Integrated farming system for livelihood security of small farmers of North- East Karnataka

Abstract

Investigations were carried out in Main Agricultural Research Station (MARS), Raichur district of Karnataka during 2012-14 to find out a sustainable mixed farming model which is economically viable by integrating the different components like crops, livestock, poultry, rabbits and fish on a 2.5 acre land holding. Seven integrated farming system models were developed to find out the best package on the land holding of 2.5 acre suitable for the North- East Karnataka region. Among various IFS models, F7 model registered highest net returns (Rs. 1,89,069 ha/year) and least observed in conventional cotton alone (F1 ) system (Rs. 74,592 ha/year). The similar trend was observed in return per day, diversity index and employment generation (Rs. 518/day, 2.92 and 206 mandays/ha/year).