About Integrated Farming Systems-IFS in Dept. of Agronomy College of Agriculture,, Raichur

“ ESTABLISHMENT OF INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM MODULES FOR DIFFERENT AGRO ECOSYSTEMS OF HYDERABAD KARNATAKA REGION”

The IFS Project is one of the, major project in the UAS, Raichur sponsored by GOK under RKVY Scheme. The mission of the project is to establish IFS modules in all the Agricultural Research Stations of UAS, Raichur leading to the development of land, water, plant and animal management systems, which ensure profitability and sustainability of the Hyderabad Karnataka Region’s cropping enterprises. Important crops which contribute the economy of the region are paddy, cotton, pigeonpea, sunflower, Bengalgram, Sugarcane etc. grown under different eco-systems. Increasing production cost, static or declining prices and environment issues are the issues which jeopardizise the long term sustainability of these farms. More efficient, economic and environmentally sound production practices are needed. In integrated crop, agro forestry, Horticulture, live stock farms form complex physical and biological systems only studying the farms as a whole can improved practices be developed that maintain a reliable continuous food supply, a strong agricultural economy and a safer environment.

SITUATION/BACKGROUND

Today, concerns regarding environmental safety and sustainability of land productivity are increasing among Scientists, Administrators and Environmentalists. It is doubted whether the strategy adopted during the green revolution era could be continued any longer under the challenging conditions of this new century. Already, a section of people in the world is questioning the propriety of conventional agriculture, and a few of them are advocating alternative practices that are perceived to lay foundation for sustained production. On these lines, systems like alternative agriculture, natural farming, organic farming etc, were proposed at various conventions. However, the scientists harping on the success of green revolution continue to doubt whether such a system can really be functional, productive and meet the growing demands for agricultural products in this e-age. These emphasize the need to develop new strategy of living with the nature and nurturing it for sustainable production.
Integrated farming system approach is not only a reliable way of obtaining fairly high productivity with substantial fertilizer economy but also a concept of ecological soundness leading to sustainable agriculture (Swaminathan, 1987 and also deriving maximum compatibility and replenishment of organic matter by way of proper recycling of organic residues/ waste obtained through integration of enterprises like fishery, poultry, goat, milch animal, mushroom and sericulture activities.
Keeping these points in view and also considering nature as the best example of healthy and perfect system of recycling for production, the settings of model IFS are conceived. In the proposed model, component enterprises of agriculture, animal husbandry (poultry, dairy, sheep rearing), bee keeping, vermicompost etc, will be integrated into one holistic self-sustaining production system with the following objectives.

1. To develop, demonstrate and popularize integrated farming system models for
different agroecosystems of Hyderabad Karnataka region.

2. To educate farmer’s regarding integrated farming systems technology through
Training programs, field visits exposure trips and field days.

3. To study the profitability of integrated farming systems model for irrigated and dry
land ecosystem.

4. To create employment generation under different enterprises of integrated farming
system.

PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES

Components of farming system

I. FARM HOUSE, KITCHEN GARDEN AND SUBSIDIARY ENTERPRISES –
dairy, goat, poultry, vermicompost, farm ponds

II. MINI ORCHARD AND FLOWER CROPS

III & IV. CROPPING ACTIVITIES – field crops, fodder and green manure

V. VEGETABLE CROPS

Methodology
The project is implemented in the following research stations of UAS, Raichur

i) MARS, Raichur vi) ARS, Kawadimatti
ii) ARS, Gangavati vii) ARS, Gulbarga
iii)ARS, Malnoor viii) ARS, Bidar
iv)ARS, Siruguppa ix) ARS, Raddewadgi
v)ARS, Hagari x) ARS, Bheemarayana gudi
Note: An integrated farming system model on one hectare area each under dry land and irrigated ecosystems is laid out in each of the above research stations.
IFS MODEL FOR IRRIGATED ECO SYSTEM (1ha) RAICHUR
Teak planting all along the borders. Bunds between the segments are planted with drumstick, curry leaf and fodder grasses like NB-21, Guinea grass & stylo.
Segment 1: Bullock pair: 1
Cow : 2
Poultry birds : 60
Kitchen garden
Construction of farm pond (Fishery), farm house, Poultry cage, Cattle shed and Vermicompost unit as per the specification
Segment 2: Horticulture crops like Mango & Fig/Guava inter-cropped with vegetables
like Bhendi, Ridge gourd and Leafy vegetables
Segment 3: Maize followed by Bengal gram
Segment 4: Bt-cotton
Segment 5: Part 1: Jasmine
Part 2: Marigold
Part 3: Watermelon

IFS MODEL FOR DRYLAND ECO SYSTEM (1ha Area), RAICHUR
All along the border-planting of Tamarind, Jamun and Sapota.
Bunds between the segments are planted with Drumstick/Curry leaf and fodder crops
Segment 1: Desi cow (Khilari) : 1
Goat : 5 +1
Kitchen garden
Construction of farm pond (Fishery), farm house, Cattle shed and Vermicompost unit as per the specification
Segment 2: Amla, Guava Custard apple & Sapota + Bengalgram
Segment 3: Red gram + compatible mixtures ( Bajra, Navane, Sesamum )
Segment 4: Part 1: Sunflower
Part 2 : Jowar
Segment 5: Part 1: Cluster bean Rotation basis
Part2 : Dolichus
During rabi season sowing of Safflower was taken up


For human need, the livestock provides food, fiber, skin, traction, fertilizer and fuel. Livestock also constitutes “living bank” providing flexible financial reserve in times of emergency and serve as “insurance” against crop failure for survival. In this system, animals are raised on agricultural waste. The animal power is for agricultural operation and the dung is used as manure and fuel.