Integrated Farming
Integrated Farming means to integrate crop production with livestock management which in a way complement each other with a nice symbiotic relationship which at the time is economically viable and profitable, environmentally suitable, and benefit giver of diversification of production.
The International Organisation of Biological Control (IOBC) describes Integrated Farming according to the UNI 11233-2009 European standard as a farming system where high quality organic food, feed, fiber and renewable energy are produced by using resources such as soil, water, air and nature as well as regulating factors to farm sustainably and with as little polluting inputs as possible.
Integrated production or Integrated Farm Management is a whole farm management system which aims to deliver more sustainable agriculture. It is a dynamic approach which can be applied to any farming system around the world. It involves attention to detail and continuous improvement in all areas of a farming business through informed management processes. Integrated Farming combines the best of modern tools and technologies with traditional practices according to a given site and situation. In simple words, it means using many ways of cultivation in a small space or land.
Integrated farming is an another approach or farming practice which originally devised in China and now being supported worldwide as a all-round development of agriculture along with animal husbandry and other such occupation which is related to core agricultural practices. Integrated farming has the capability to make the agriculture sector profitable which otherwise has been proved largely as a subsistence sector and a major reason behind leaving this age old occupation and migration to cities.
An example of integrated farming could be fish and livestock cultivation along with general farming practices which support each other. The fishes can be fed with the residuary materials of farms such as leaves, stalks or other waste products. Additionally, the plankton which are major fish feed can grow using the manures provided by the livestock which are getting raised at the side of fish farms. Near the fish farms, silk warms can also be raised (i.e. sericulture). The silkworm pupae and other wastes can then be used to feed the fish. In return the fish pond silt provides an excellent manure and fertilizer for land crops and highly solicited by farmers. This way integrated farming has multicultural approach which is environment friendly and sustainably provide the economic means to prosper.
Integrated farming can have many variants which can be used according to the environmental conditions of the place. It can include combinations such as Fish-Duck Integrated farming, Livestock-Fish Integrated farming (explained above), Cattle-Fish Integrated farming, Poultry-Fish Integrated farming, livestock-honeybee integrated farming etc. There are advantage associated with this type of farming, it includes;
Enhanced Productivity is one of the most important benefits of integrated farming system. By increase productivity means that economic yield increases per unit area per unit by time due to intensification of crop and allied farming enterprises.
Profitability factor also increases as productivity increase. This is because we are using the waste material or by-product of one enterprise as an input into other farming enterprise.
Adoption of New Technology is one of the important benefits of integrated farming system. This is because, adoption of technology needs money. Large farmers have finances so they can adopt it easily. However, small farmers usually face shortage in finances. But due to integrated farming system, they have the opportunity to increase their returns from farming and adapt to new technology.
Environmental Safety is ensured in this approach. How? As we are using the waste material of one enterprise as input into the production function of other type of enterprise, so waste pollution is minimized and hence environmental safety is ensured.
Fight Against Deforestation can win by this approach. Planting timber and fuel wood along with the crops in field not only utilizes the free space of land but also supply wood for many purposes. Hence pressure on natural forests can be reduced and natural ecosystem is preserved.
Other advantage inclues;
- Promotion of Agro-Industry
- Increased Input Efficiency
- Cost Minimization for Input Use
- Increased Employment
- Fodder Security for Livestock
- Recycling
- Continuous Income Round the Year
- Energy Saving
However, despite having many advantages of integrated farming, it is so far not yet popular as expected and hence the farmers are not able to reap its benefits. There may be many reasons attributed to this failure such as –
- The unawareness of farmers about the benefits of this farming practice – It keep the farmers away implementing best practices of integrated farming.
- The lesser resources – Around 80 percent of the farmers do not have lands more than 5 acres. Hence, they can’t be used mechanized farming with sophisticated tools. Also, the lack of capital acts as an impediment in buying the expensive livestock and its maintenance.
- Government policies – Though government has many schemes to provide on low rates loan for cattle rearing, agriculture and purchasing mechanical equipment. However, the procedure along with inherent corruption in government departments further discourages the farmers to approach them.
Source:
Rahman, M. A. (2018, May 27). Benefits of Integrated Farming System [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://aridagriculture.com/2018/05/27/benefits-of-integrated-farming-system/
https://www.gktoday.in/gk/integrated-farming/
https://aridagriculture.com/2018/05/27/benefits-of-integrated-farming-system/