Agriculture Minister has Urged Integrated Farming Models for Small Farmers

Syllabus: GS3/Agriculture

Context

• The Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister called upon Agri Scientists to develop Integrated farming models for small farmers. 

About

• He mentioned models that integrate poultry, fisheries, animal husbandry, horticulture and other agriculture-based cultivation will help small farmers to get better income. 
• He also asked them to reduce the number of years for the varieties and hybrids developed in labs to reach farmers from four to five years to just two years.

Integrated farming systems (IFS)

• Integrated farming systems (IFS) is a positive interaction between two or more components — such as horticulture crops, livestock, aquaculture, poultry/ducks, apiculture, and mushroom cultivation. 
• It uses the principles of minimum competition and maximum complementarity with advanced agronomic management tools. 
• Its goal is to sustain an environmentally friendly farm income, family nutrition, and ecosystem services. 

Objectives of IFS

• To minimize the waste from various subsystems of the farm by expanding the symbiotic systems so that the waste of one process becomes the input for other operations. 
• The waste can be utilised such as energy, fertilizer, and feed, for optimum productivity at minimum cost.
• To enhance ecological diversity by selecting the appropriate cropping methodology, intercropping, to reduce competition including mixed crop rotation, and for water, nutrition, and space.
• To use the entire available area effectively and ensure interactions between biotic and abiotic components.
• To improve the farm household’s dietary diversity and achieve sustainable livelihoods by diversifying the rural farm to minimize risks.

Impact of IFS

• Higher Overall Productivity: IFS increases total production compared to monocropping systems.
• Enhanced Farm Income: Diversified enterprises (dairy, poultry, fisheries, horticulture) significantly raise net returns up to three times higher in some regions.
• Year-Round Income Stability: Multiple enterprises reduce dependency on a single crop and ensure continuous cash flow.
• Improved Nutritional Security: Greater crop and home garden diversity improves diet diversity and food self-sufficiency.
• Women’s Economic Participation: It expands livelihood opportunities in dairy, livestock, and poultry sectors for women.
• Soil Health Improvement: Promotes nutrient recycling, increases soil organic carbon, enhances microbial activity, and reduces erosion.
• Biodiversity & Ecological Benefits: Increases crop and species diversity, improves nutrient cycling, and potentially reduces emissions through residue recycling and agroforestry integration.

Government Initiatives

• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): Promotes climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture.
  • Encourages integrated crop, livestock, horticulture and fishery systems.
  • Focuses on soil health, water conservation, and resource-use efficiency.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY): It enhances irrigation coverage by promoting “Per Drop More Crop” for water-use efficiency and supports water-efficient integrated models like horticulture and fishery-based systems.
• National Livestock Mission (NLM): It supports livestock development (dairy, poultry, small ruminants) and encourages livestock integration with crop farming.
• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): It promotes fruits, vegetables, spices, plantation crops which strengthens diversification, a key pillar of IFS.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) & Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): It develops region-specific IFS models and provides demonstrations and farmer training.
  • It promotes technology transfer and capacity building.

Source: AIR