Increasing income of small and marginal farm families through integrated farming system in CDR Eco-System

Abstract

This study was undertaken in Auraiya district of Uttar Pradesh in central plan of agro-climatic zone
where more than 53% of total geographical area covered under dense forests and hilly tracts. five
villages were randomly selected from all the three community development blocks of the district
with a sample size of 150 small and marginal farmers, 30 from each village. It was found that out of
the eight farming systems followed by the resource poor farming community of Auraiya district,
Rice-Wheat with a pair of bullock is the most prevalent farming system adopted by 34.0% of total
farm households followed by Rice-Wheat-livestock. Rice-Pulse-horticulture crop combination was
adopted by only 3.3% of total respondents. An on-farm-trial (OFT) to assess suitable integrated
farming system( IFS) in one ha of land for the resource poor farmers of this complex, diversified
and risk prone (CDR) central plain zone comprising of both crop (rice-green gram-early tomatoearly
cauliflower) and non-crop components (poultry-mushroom-vermi compost) was tested by
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Auraiya during 2013-14. It was found that the gap of net income between the
farming systems was Rs. 140993 rupees. BC ratio calculated was 2.82 and 1.75 of the recommended
and traditional farming systems respectively. This recommended IFS was found valid for the resource
poor farm families in central plain zone with increasing land use efficiency, sustaining livelihood
by strengthening the economic status and generating employment using the land and time
judiciously.