Agriculture remains central to India’s food security and rural livelihoods, but small landholdings, rising costs, and climate risks challenge conventional farming systems. Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) offer a sustainable solution by enhancing productivity, income diversification, and resource efficiency, though adoption is constrained by limited awareness, training, credit access, and institutional support. The study was carried out in three blocks of the Cooch Behar district, where a considerable number of farmers have adopted the Integrated Farming System (IFS) as a means of securing their livelihoods. A multistage sampling procedure involving purposive and random sampling techniques were employed for the selection of respondents. A structured interview schedule was developed and data were collected through the personal interview method. Data were collected using well-structured questionnaire from September to December of 2021. In total, 175 farmers practicing the IFS were selected as respondents for the study to analyse the constraints faced by them and to document their suggestive measures for improving the effectiveness of the system. The study revealed that majority of the IFS farmers considered the constraint ‘lack of capital/ finance to start and maintain more than one enterprise’- (93.71 %) as a major one, followed by ‘lack of proper marketing channels at village level’- (90.28 %) as a second major constraint. In case of suggestive measures the suggestion ‘easy or low interest rates on loans to small and marginal farmers to establish IFS’- (91.42 %) was important among all, followed by ‘proper marketing channels which can be accessible to farmers, should made available to farmers to market their outputs they got from IFS models’- (87.42 %) ranked second. The study suggest the policy makers to make a proper plan to make the farmers overcome the constraints mentioned by them.

Abstract Introduction: Nutrition gardens at the household level have emerged as an effective strategy, contributing to nutrition security, particularly in rural settings. The paper presents the impact of Nutrition-Sensitive Integrated Farming Systems (NSIFS) model implemented under Swabhimaan (2016–2020) programme by Bihar State Rural Livelihoods Mission (JEEViKA) with support from UNICEF in increasing dietary diversity amongst women and adolescent girls. Materials and Methods: A series of cross-sectional surveys (2016–2021) were conducted in Kasba and Jalalgarh blocks in Purnea district of Bihar, India, using the difference-in-difference technique and 24-h recall method. It showed a positive association between promotion of the household NSIFS model and improved Dietary Diversity Scores (DDS) among adolescent girls (10–19 years), pregnant women (15–49 years), and mothers of children under 2 years. The manuscript was prepared in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Results: From Baseline to Endline survey, adolescent girls with minimum DDS increased from 12.3% to 50.0%, pregnant women with high DDS from 13.6% to 52.8% and mothers of children under 2 years from 9.2% to 50.0%. Conclusion: The findings recommend a gradual scaling up of the NSIFS model with community-led behaviour change interventions for enhancing dietary diversity and nutrition outcomes.

The coastal region of West Bengal is prone to environmental challenges such as cyclones, water salinity, and frequent flooding, for that reason, people prefer diversifying different farming enterprises over the specialization of any farming enterprise. A sample of 200 respondents was collected through a multi-stage random sampling method to analyse the determinants of the adoption of the dairy component in dairy-based integrated farming systems (IFSs) in coastal region of West Bengal. Employing a seemingly unrelated bivariate probit model, the study utilized the profit share of dairy in IFSs and the number of cattle in households as dependent variables (which are the adoption parameters of the dairy component in IFSs), while farmers' socio-economic attributes served as explanatory variables. The finding shows the number of cattle in households had a positive marginal effect on the profit share of dairy in IFSs. In the Dairy + Crop + Goat framing system, the probability of more cattle adoption was low compared to the Dairy + Crop farming system. Regular extension contact by the farmers helped to get more profit from dairy component in IFSs. Most dairy farmers sold their raw milk to retailers. If farmers sell their raw milk to milk vendors, the profit share of dairy in IFSs reduction probability will be 20 per cent compared to a cooperative society. Hence, establishing more cooperative societies and expanding their area coverage in this region become crucial for adopting more dairy components in IFSs.

Climate change and food security are among the most complex issues facing the world today. Diversifying crops to improve farm income stands as a pivotal strategy for fostering sustainable agricultural development. Suitable crop diversification strategies with location-specific crops are inevitable in lowlands for resilience and low emission systems. An experiment was conducted at the Integrated Farming System Research Station of Kerala Agricultural University located in Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala during 2021–2022 to 2023–2024. The objective was to evolve different cropping sequences in lowlands suited to integrated farming systems for improvement of soil health, family nutrition, animal nutrition and income enhancement. The study also aimed to assess the weed density over different rice-based cropping sequences and seasons. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with 10 treatments (existing and diversified cropping sequences) replicated thrice. The results showed that the floristic composition of weeds varied with seasons and the weed density was found lower in diversified cropping sequences. The soil health status was assessed through the organic carbon build up in the sequences and all the diversified sequences have a positive build-up of organic carbon. Among the cropping systems evaluated, rice + daincha - rice + daincha - red gram + groundnut, rice - bush cowpea-sweet potato, rice - guinea grass + fodder cowpea - guinea grass + fodder cowpea and rice-sweet potato - culinary melon were identified as the most effective systems for enhancing soil health, family nutrition, livestock nutrition and farm income, respectively. Diversified cropping systems can be recommended for reduced weed density over the seasons.

Soil carbon sequestration has emerged as a critical strategy for mitigating climate change while enhancing agricultural sustainability and soil health. Agricultural soils contain a substantial proportion of terrestrial carbon, with the potential to act as either carbon sources or sinks depending on management practices. This review synthesizes current scientific understanding of the carbon sequestration potential of various agronomic practices, including conservation tillage, crop residue management, crop rotation, cover cropping, organic amendments, integrated farming systems, and agroforestry. These practices influence carbon dynamics through biological, physical, and chemical mechanisms that regulate carbon input, transformation, and stabilization in soil systems. Empirical evidence indicates that improved agronomic management can sequester approximately 0.2–1.0 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, depending on soil type, climate, and cropping systems. The review further examines factors affecting sequestration efficiency, including soil texture, mineralogy, climatic variability, and management intensity, highlighting their interactive effects on soil organic carbon accumulation. Methods for measuring and estimating soil carbon, such as field sampling, laboratory analysis, simulation models, and remote sensing tools, are critically evaluated to address uncertainties in carbon accounting. The role of conservation agriculture and organic farming systems in enhancing long-term carbon storage is emphasized, along with their co-benefits in improving soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity. Constraints such as economic limitations, adoption barriers, measurement challenges, and policy gaps are identified as key obstacles to large-scale implementation. Policy frameworks, carbon credit systems, and payment for ecosystem services are discussed as mechanisms to incentivize adoption of carbon-enhancing practices. Future research priorities include long-term experimental studies, integration of advanced technologies such as precision agriculture and biotechnology, and development of region-specific strategies. The findings underscore the importance of integrated and sustainable agronomic approaches in optimizing soil carbon sequestration, contributing to climate change mitigation, and ensuring resilient agricultural systems.

Over a six-year period (2016-2022), field experiments were carried out at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research in Bengaluru to evaluate the effects of a systematic approach on moderating microclimate, enhancing productivity, and increasing profitability in rainfed mango orchards (Mangifera indica L.). The approach involved rainwater harvesting and recycling, intercropping, resource recycling via vermi-composting, bund cropping with fodder resources, and integration with dairy. The results indicated that intercropping with protective irrigation using water stored in farm pond helped in slight modification in the microclimate. Among various intercropping systems, mango + brinjal system recorded the highest system productivity (22,468 kg ha-1), followed by mango + sweet corn (10,864 kg ha-1) and mango + pigeon pea (7,068 kg ha-1). Intercropping in rainfed mango orchards yielded net returns of Rs. 1,73,000 ha-1, significantly higher than Rs. 39,000 ha-1 for monocropped rainfed mango. Further, integrating two dairy cows with brinjal intercropping, recycling farmyard manure (FYM) back into the mango orchard, and maintaining a vermicompost unit resulted in a mean net return of Rs. 4,96,000 ha-1year-1. Continuous intercropping in mango orchards effectively enhanced soil organic carbon and nitrogen levels, particularly with pigeonpea, demonstrating improved soil health. The results of the study clearly demonstrated the modifications in microclimate, improved overall system productivity, economic returns and sustainability through rainfed mango based integrated farming system.

Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) have gained prominence as a sustainable and resource-efficient approach to enhance farm productivity, income stability, and livelihood security among small and marginal farmers. By integrating multiple enterprises, IFS improves resource use efficiency and strengthens resilience against climatic and market uncertainties. The study was conducted in the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh to identify the major constraints faced by farmers practicing Integrated Farming System (IFS) under the Farmer FIRST Programme (FFP). A total of 60 beneficiary farmers were selected, and data were collected using a structured interview schedule. Constraints were categorized into production, marketing, financial, and management constraints, and ranked using Garrett’s Ranking Method. Results revealed that shortage of labour (mean score = 56.33) and uncertain weather conditions (mean score = 50.00) were the most critical production constraints. Among marketing constraints, high transportation costs (mean score = 59.50) and price fluctuations (mean score = 54.75) ranked highest. Increasing rate of labour wages (mean score = 64.25) and inadequate subsidies (mean score = 45.25) were the top financial constraints. In terms of management, difficulty in labour management (mean score = 59.50) and pest and disease management (mean score = 54.75) were the key barriers. The findings indicates that financial and management constraints dominate the challenges faced by IFS farmers. Policy and extension interventions, including farm mechanization, affordable credit, improved storage facilities, strengthened market linkages, and capacity building, are essential to mitigate these constraints effectively.

Weed infestation is a major constraint in mulberry (Morus spp.) cultivation, as weeds compete with mulberry plants for nutrients, water, light, and space, resulting in reduced leaf yield and quality. Effective weed management is therefore essential for sustaining productivity in sericulture-based farming systems. In organic mulberry gardens, the use of chemical herbicides is restricted, creating the need for eco-friendly and sustainable weed management strategies. Livestock grazing, particularly using sheep and goats, has emerged as a promising biological approach for integrated weed control in agricultural systems. Sheep generally graze on grasses and herbaceous weeds, while goats prefer broadleaf weeds and shrubs, making their combined use effective in controlling diverse weed flora. Controlled grazing in mulberry gardens can significantly reduce weed biomass, suppress weed seed production, and lower labor requirements associated with manual weeding. In addition to weed suppression, livestock grazing contributes to nutrient recycling through manure and urine deposition, thereby improving soil fertility and enhancing the sustainability of the production system. Studies have indicated that integrating livestock grazing into crop production systems can reduce weed density and improve overall farm productivity while minimizing reliance on chemical inputs. However, proper grazing management, including stocking density, grazing duration, and protection of mulberry plants, is necessary to avoid potential damage to the crop. This review highlights the role of sheep and goat grazing as an ecological and cost-effective component of integrated weed management in organic mulberry gardens. The adoption of this approach can support sustainable sericulture by reducing weed control costs, improving soil health, and promoting integrated farming systems.

A major factor in increasing improved yields of fish as a result of the population explosion is integrated fish farming with animal husbandry. Combined farming practices that comprise at least two distinct but rationally related components of a fish and livestock enterprise are referred to as integrated farming systems. For integrated livestock fish production, fish species that are fed by humans, effectively use phytoplankton and zooplankton and tend to feed on macrophytes are ideal. The fundamental ideas of integrated farming include preservation, especially the full use of leftovers from animals and the harnessing of the synergistic benefits of connected farm activities. Combining fish aquaculture and animal husbandry can increase output, provide jobs and be very rewarding. It is acknowledged that integrated fish farming is a sustainable aquaculture method. In order to increase output as well as efficiency, this paper reviews integrated aquaculture, paying particular attention to the integration of fish and the increase in productivity of aquaculture systems. In addition to fish, integrated fish farming produces meat (chicken, duck, cattle, etc.), milk, vegetables, fruits, eggs, grains, fodder and mushrooms. It also has the ability to improve the socioeconomic standing and productivity of our society's weakest segments.

This study presents a comprehensive three-year (2021–2024) evaluation of a 1.00 ha Integrated Farming System (IFS) model established at Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, with support from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). The model integrated fourteen farm-based enterprises, including cropping, vegetables, fruits, fodder, dairy, poultry, duckery, farm pond-based fishery, mushroom, honeybee, organic recycling, low-cost nursery, post-harvest processing and solar energy, to address the economic and ecological challenges of semi-arid rainfed farming systems. Component-wise analysis revealed substantial variation in profitability and economic viability among the enterprises. Fishery emerged as the most profitable enterprise, with a net return of ₹222174 and a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1.70, followed by organic recycling, the cropping system and dairy units. In contrast, enterprises such as duckery, mushroom cultivation and beekeeping performed poorly due to climatic unsuitability and market-related constraints. The cumulative gross return over the three-year period was ₹2089753, with a net return of ₹525347, despite capital investments being amortized over a ten-year period. Employment generation potential was substantial, contributing to enhanced livelihood opportunities in the region. When income from family labour and savings from solar electricity (₹131754) were included, the overall benefit-cost ratio improved from 0.34 to 0.69. Optimization analysis identified eight shortlisted components that exhibited superior economic performance and employment generation potential. The integrated system showed a BCR of 1.18 when livelihood contributions were included. Overall, the study underscores that strategic enterprise integration, internal input generation and diversification significantly enhance the sustainability and resilience of IFS models. It concludes that context-tailored IFS approaches can significantly improve livelihood security, farm productivity and ecological sustainability in resource-constrained dryland regions like Bundelkhand.

The objective of this study was to study the profile characteristics of Integrated Farming System (IFS) farmers of Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu. The data was collected from 300 IFS farmers who have been personally interviewed with the help of a well structured and pre tested interview schedule. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents were young aged, having primary school education, farming along with business as main occupation with low farming experience having landholdings up to 5ac majority had medium utilization of mass media, medium economic motivation, high risk orientation, medium extension contact. Additionally majority of them had medium achievement motivation, moderately favourable attitude towards IFS, and medium income security.

Evaluating farmers’ strategies and socioeconomic drivers for adaptation to climate uncertainty: A case study in the Himalayan region of West Bengal, India

The experiment was conducted during the month of April to November in 2022 to study integrated farming systems (IFSs) in West Bengal. IFSs offered holistic solutions to food security, resource efficiency, and rural livelihoods, yet adoption remained limited in India due to socio-economic, ecological, and institutional barriers. A significant gap existed in empirical evidence regarding the relative importance of the enabling and constraining factors influencing the adoption and scalability of IFS in the Indian context. This study aimed to bridge that gap by identifying and ranking key factors influencing the adoption of IFSs in Eastern India. A multi-stage sampling approach was used to select 60 farmers practicing IFS for data collection across six agro-climatic zones (ACZs) in West Bengal, India from April to November in 2022. This study identified and ranked key factors, based on relative closeness values (ranging from 0 to 1), influencing IFS adoption in West Bengal through a SWOC (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Challenges)– TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) analysis, a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method grounded in machine learning principles. Zone-specific insights revealed strengths and/ or opportunities like women’s participation, income enhancement, farm production improvement, sustainable livelihood security, and scope of organic farming, alongside major weaknesses and challenges like intensive water requirement, higher labour engagement, greater capital start-up cost, natural calamities, and market volatility. The integrated methodology presented a replicable model for contextual planning and informed decision-making in West Bengal and similar agro-climatic regions across India and beyond.

The integration of natural resources is essential for enhancing productivity and sustainability in rainfed farming systems. Technological interventions play a vital role in improving crop yield, farm income, and employment generation under rainfed conditions. The present study evaluated the impact of technological interventions in Rainfed Integrated Farming Systems (RIFS) among small and marginal farmers in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, India. Farmers were categorized based on farm size and farming system components. Under rainfed conditions, crop and ruminant-based farming systems were evaluated for both small and marginal farmers. Marginal farmers adopting the Crop + Large Ruminant system recorded a 27.33% increase in main crop equivalent yield, additional net returns of ₹15,811 ha⁻¹, and 27 additional man-days of employment compared to traditional practices. Similarly, the Crop + Large Ruminant + Small Ruminant system resulted in a 58.98% increase in yield, ₹44,255 ha⁻¹ higher net returns, and 71 additional man-days of employment. Small farmers adopting the Crop + Large Ruminant system achieved a 35.76% increase in main crop equivalent yield, additional net returns of ₹26,256 ha⁻¹, and 72 additional man-days of employment. The Crop + Large Ruminant + Small Ruminant system further enhanced productivity by 61.26%, generating additional net returns of ₹39,078 ha⁻¹ and 106 additional man-days of employment. The study highlights that crop production alone is insufficient to enhance farm income under rainfed conditions. Integration of ruminant enterprises significantly improves farm productivity, profitability, and livelihood security of small and marginal farmers.

Stunting remains a chronic public health problem in Indonesia. Recent data indicate that 27.6 % of Indonesian children under five experience stunting, far above the World Health Organization (WHO) target, reflecting unequal access to health services, clean water, sanitation and feeding practices. This community‑service program aims to improve farmer welfare and reduce stunting in Cijulang village by integrating intensive sheep farming with family nutrition gardens and organic waste management. A community‑based approach involved designing an integrated farming system, training farmers and health cadres, establishing communal sheep pens and nutrition gardens, and monitoring child growth. Baseline surveys showed that 60 % of farming families consumed animal protein only twice per week. After training and implementation, communal pens housing 30 sheep were constructed and 100 m² of gardens planted. Farmers learned silage and compost making, with post‑training knowledge rising by 40 %. Households increased animal‑protein consumption to at least four times per week, and child height‑for‑age z‑scores improved by 0.3 within six months. Integrating sheep farming, nutrition gardens and waste recycling offers a practical model for enhancing household food security, income and child nutrition.

The present study was carried out during 2024-25 in Udaipur district of Rajasthan, which was purposively selected as the AICRP on integrated farming systems (OFR) project was implemented there in 2011 to 2016. Two tehsils, Sarada and Salumber and three villages from each tehsil were chosen for the study. From each village, 10 households were selected, making a total sample of 60 households which were small and marginal farmers. Primary data were collected from the selected farmers using a pre-structured schedule. The study identified six distinct farming systems: FS-I (C + D), FS-II (C + D + G), FS-III (C + H + D), FS-IV (C + H + G + P), FS-V (C + D + G + P), and FS-VI (C + H + D + G + P), representing a progression from basic two-component systems to highly diversified, multi-enterprise models. The findings revealed that both total variable costs and total fixed costs increased with the degree of diversification and inclusion of additional farm enterprises. Consequently, the total cost (TC) was lowest in FS-I (₹1,48,778.18) and highest in the most diversified system, FS-VI (₹3,57,673.89). In terms of returns, gross returns were highest in FS-VI (₹8,34,100.65), followed by FS-III (₹5,17,901.59) and FS-V (₹4,80,131.97), highlighting the income-enhancing contribution of horticulture and integrated livestock components. A similar trend was observed in net returns (NR), where FS-VI recorded the highest net income (₹4,76,424.76), followed by FS-III (₹2,65,823.60) and FS-IV (₹2,15,759.02). The return per rupee of investment varied considerably among the farming systems and was highest in FS-VI (2.33), indicating superior investment efficiency of the crop, vegetable, dairy, goat, and poultry-based system. This was closely followed by FS-IV (2.32) and FS-III (2.05)

The concept of integrated farming is a relevant approach to supporting sustainable agriculture in rural areas. Suci Village, Panti District, Jember Regency, has potential natural resources that support the development of an integrated farming system, particularly for sweet potatoes. However, farmers' limited knowledge and skills in applying appropriate cultivation techniques result in suboptimal production results. This community service activity aims to improve partners' knowledge and skills through training and mentoring on sweet potato cultivation to support the implementation of integrated farming. The activity method includes preparation, training, mentoring, and evaluation. The activity was carried out from July to October 2025 through lectures, focus group discussions (FGDs), and direct practice of organic sweet potato cultivation in polybags using organic fertilizer from local livestock waste. The results of the activity showed an increase in participants' understanding and skills in environmentally friendly sweet potato cultivation techniques and support the implementation of an integrated farming system in Suci Village.

Aims: The study evaluates and compares the economic sustainability of prevailing farming systems in the dry tracts of Telangana using the Sustainability Value Index (SVI), with specific reference to Wanaparthy district. Study Design: Cross-sectional farm-level economic analysis. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Wanaparthy district of Telangana state during the agricultural year 2024-25. Methodology: A multistage sampling design was adopted, with Wanaparthy district selected purposively and mandals and villages chosen randomly. Using stratified proportionate random sampling, 150 farmers practicing crop-only and crop + dairy systems were surveyed through personal interviews using a pre-tested schedule. Economic sustainability was assessed using the Sustainability Value Index (SVI), derived from average net income, maximum net income, and income variability. Results: The results indicate clear differences in economic performance and sustainability between the two farming systems. The crop + dairy system recorded higher average and maximum net incomes along with lower income variability, resulting in a higher Sustainability Value Index (SVI = 0.38) compared to the crop-only system (SVI = 0.27). Integration of dairy provided regular income flows and reduced dependence on seasonal crop returns, thereby improving resilience to climatic and market risks prevalent in dryland agriculture. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that crop–dairy integrated farming systems are economically more sustainable than crop-only systems in the dry tracts of Telangana. Higher sustainability under the integrated system is driven by income diversification and improved stability from dairy enterprises. The findings underscore the importance of promoting crop–livestock integration as a risk-mitigation strategy through supportive policies, extension services, and institutional interventions to enhance farm household resilience and long-term sustainability.

The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate strategies for the utilisation of nano technology-based ablution water waste in integrated farming systems comprising catfish, tilapia, gourami, iridescent shark, and water spinach. Utilising an interdisciplinary approach, this study not only examines the effectiveness of water treatment technology, but also seeks to empower pesantren human resources to achieve technical and economic independence. The novelty of this research lies in the integration of nanotechnology-based water treatment technology, the utilisation of the results for productive cultivation, and the empowerment of human resources in the Islamic boarding school community. This research was conducted at the As-Salafiyyah Asy-Syafi'iyyah Tambakberas Barat Islamic Boarding School, Jombang, East Java, from August to October 2025. The findings of the study demonstrate that the integration of electrocoagulation, zeolite-based nanofiltration, and ozonation technologies is efficacious in enhancing the quality of ablution wastewater. This assertion is substantiated by a substantial decline in pollutant parameters, specifically: The BOD decreased from 78 mg/L to 24 mg/L, with an efficiency of 69.2%, the COD decreased from 39 mg/L to 17 mg/L, with an efficiency of 56.4%, and the TSS decreased from 76 mg/L to 25 mg/L, with an efficiency of 67.1%. The utilisation of treated water as a cultivation medium yielded favourable outcomes, manifesting in the accelerated growth of water spinach plants. A notable augmentation in plant length was observed, escalating from 10.2 centimetres at seven days post-planting to 39.8 centimetres at 28 days after planting. Concurrently, the number of leaves increased from 9 at 7 days after planting to 38 leaves at 28 days after planting. Furthermore, the fresh weight of the plants exhibited a substantial increase, rising from 3 grams at seven days after planting to 37 grams at 28 days after planting. Furthermore, treated water has been demonstrated to support the growth of various fish species, including patin, tilapia, gurami, and catfish. The fastest growth was exhibited by tilapia and catfish, reaching 27 g and 18 g at 28 days after planting, respectively, with a final length of 14.83 cm and 13.25 cm, respectively. The present study will examine the level of technology acceptance among Islamic boarding schools. Keywords: Nanotechnology, Ablution Wastewater, Aquaculture, Hydroponics, Islamic Boarding School

Abstract Modern agriculture requires alternatives to counteract the price volatility and environmental impacts of synthetic fertilizers. Mealworm frass (MF) is being explored as a novel biofertilizer in sustainable agriculture. However, the in-depth characterization of its biofertilization potential is lacking. Similarly, the mechanistic role of its associated microbiota towards improving early plant growth response is unexplored. These are the gaps the current study addresses. Initially, the particle size and nutrient distribution of the MF were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Subsequently, microbial isolation and molecular identification characterized the MF-associated microbiome. Isolates were thereafter screened via various plant growth promotion (PGP) assays. Nutrient mineralization rates were calculated through soil incubation experiments. MF and chicken manure (CM) were incorporated into the soil at 1% (w/w) using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Additionally, the effects of the MF on Chinese kale (CK) growth and yield were evaluated under greenhouse conditions using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The results showed that MF had uniform nutrient distribution: high organic matter content (63.38%), the presence of essential nutrients (5.09% N, 1.71% P, and 2.82% K), and a low C:N ratio (6.69). Furthermore, the characterized MF microbiota comprised plant growth-promoting genera such as Streptomyces , Microbacterium , Brucella , Staphylococcus , and Rothia , which fix nitrogen, solubilize K & P, and produce IAA. Moreover, nutrients were released rapidly for plant uptake (7-day nitrogen mineralization rate = 93.75 mg kg −1 day −1 ). The CK growth trials showed that MF + 50% chemical fertilizer (CF) yielded the highest fresh weight (141.73 g plant −1 ) and crop quality (vitamin C: 227.97 mg plant −1 ; antioxidant activity: 238.10 µmol TE g −1 ). Usually, MF alone and MF + 50% CF outperformed CF and CM alone, respectively, in improving various plant growth responses, nutrient uptake, antioxidant activity, and vitamin C content ( p < 0.05). Taken together, our findings mechanistically portray MF (aided by PGP microbiota) as a biofertilizer for both organic and integrated farming systems. Further scale-up studies are recommended to fully justify the use of MF biofertilizer as a substitute for CF towards circular economy and agricultural sustainability principles. Graphical abstract