Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

SCIENTIFIC APPROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE THROUGH INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM

A. P.S. Dhaliwal, Palwinder Singh, Vinay Singh, Sarvpriya Singh and Gurmeet Singh Dhillon

Abstract

The present study was conducted at PAU, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Bathinda, Punjab for the evaluation of the performance of ‘Integrated Farming System’ (IFS). This IFS system includes the field crops (Grains, oilseed, pulses and fodders), livestock (Dairy animals and poultry birds), kitchen garden, orchard, biogas plant, vermi-compost unit, mushroom unit, beekeeping unit and boundary plantation of forest trees that makes the system: economically viable, socially supportive and ecologically sound. These components were interlinked with each other and provide the benefits to one or more components and vice-versa. These links and benefits enhanced the farm productivity and ensure sustainability, profitability and balanced food availability. After adoption of advanced practices in each component net profit of four IFS systems increased by 8.6%, 8.8% , 8.2% and 6.3 % respectively in 2019-20 as compared to 2018-19. This eco-friendly model also reduces the environmental degradation by minimizing the use of Agro-chemicals. Due to the flexibility of this model, farmers can opt any combination of components as per their requirement and purpose rather than mono-culture practices. This Ifs system improves the economic condition of farmers as well as soil health condition of farmer’s field.