Sugarcane based integrated farming system models for enhancing farmers' income and livelihoods

Abstract

Indian agriculture plays a vital role in India's economy (54.6% of the population is engaged in agriculture contributing 17.4% to the country's Gross Value Added Product) and as a whole is undergoing several transformative changes. Growing population, changing lifestyles, expanding urbanization and accelerating climate changes are creating new challenges for national agricultural research and development. Sugarcane occupies an important position in agrarian economy of India. It is grown in diversified cropping systems under varying edaphic and climatic conditions. As a result, not only sugarcane production fluctuates over the years but also the cost per tonne of cane produced varies considerably. The different sugarcane based farming system models for enhancing the farmer's income and livelihoods, have been discussed.