UNIT I: Farming System
Farming System is the integration of crops, livestock and allied enterprises on a farm to increase
productivity, profitability and sustainability. Scope includes crop production, dairy, poultry, fisheries,
horticulture, agroforestry, mushroom cultivation, beekeeping and vermicomposting. Importance:
efficient use of resources, year-round employment, higher income, reduced risk and environmental
protection. Types include subsistence, commercial, individual, cooperative, rainfed, irrigated,
mixed, specialized, diversified and integrated farming. Factors affecting farming include climate,
rainfall, soil, water, markets, labour, capital, technology and government policy. Main components
are crops, livestock, poultry, fisheries, agroforestry, beekeeping, mushroom and vermicompost.
Proper maintenance involves balanced nutrition, irrigation, disease control, timely operations and
waste recycling.
UNIT II: Cropping Systems
Cropping System is the sequence and arrangement of crops grown on a field. Cropping Pattern
refers to the proportion of area under different crops in a region. Multiple Cropping means growing
more than one crop in a year and includes sequential cropping, intercropping, mixed cropping, relay
cropping and ratoon cropping. Efficient cropping systems improve productivity, soil fertility and
profit. Evaluation tools include Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), Cropping Intensity, Production
Efficiency, Water Use Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Benefit-Cost Ratio. Allied enterprises such
as dairy, poultry, fishery, goat farming, mushroom and beekeeping provide additional income and
employment.
UNIT III: Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable Agriculture satisfies present food needs without reducing future productivity. Major
problems include soil erosion, nutrient depletion, pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss.
Indicators are soil fertility, organic matter, water quality, productivity and profitability. Adaptation
measures include drought tolerant varieties, crop diversification and water harvesting. Mitigation
includes agroforestry, organic farming, reduced tillage and efficient fertilizer use. Conservation
Agriculture is based on minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and crop rotation. HEIA
uses high external inputs, LEIA minimizes external inputs and LEISA combines low external inputs
with sustainability practices.
UNIT IV: Integrated Farming System (IFS)
IFS integrates crops, livestock and allied enterprises to recycle resources and maximize income.
Objectives are sustainable production, employment, nutrient recycling and risk reduction.
Characteristics include diversification, enterprise integration and environmental protection.
Components include crops, dairy, poultry, fishery, horticulture, agroforestry, mushroom,
vermicompost and biogas. Advantages are increased productivity, higher income, improved soil
health, reduced pollution and better resource use. IFS models vary according to agro-climatic
zones.
UNIT V: Resource Use Efficiency
Resource Use Efficiency means obtaining maximum output with minimum resources such as land,
water, labour and energy. Optimization techniques include precision farming, efficient irrigation,
integrated nutrient management and proper farm planning. Resource cycling converts crop
residues into livestock feed, animal dung into biogas and compost, and compost back into crop
fields. Energy flows among enterprises, making farms more sustainable. Farming systems improve
environmental quality by conserving soil, water and biodiversity. Field visits help students
understand practical IFS models.
Important Definitions
Farming System: Integration of farm enterprises. Cropping System: Sequence of crops on the same
land. Cropping Pattern: Distribution of crops in an area. Multiple Cropping: Growing more than one
crop in a year. Sustainable Agriculture: Agriculture that conserves resources for future generations.
Integrated Farming System: Combination of interconnected farm enterprises. Resource Use
Efficiency: Maximum production with minimum inputs. Conservation Agriculture: Minimum tillage,
residue cover and crop rotation.