Lesson
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♻️ Integrated Farming Systems

Integration of livestock with crops and allied enterprises to improve income, recycling, and resilience.

This lesson covers core livestock production and management concepts for practical farm application and exam-oriented preparation.


Integrated Farming

CLASS 3: INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS- ROLE OF LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY, MANURE

MANAGEMENT METHODS, DUCK/FISH/RICE CULTURE.

Integrated Farming system

CLASS 6 Integrated farming system – (IFS)

Component of farming system research a change farming techniques for maximum

production – optimum utilisation of resources  Defects of mixed farming is overcome –  proper planning,  monitoring  and execution of work according to size of the farm, farm resources, Agro climatic etc.

Focused on a few selected, interdependent and interrelated systems Type of livestock species or poultry enterprises -selected

 availability of feed,  fodder,  water resources of the farm.  Quantity – Availability : No. of animals maintained

GOALS

Four goals

Maximizing of yield of all components- steady and stable income Rejuvenation of systems productivity-ecological equilibrium Control pest, weed and diseases by stable management. Reducing the use of chemicals and other harmful agro chemicals

Advantages

ProductivityProfitabilityPotentiality and sustainabilityBalanced foodPollution free environmentRecyclingAdoption of new technologySolve energy crisisEmployment generationImproves the standard and literacy

Different systems

Lowland farming systemIrrigated upland farming systemUpland farming system

Lowland farming system

 Cropping + poultry + duck + pigeon + fishery + mushroom in all possible combinations  Recycling reduces the cost of output  one hectare 0.90 ha for crop + 0.10 for fish pond  1000 polyculture fingerlings  50 babcock layers or 100 pigeons feed requirement for 1000 fingerlings  Pigeon open grazing ^ profitable

Other Combinations

Crop + piggery + fish+ mushroomcrop + goat + fishGoat Unit 11.0 t more manure apart from feed requirementEmployment for the farmerscrop residue sand waste of horticulture for producing 5 kg of edible mushroom /dayvermicomposting

Irrigated upland farming system

Crop + Dairy + Biogas + Spawn+ Mushroom Dairy of 3 milch animals Dung to generate 2m3 of biogas – sufficient for preparation gruel, lightning 2 lamps and

cooking of mushroom and spawn Sericulture – mulberry leaves after worm feed – and faecal matter of worms good biogas

input

Left out after reeling silk yarn - rich in protein – good feed supplement

OTHER INTEGRATION

Rabbit farming

One unit 10 females and one male - 200 kindling – weight around 1000 kgs meat coconut border planting on irrigation channels with 4 m interval – 50 trees – 5000 nuts

per annum Nutrient enriched by growing sun hemp Vermicompost from plant good organic source

Horticulture oriented

  • Homestead Garden with vegetables, fruit trees – vermicompost to the land

  • Honey bee hives – collect honey from the flowers

  • Horticulture Waste to the animals (dairy)

Upland farming system

Conventional Rain fed Crops  integrating farms and biomass build up  Dry Land With Goat+ Fodder Crops + Perennial Grasses

 20 ewes and one buck -365 days by short duration field crops ( Tellicherry ) - dual

purpose – economic traits – manure of 11.2 t of soil excellent source primary, secondary and micro nutrients absorb more moisture and release to the crop  After 5 years perennial fodder trees bear the stock

Other Inputs

 Buffalo – Good Quality Of Milk Fat with low quality fodder  Drought Tolerant Fruit Crops like ber, amla, guava, pomegranate raised with legumes or

intercrops feed supplement to milch animals  Farm pond 1/ 25 of the cultivated land – outlet point for the secure run off water dimension 40* 10*1.5m Silt settling unit – silt removed – organic nutrient to perennial fruit trees and stagnation of water more 31/2 to 4 months – tilopia a local fish reared in pond

Constraints

Heavy investment at initial stage

involvement of multi disciplinary activities like animal husbandry

Lack of marketing

Lack of knowledge of preparation of own feed

non availability of new variety

Specialized farm

Intensification of agricultural activity aimed at maximising the production/unit area

/unit time.  Operational efficiency and speed of execution.  Focused on a single system.Management skills If located close to town – Advantageous i. Reduce transport cost ii. Marketing easy since avenues more. Village : Cost of land cheap : investment on feed and fodder less.

  • Mixed Farming : Along with crop Husbandry one or more component of livestock or poultry maintained. mixed farming is the economical rearing of different types of Livestock&Poultry in the farm along with

  • (a) making use of farm Produce.

  • b)Utilization of unconventional feed and fodder

  • c)better utilization of farm by products


Summary Cheat Sheet

Topic Key Point
IFS meaning Integrated Farming System combines crop, livestock, poultry, fishery, or allied enterprises in one planned farm unit
Main goal Better use of farm resources with regular income and reduced risk
Core principle Output or by-product of one enterprise becomes input for another
Major advantage Recycling of nutrients, wastes, labour, water, and farm by-products
Mixed vs integrated IFS is more scientifically planned than ordinary mixed farming
Lowland system Often integrates paddy with fish, ducks, fodder, or livestock support activities
Upland system Can combine crops with dairy, goats, sheep, poultry, or fodder blocks
Economic effect Improves profitability and employment throughout the year
Environmental effect Enhances soil fertility and reduces waste through recycling
Exam trap Integration is not just “keeping many enterprises”; it requires functional linkage among them

Lesson Doubts

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