Integrated animal and cropping systems in single and multi-objective frameworks for enhancing the livelihood security of farmers and agricultural sustainability in Northern India
U. K. Behera A , H. Kaechele B and J. France C DA Division of Agronomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India.
B Institute of Socioeconomics, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Strasse 84, D-15374, Muencheberg, Germany.
C Centre for Nutrition Modelling, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
D Corresponding author. Email: jfrance@uoguelph.ca
Animal Production Science 55(10) 1338-1346 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14526
Submitted: 29 April 2014 Accepted: 3 September 2014 Published: 2 December 2014
Abstract
Fast degrading and declining land, water availability, biodiversity, environment and other natural resources, together with shrinking farm returns and reduced crop productivity caused by continuous and intensive cultivation of rice-wheat systems, necessitate diversification of farming in Northern India. Integrated farming systems (IFS) involving animals (livestock, fish, etc.) and cropping (cereals, trees, etc.) are recognised as an alternative for preserving ecosystems and enhancing livelihood security. A study was therefore undertaken under Northern Indian conditions to develop IFS models for various sizes of farm and to compare these models with the existing rice-wheat system for sustainability and profitability. The IFS models were developed in single objective (using linear programming) and multi-objective (using compromise programming) frameworks. Multi-objective analysis provides deeper insight into the problem as it caters directly for the multi-faceted needs of the farmers. These parallel methodologies offer a novel approach to modelling IFS to draw different farming scenarios for comparison. The IFS strategies developed show the potential to generate a greater farm income than with existing rice-wheat cropping for all sizes of farm. The study revealed that IFS offer more perspectives for an economically viable and sustainable agriculture for typical farms in Northern India.
Additional keywords: compromise programming, integrated farming systems, linear programming, Northern Indian conditions.
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