Components of Farming System / Farming-based Livelihood Systems (Part–II)

Livestock, Horticultural Crops, and Agroforestry Systems

1. Livestock Component of Farming Systems

1.1 Introduction

Livestock forms an integral part of the Indian farming system and plays a crucial role in nutritional security, income generation, draught power, manure production, and risk diversification.
In mixed farming, livestock is closely integrated with crops, creating a mutually supportive relationship — crops provide residues for feed, and animals provide manure for crops.

1.2 Importance of Livestock in Farming System

• Source of income: Regular cash flow through milk, meat, eggs, and wool.
• Nutritional security: Provides high-value protein foods.
• Manure and soil fertility: Animal dung enriches soil organic matter.
• Energy source: Draught power for ploughing and transport in rural areas.
• Risk management: Acts as a buffer against crop failure.
• Employment generation: Especially for women and marginal farmers.
• Cultural significance: Livestock are integral to traditional rural life.

1.3 Major Livestock-based Subsystems

(a) Dairy Farming

• Rearing of cattle and buffaloes primarily for milk production.
• Major dairy breeds:
  • Cattle: Sahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar, Jersey, Holstein-Friesian (crossbred).
  • Buffalo: Murrah, Mehsana, Nili-Ravi, Jaffarabadi.
• White Revolution: Led by Dr. Verghese Kurien under Operation Flood.
• India ranks 1st in the world in milk production (~220 million tonnes in 2024).
• Integrated Crop–Dairy System: Crop residues (fodder, straw) used for feed; manure used for fields.

(b) Goatry (Goat Farming)

• Called the “Poor Man’s Cow” due to low maintenance and high returns.
• Provides meat, milk, skin, and manure.
• Suitable for dryland and hilly regions.
• Important breeds: Jamunapari, Beetal, Barbari, Black Bengal, Sirohi.
• Advantages: Low investment, fast multiplication, and adaptability.

(c) Piggery

• Rearing of pigs for meat (pork) and by-products.
• Major breeds: Large White Yorkshire, Landrace, Hampshire, Ghungroo.
• Highly suitable for North-Eastern states due to pork preference.
• Advantages: High feed conversion efficiency and early maturity.
• Integrated Pig–Fish–Crop system is popular in NE India.

(d) Poultry Farming

• Production of meat and eggs from chickens, ducks, quails, etc.
• Breeds:
  • Layers (eggs): White Leghorn, IBL-80.
  • Broilers (meat): Cobb, Hubbard, Vencobb.
• Egg production (2024): ~140 billion eggs (India ranks 3rd globally).
• Integration with crops: Poultry litter as organic manure; maize as feed.

(e) Duckery (Duck Farming)

• Common in eastern and southern India (West Bengal, Kerala, Assam).
• Breeds: Khaki Campbell, Indian Runner, White Pekin.
• Integrated Rice–Fish–Duck system provides multiple outputs and pest control.
• Ducks feed on insects, snails, and leftover grains in paddy fields.

1.4 Integrated Livestock-based Farming Systems

2. Horticultural Crops in Farming Systems

2.1 Introduction

Horticulture refers to the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, plantation crops, and medicinal plants.
It contributes significantly to farm diversification, employment, nutrition, and export earnings.
India is the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world after China.

2.2 Importance of Horticulture in Farming Systems

• High returns per unit area.
• Employment generation (especially for women).
• Nutritional and food security: Provides vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
• Export potential: Mango, banana, grapes, pomegranate, and spices.
• Support to processing industries: Juice, jam, pickle, etc.
• Environmental benefits: Trees reduce erosion, sequester carbon, and stabilize soil.

2.3 Classification of Horticultural Crops

2.4 Role of Horticulture in Integrated Farming

• Agri-Horti System: Crops + Fruit trees (e.g., Mango + Pulse/Vegetable)
• Horti-Pastoral System: Fruit trees + Pasture (e.g., Guava + Fodder Grass)
• Horti-Silvi System: Fruit trees + Forestry species.
• Agro-Horti-Forestry: Combination of agricultural crops, fruit trees, and forest species.

2.5 Government Initiatives

• National Horticulture Mission (NHM, 2005) – to promote holistic growth.
• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH, 2014).
• Cluster-based approach: Promotes specific fruit/vegetable clusters for export.

3. Agroforestry Systems

3.1 Introduction

Agroforestry is a sustainable land-use system where trees or woody perennials are grown in association with crops and/or livestock on the same land unit.
It optimizes productivity, profitability, and ecological stability.

Definition (ICRAF, 1982): “Agroforestry is a dynamic, ecologically based natural resource management system that integrates trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape to diversify and sustain production for increased social, economic, and environmental benefits.”

3.2 Objectives of Agroforestry

• Enhance and sustain farm productivity and income.
• Provide fuelwood, fodder, timber, fruits, and green manure.
• Reduce soil erosion and improve fertility.
• Sequester carbon and mitigate climate change.
• Maintain biodiversity and ecological balance.

3.3 Major Types of Agroforestry Systems

3.4 Benefits of Agroforestry

• Economic: Diversified income sources from timber, fruit, and fodder.
• Ecological: Reduces wind erosion, improves microclimate, enhances biodiversity.
• Nutrient Cycling: Tree litter adds organic matter and nutrients.
• Sustainability: Maintains long-term soil health and moisture retention.
• Carbon Sequestration: Helps mitigate global warming.

3.5 National Agroforestry Policy (2014)

• India became the first country in the world to adopt a National Agroforestry Policy (NAP-2014).
• Objectives:
  1. Integrate trees into farming systems.
  2. Promote livelihood security and climate resilience.
  3. Simplify tree-planting regulations.
  4. Enhance institutional support and research.

3.6 Agroforestry Models in India

• Poplar + Wheat System: Common in western UP, Haryana, Punjab.
• Eucalyptus + Paddy: South India.
• Teak + Turmeric: Central India.
• Agroforestry in NE Hills: Alder-based and bamboo-based systems.
• Silvi-pastoral system: In dryland areas for fodder and soil conservation.

4. Integration of Components in Farming Systems