Integrated Farming System, Meaning, Features, Components, Schemes

Integrated Farming System (IFS) is an approach to agriculture in which different farming activities such as crop cultivation, livestock rearing, fisheries, and other allied activities are combined and managed together on a single farm. The main idea is to make the best use of available resources by linking these activities so that the waste of one becomes the input for another.

Integrated Farming System Features & Benefits

• Crop and Livestock Diversification
  • In an Integrated Farming System, farmers grow different types of crops along with rearing animals like cattle, poultry, or fish on the same farm.
  • This combination helps in spreading risk, because if one crop fails due to weather or pests, income from livestock or other activities can support the farmer.
  • It also creates a balanced and self-supporting farming system, where each activity complements the other.
• Efficient Use of Resources
  • IFS ensures that resources like land, water, labour, and nutrients are used in the best possible way.
  • Waste from one activity is reused in another – for example, animal dung is used as manure, crop residues can be used as animal feed.
  • This reduces dependence on external inputs like chemical fertilizers and helps in reducing farming costs.
• Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Integrated farming supports the protection of soil, water, and biodiversity.
  • Practices like organic manure use and mixed farming help in maintaining soil fertility and preventing soil erosion.
  • It also reduces water pollution and promotes sustainable use of natural resources for future generations.
• Reduction in Pests and Diseases
  • Techniques like crop rotation, intercropping, and multiple cropping are commonly used in IFS.
  • These practices naturally break the life cycle of pests and diseases, reducing their spread.
  • As a result, farmers use fewer chemical pesticides, making agriculture more eco-friendly and safe.
• Higher and More Stable Income
  • Since farmers are involved in multiple activities (crops, dairy, fishery, etc.), they have more than one source of income.
  • This reduces the chances of complete financial loss in case one activity fails.
  • It ensures regular cash flow and financial stability, especially for small and marginal farmers.
• Environment-Friendly and Sustainable Approach
  • IFS promotes natural recycling of resources and reduces the use of harmful chemicals.
  • It helps in maintaining ecological balance and reduces environmental degradation.

Components of an Integrated Farming System

• Crops (Field Crops and Fodder): Crops form the base of the farming system and include cereals (like wheat, rice), pulses, oilseeds, and fodder crops. They provide food for humans as well as feed for livestock, and crop residues can be reused as fodder or organic manure, helping in nutrient recycling.
• Livestock (Dairy and Animal Rearing): Animals such as cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep are an important part of IFS. They provide products like milk, meat, and wool, while their dung is used as organic manure or for biogas production, supporting sustainable farming.
• Poultry and Birds: Poultry farming includes rearing chickens, ducks, pigeons, and quails. It provides eggs and meat for income and nutrition, and poultry waste can be used as manure or even as feed in fish farming, creating linkages within the system.
• Aquaculture (Fish Farming): Fish farming in ponds or tanks adds another source of income and nutrition. It can be integrated with crops and livestock, where farm waste and animal dung can be used to enrich pond water and support fish growth.
• Agroforestry (Trees and Plants): Trees grown on farms include timber trees, fruit trees, and fuelwood species. They help in improving soil fertility, preventing erosion, providing shade, and giving additional income through fruits, wood, or other products.
• Auxiliary Activities (Additional Enterprises): These include activities like sericulture (silk production), mushroom farming, and beekeeping (apiary). Such activities require less space and investment but provide extra income, employment, and help in diversification of the farming system.

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Government Initiatives Supporting Integrated Farming

• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
  • Launched in 2007, it provides flexible funding to states based on their agricultural priorities.
  • Encourages area-specific integrated farming models suited to local conditions.
  • Supports activities like crop diversification, livestock development, fisheries, and infrastructure creation.
  • Plays an important role in increasing farmers’ income and reducing regional imbalances in agriculture.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)
  • Launched in 2015 with the vision of “Har Khet Ko Pani” (water to every field).
  • Promotes micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler under “Per Drop More Crop”.
  • Encourages water conservation structures such as ponds, check dams, and rainwater harvesting.
  • Supports IFS by ensuring reliable water supply for crops, livestock, and fisheries.
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
  • Focuses on making agriculture climate-resilient and sustainable.
  • Promotes Integrated Farming Systems, organic farming, and soil health management.
  • Includes components like Rainfed Area Development (RAD) and Agroforestry.
  • Aims to reduce risks from climate change and improve productivity.
• Rainfed Area Development (RAD)
  • A major component of NMSA targeting rain-dependent regions.
  • Promotes multi-enterprise farming systems including crops, livestock, fisheries, and horticulture.
  • Provides assistance for farm ponds, fodder development, and livestock units.
  • Helps farmers achieve income stability despite uncertain rainfall.
• National Livestock Mission (NLM)
  • Launched in 2014 to develop the livestock sector in a sustainable way.
  • Supports breed improvement, fodder development, and animal health services.
  • Encourages integration of livestock with crops, improving nutrient recycling and farm income.
  • Important for doubling farmers’ income and strengthening rural livelihoods.
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
  • Launched in 2020 for the holistic development of fisheries sector.
  • Promotes aquaculture, fish farming, cold storage, and market linkages.
  • Encourages integration of fisheries with agriculture (e.g., fish-cum-paddy farming).
  • Enhances income, employment, and nutritional security.
• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
  • Focuses on holistic growth of the horticulture sector (fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers).
  • Supports nursery development, post-harvest management, and cold storage.
  • Encourages farmers to include high-value crops in integrated systems.
  • Helps in income diversification and export promotion.
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
  • Promotes organic farming through cluster-based approach.
  • Encourages use of bio-fertilizers, compost, and natural inputs.
  • Strengthens IFS by linking crop production with livestock-based nutrient recycling.
  • Reduces input cost and improves soil health and environmental sustainability.
• National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
  • Focuses on chemical-free farming using local inputs.
  • Promotes techniques like Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, and mulching.
  • Encourages farmers to depend on on-farm resources, reducing external costs.
  • Supports self-sufficient and eco-friendly Integrated Farming Systems.
• Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF)
  • Promotes the concept of “Har Medh Par Ped” (trees on farm boundaries).
  • Provides support for planting trees along with crops.
  • Trees improve soil fertility, provide shade, and act as an additional income source.
  • Strengthens IFS by adding a long-term sustainable component.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
  • Established by ICAR as grassroots-level agricultural extension centres.
  • Conduct training, demonstrations, and field visits for farmers.
  • Promote integrated practices like crop-livestock-fishery systems and agroforestry.
  • Help in technology transfer and adoption of modern sustainable practices.

Challenges of Integrated Farming System

• Lack of Technical Knowledge: Integrated farming involves managing crops, livestock, fisheries, and other activities together, but many farmers do not have proper training or awareness in all these areas, making it difficult for them to handle multiple enterprises efficiently and reducing the overall effectiveness of the system.
• Shortage of Resources: Integrated farming requires adequate land, water, and labour, but most farmers in India have small landholdings, limited water availability, and sometimes a shortage of labour, which makes it challenging to adopt and sustain such a diversified farming system.
• High Initial Investment: Setting up an Integrated Farming System needs significant initial capital for building infrastructure like animal sheds, fish ponds, irrigation systems, and purchasing equipment, and small and marginal farmers often face financial constraints and lack easy access to credit facilities.
• Marketing Difficulties: Since integrated farming produces a variety of products such as milk, vegetables, fish, and eggs, farmers often struggle to find proper markets, face price fluctuations, and lack storage and transportation facilities, which leads to reduced profits and wastage of perishable goods.
• Impact of Climate Change: Changes in weather conditions such as irregular rainfall, rising temperatures, and extreme events can affect crops, livestock, and fish production, disturbing the balance of the integrated system and increasing the risks and uncertainties faced by farmers.
• Complex Management: Managing multiple farming activities at the same time is complex and requires careful planning, regular monitoring, and timely decision-making, which can be difficult for farmers, especially those with limited education or access to advisory services.
• Labour Intensive Nature: Integrated farming requires continuous labour for different activities like feeding animals, managing crops, maintaining ponds, and handling waste, which increases the workload on farmers and their families and may create social and physical stress.
• Lack of Institutional Support: Farmers often do not receive sufficient support in terms of credit, insurance, and extension services for integrated farming activities, and weak institutional mechanisms discourage them from adopting such systems on a larger scale.