Integrated Farming Systems for Higher Sustainable Natural Resources in Intensive Systems
摘要
Indian agriculture has experienced remarkable growth in food grain production, consistently setting new records each year. However, a significant concern within the realm of Indian agriculture revolves around the sustainable management of natural resources over the long term, coupled with the challenge of adapting to a changing climate. Climate adversities pose significant threats to the natural resource base critical for agriculture, amplifying production risks and diminishing the resilience of farmers and rural communities. As climate change increasingly impacts these resources, adopting location-specific integrated natural resource management becomes imperative for heightened productivity and resilience against erratic climatic events. Active participation of small farmers is crucial, employing participatory farming system processes to empower them and share insights. Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) models, developed by ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, offer climate resilience by providing stable incomes and livelihoods during extreme weather events. Seventy-one prototype IFS models and 63 farmer-participatory refined systems showcase resilience, offering stability in income and livelihood during climate extremes like droughts, floods, and cyclones. Incorporating thermophilic anaerobic digestion for biogas and composting transforms animal waste into valuable resources, contributing to climate-resilient farming. Diversification of production systems through crop rotations, crop-livestock associations, and landscaping practices, integral to location-specific IFS models, holds enormous potential for climate adaptation. Case studies like those in cyclone-affected Odisha demonstrate that farm households practicing integrated farming experience fewer losses, highlighting the efficacy of climate-resilient agricultural models. Scaling up integrated farming systems offers a transformative approach to achieving climate resilience in agriculture, emphasizing the need for diversified structures and practices tailored to specific locations and climatic scenarios. This chapter explores how IFS can effectively address these multifaceted challenges.