Integrated Farming Systems for small and marginal farmers' prosperity Sustainable agriculture road map for India
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UK Behera
Contd from previous issue
Such a mosaic of plant and crop species contributes for a better quality of life for the farmers by providing various items of food, fodder and fuel for the farm family. Rearing of cows, goats, etc. along with fish in farm ponds helps balance the diet of the farm family. Such multi-enterprise farming plays a vital role in making the farming system sustainable through different cropping, biodiversity and ecosystem services. Intensification of farming has a clear impact on biodiversity (Amjath-Babu and Kaechele, 2015). The process of intensification includes the combined effects of ploughing frequency, fertilizer and pesticides applications, and specialization of production.
The traditional farming systems of India are relatively stable and in equilibrium. The species complexes in traditional systems exemplify the co-existence of plants, humans, draught animals, friendly birds, beneficial insects, pollinators, earth-worms, soil micro-organisms and bio-control agents. Agricultural biodiversity and associated traditional knowledge are essential to the climate change resilience of these landscapes but their roles are largely overlooked by researches and policy makers.
(To be contd)
Contd from previous issue
Such a mosaic of plant and crop species contributes for a better quality of life for the farmers by providing various items of food, fodder and fuel for the farm family. Rearing of cows, goats, etc. along with fish in farm ponds helps balance the diet of the farm family. Such multi-enterprise farming plays a vital role in making the farming system sustainable through different cropping, biodiversity and ecosystem services. Intensification of farming has a clear impact on biodiversity (Amjath-Babu and Kaechele, 2015). The process of intensification includes the combined effects of ploughing frequency, fertilizer and pesticides applications, and specialization of production.
The traditional farming systems of India are relatively stable and in equilibrium. The species complexes in traditional systems exemplify the co-existence of plants, humans, draught animals, friendly birds, beneficial insects, pollinators, earth-worms, soil micro-organisms and bio-control agents. Agricultural biodiversity and associated traditional knowledge are essential to the climate change resilience of these landscapes but their roles are largely overlooked by researches and policy makers.
(To be contd)