. forests as environmental conservationists in an integrated manner.

Effect of Additional Herbal Mix on Feed on Physical Quality of Broiler Meat

Physical characteristics or physical properties of meat include pH, cooking loss , and texture, while organoleptic qualities include color, taste, texture , and aroma. These factors will simultaneously determine the quality of meat in livestock . This study aims to determine the effect of giving a combination of herbs, mineral zinc, expired milk powder , and vitamin C on the physical quality of broiler meat. This research was conducted at the Samata Integrated Farming System (SIFS ), Jalan Veteran Bakung, Samata Village, Gowa Regency . Physical quality testing of meat was carried out at the Laboratory of Animal Products Technology, Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar. The research design used in this study was a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments and five replications, each replicat ion consisting of 2 broilers with treatment P0= c ommercial f eed (Control), P1 = commercial feed + 1% herb s , P2= commercial feed + 2% herbs and P3= commercial feed + 3% herbs. Meat sampling was carried out on day 35 for analysis of physical quality including pH value, cooking loss , and meat tenderness. Data analysis used analysis of variance (ANOVA) and continued with Duncan's test. The results showed that the addition of a combination of mixed herbs to broiler feed had a significant effect (P<0.05) on pH but had no significant effect (P>0.05) on cooking loss and meat tenderness. Duncan’s test results showed that the pH value with P0 treatment was significantly different (P<0.05) with P1, P2 , and P3. All the treatments with different percentages of the herbal mix did not show significant differentiation between them.

Implementation of Rainwater Harvesting Integrated Farming to realize Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

One of the SDGs elements related to the fulfillment of access to clean drinking water and sanitation must be achieved by the world community by 2030. The purpose of this research was to implement a rainwater harvesting system integrated with agriculture and livestock for alternative clean water needs in Jatikuwung Village. This research used the Research and Development (R&D) method. The model used in this research is the ADDIE model. This ADDIE model has 5 stages, namely (1) Analysis: analyzing the situation, (2) Design: designing for product design to be made, (3) Development: producing or making products, (4) Implementation: implementing of limited product testing in the field, and (5) Evaluation: evaluating the cycles and end-product. This research was conducted in Jatikuwung Village. This location experiences a water crisis during the dry season. The subject of this research was designing Rainwater Harvesting Integrated Farming by KKN-T students in Jatikuwung village. The object of this research is the process of Rainwater Harvesting Integrated Farming flow that can be utilized in life. This research was conducted in October-November 2022 and was limited to the development stage. The results of this research were rainwater harvesting integrated farming through a rainwater harvesting system that produced clean water. This system can be useful for life integrated with catfish farms that get food from maggots, and water in catfish flows to plants.

Mina Padi farmers’ adapting strategy in dealing with the climate change

The extreme climate change can result in long dry season or high rainfall, thereby can affect water supply. Water supply highly influences paddy and fish productivity in Mina Padi (paddy-fish integration farming system) pattern. This research aims to analyze the Mina Padi farmers’ adapting strategy in dealing with climate change and the effect of adapting strategy on paddy and fish productivity. The research took place in Mina Padi area of Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java. This research employed a qualitative method with descriptive analysis. The informant of research consisted of farmers and extension officers selected using purposive sampling technique. The result of research shows that the Mina Padi farmers’ adapting strategy in dry season includes closing caren, the channel made in the deepest part of farming lot (the fish pond is concentrated in the front part of farm). The quality of production with caren is better than that without it. Paddy will not be attacked by pest when there is caren, because pest will be preyed directly by fish. The number of fish sowed is the same when there is and there is no Caren, but qualitatively the fish develop more rapidly than those concentrated in the pond only.

Productivity, profitability and soil sustainability of small-holding farming system through suitable cropping systems

A field experiment was conducted at the Centre for Research on Integrated Farming Systems, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, during 2016–17 to 2018–19, to study the effect of different cropping system as component of small-holding farming systems of North Gujarat. Total 8 cropping systems were evaluated based on system productivity, system profitability and possible viability. The pooled result of 3 years experiments indicated that, pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]–potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)– groundnut (Arachis hypgaea L.) cropping system recorded significantly higher groundnut-equivalent yield (8.65 t/ ha) and same trend was observed in cropping sequences for system productivity (23.70 kg/ha/day), system profitability (` 613/ha/day) and net profit (` 223,610/ha), which was at par with groundnut– potato–pearlmillet (` 203,605/ha) and Bt. cotton (HDP) (Gossypium sp.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–fodder sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] (` 192,540/ha) cropping sequence. The crop sequence castor (Ricinus communis L.)-all in greengram [Vigna radiate (L.) R. Wilczek] recorded the highest benefit : cost ratio (1.83), while Bt. cotton + sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) (incorporation at flowering stage)-castor–bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) generated the maximum employment generation (303 man-days/year), followed by Bt. cotton (HDP) + wheat–fodder sorghum (259 man-days/year).

Effects of triazole plant growth regulators on molting mechanism in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

Rice crab co-culture is a new integrated farming model in China. The application of triazole plant growth regulators (PRGs) is often used as an advantageous option to combat rice lodging. However, there is still a gap regarding the toxicity of these PRGs on the growth and development of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis, E. sinensis). Here the effect of triazoles (paclobutrazol and uniconazole) on the molting mechanism of E. sinensis was investigated. Monitoring of regulatory genes associated with molting showed that the two PRGs were found to inhibit the expression of ecdysteroid hormone (EH), ecdysteroid receptors gene (EcR), and retinoid X receptors gene (RXR) and induce secretion of molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) gene. In addition, the activities of chitinase (CHIA) and N-acetyl-β-d-aminoglucosidase (β-NAGase) were also inhibited by exposure to PRGs. Exposure to PRGs also elevated the mRNA expression of the growth-related myostatin gene (MSTN). These results revealed that there is a long-term risk of exposure to triazoles PRGs that may inhibit molting and affect normal development and immune system of E. sinensis.

Factors implementing sustainable circular economy in agro-produce supply chain: DEMATEL-DANP-based approach

PurposeThe sustainable and circular growth of agro-produce is crucial in today's era. The current paper focuses on identifying the drivers which promote sustainability as well as circularity in the agro-produce supply chain and favor its implementation in agro-produce supply chain.Design/methodology/approachDrivers are identified by carrying out a brief literature review and then short-listed based on the expert's opinion. The crucial drivers identified are then categorized into four groups, i.e. farms, social, government and organization. A DEMATEL-DANP approach is used to analyze the relation among subfactors and factors by deriving network relations map. Further, the weights of each subfactor are measured followed by calculating the ranks of the drivers in significance with successful implementation of sustainable circular economy.FindingsThis study has applied DEMATEL-DANP approach to analyze the relationship among four factors and twelve sub factors and their contribution towards adopting the culture of sustainable circular economy in agro-produce supply chain. The results show that “Integration of farmers” and “Updated infrastructure and tools of the farm to promote diverse farming” are primary drivers for implementing SCE in APSC.Originality/valueThe research explored the domains of sustainability and circularity separately. Drivers that could accelerate the implementation of circularity in agro-produce in a sustainable manner were identified. This will help in designing sustainable circular model for working of the agro-produce supply chain.

Development of a successful IFS model for livelihood sustenance of small households of Uttar Pradesh

An experiment was conducted at research farm of ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Uttar Pradesh during 2016–17 to 2018–19 to develop integrated farming systems (IFS) model which has diverse commodities/components, viz. crops (1.04 ha), dairy (2 Murrah buffaloes and 1 Gir cow), horticulture (0.22 ha), fishery (0.1 ha), mushroom (0.02 ha), poultry (10 birds), vermicompost unit (0.02 ha), kitchen garden (0.002 ha) and boundary plantation with fruit trees (200 m in running length). The total productivity of all cropping sequences surged up to 124.96 tonnes/1.04 ha/year when yields of the whole system were transformed into sugarcane equivalent yield (SEY). Gross and net returns from crop components of IFS model were obtained in the extent of `282×103/1.04 ha/ year and `199×103/1.04 ha/year and B:C ratio 3.37. The overall farm product of all components in the form of SEY was 246.95 tonnes/1.5 ha/year and 164.63 tonnes/ha/year. Similarly, gross return from involving all components of IFS model was erected at `777×103/1.5 ha/year and `518×103/ha/year and net return `491×103/1.5 ha/year and `328 × 103/ha/year with B:C ratio of 3.37 for the entire IFS model. Given total availability of farm-based waste (19950 kg/ year) was recycled within the system in the form of compost, vermicompost (VC), crops residues, litter falls, weeds and green manure (GM). As regards to livelihood security, the IFS approach had adapted to meet the homegrown family needs of cereals, pulses, oils, fruits, milk, meat, eggs and vegetables.

Exploring The Level of Livelihood Security of The Farmers Adopted Integrated Farming System in West Bengal

The present study was conducted at three blocks of Cooch Behar district in West Bengal due to the availability of farmers adopted the Integrated farming system for securing their livelihoods. A multistage, purposive and random sampling methods were followed in case of selecting the respondents for the present study. A structured interview schedule was prepared and personal interview method was used for data collection. A total of 175 farmers taken for the study who adopted Integrated Farming System for securing their livelihood. Level of livelihood security was taken as dependent variable and other 21 independent variables were considered for the study to explore the relational dispositions. The study revealed that majority of the farmers (57.14 %) were in the category of medium level of livelihood security followed by high level (24.00%) and low level of livelihood security (18.86%). The independent variables education, family education status, occupation, annual family income, annual family expenditure, land holding, irrigation facilities, material possession, animal possession, credit seeking behaviour, information seeking behaviour, social participation, scientifi c orientation, economic orientation, innovativeness and management effi ciency had shown positive and signifi cant association with the livelihood security and only the variable material possession had shown positively and signifi cantly contributing towards characterising the dependent variable, level of livelihood security.