Farming System Research (FSR) and AKIS

Historical Background & Evolution

• 1960s–1970s: Traditional commodity-based research (wheat, rice, maize) under Green Revolution improved yields but largely ignored smallholder farmers’ complex and diverse needs.
• 1972: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico, introduced the Farming Systems Perspective, recognizing small farmers’ resource constraints.
• Norman Borlaug and colleagues emphasized farming systems for resource-poor farmers.
• Late 1970s–1980s:
  • International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT, India) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI, Philippines) institutionalized Farming Systems Research (FSR).
  • Integrated with Extension → FSR/E.
• India:
  • 1972: ICRISAT started FSR in SAT region.
  • 1978: ICAR initiated Operational Research Projects (ORPs).
  • 2000s: Government promoted Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) models under NATP, NAIP, ATMA, and NFSM.

Farming System Research (FSR)

Definition: Farming System Research is a holistic, farmer-oriented, location-specific, and problem-solving approach to agricultural research and extension.
It studies the farm as a whole system, including crops, livestock, trees, fishery, household, and off-farm enterprises, instead of focusing on a single crop/component.

Objectives:

1. To increase overall farm productivity, profitability, and sustainability.
2. To utilize resources efficiently (land, labour, capital, energy, water).
3. To integrate crops, livestock, horticulture, fisheries, agro-forestry, etc.
4. To address farmers’ real-life constraints (technical, economic, social).
5. To ensure environmental sustainability and better livelihood security.

Key Features:

• Interdisciplinary approach (agronomy, animal science, economics, sociology).
• On-farm research with farmer participation.
• Systems perspective (input-output linkages).
• Focus on resource-poor small & marginal farmers.

Farming System Research & Extension (FSR/E)

Definition: FSR/E integrates research with extension so that technologies are generated, tested, adapted, and transferred in collaboration with farmers.

It bridges the gap between research institutes → extension agencies → farmers.

Process / Steps:

1. Diagnosis – Identify farmers’ needs, problems, and constraints.
2. Design – Develop alternative solutions/technologies.
3. Testing – On-farm trials with farmers.
4. Evaluation – Technical, economic, and social feasibility.
5. Extension / Dissemination – Successful technologies spread through extension networks.

Importance of FSR/E

• Generates need-based technologies → farmer-centric.
• Improves technology adoption (since tested under farmers’ conditions).
• Strengthens research-extension-farmer linkages.
• Enhances farm income, food security, and sustainability.
• Provides a basis for farming system diversification & intensification.

Examples in India

• ICAR’s Farming System Research (FSR) Projects: Initiated in the 1970s under All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs).
• ICAR-KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendras): Demonstrating farming system models like crop-livestock-horticulture integration.
• Integrated Farming System (IFS) models:
  • Rice–Fish–Duck farming in Assam.
  • Sugarcane + Dairy + Vermicompost in Western UP.
  • Coconut + Cocoa + Banana + Poultry in Kerala.

Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (AKIS)

Definition

• AKIS is a system that links people and institutions to promote mutual learning and knowledge sharing in agriculture.
• It integrates research, education, extension, and farmers for generating, sharing, and utilizing agricultural knowledge.

According to FAO (1998): “AKIS is the system of organizations and individuals involved in the generation, transformation, transmission, storage, retrieval, integration, diffusion and utilization of knowledge and information, together with the institutions and policies that affect the way different agents interact, communicate, exchange and use knowledge.”

Key Components of AKIS

1. Research System – Agricultural universities, ICAR institutes, research stations.
2. Extension System – State Department of Agriculture, KVKs, ATMA, NGOs.
3. Education System – Agricultural universities, colleges, training centers.
4. Farmers & Farmer Organizations – End-users and active partners in innovation.
5. Private Sector & NGOs – Agribusiness companies, ICT-based platforms, service providers.

Functions of AKIS

• Strengthening linkages among research, extension, and farmers.
• Facilitating two-way communication (research ↔ farmers).
• Promoting innovation and adoption of technologies.
• Ensuring knowledge flow to improve productivity and sustainability.
• Supporting policy formulation in agriculture.

History & Evolution

• 1970s–1980s: Traditional Transfer of Technology (ToT) model → one-way flow (research → extension → farmers).
• 1990s: Realization that farmers’ knowledge is equally important.
• 1998: FAO promoted AKIS/RD (Agricultural Knowledge & Information Systems for Rural Development).
• Later, evolved into Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) concept, emphasizing multi-stakeholder innovation.

Example of AKIS in India

• ICAR – KVKs – ATMA – Farmers network acts as a practical AKIS.
• National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A) links research stations, universities, and farmers via ICT.
• Farmer FIRST Programme (FFP, 2016) by ICAR strengthens research-extension-farmer linkage.

Fact:

• FAO (1998) officially introduced AKIS/RD framework for improving rural livelihoods.
• AKIS is broader than TOT, focusing on interactive knowledge exchange rather than one-way transfer