Sustainable economic analysis of integrated farming systems in the Mandya under southern transition zone of Karnataka for need-based technology application and capacity development

Introduction

India's economy is predominantly driven by agriculture, with small and marginal farmers at its core. Since the Green Revolution, Indian farmers have largely shifted towards single enterprisebased agricultural systems, which have led to deteriorating soil health, increased risk of crop failure, and declining productivity. As population growth, urbanization, and income levels rise, the demand for animal-based food products is also increasing, further intensifying the competition between crop cultivation and livestock production. This situation highlights the urgent need for a systems-based approach that can meet the growing food demand without disrupting ecological balance. The integrated farming system (IFS) presents a promising solution for addressing these challenges, particularly for small and marginal farmers with limited resources. It offers a sustainable way to enhance productivity, reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers, and ensure ecological soundness. Additionally, it promotes efficient resource management and supports income stability and nutritional security for farmers. In this context the present study was conducted on Economic Analysis of Integrated Farming Systems in the Mandya district for need-based Technology Application and Capacity Development with the following objectives 1. To identify the existing integrated farming system Nagamangala tulaku of Mandya district under Southeren Dry Zone 2.

To study the profitability and sustainability of farming 3. To study the source of technologies, critical inputs availability and accessibility of technical guidance to the farmers. 4. To develop need based technology matrices and appropriate components to strengthening IFS models based on the study outcome

Weather parameter

Mandya comes under Southern dry zone and it has arid and dry climate for most of the year except during winter which is slightly cool but mild. It experiences bimodal rainfall with one peak at May/June and the other in September/October. Nagamangala, and Srirangapatna Taluks of district receive lowest rainfall. South West monsoon showers occupy the major part of annual rains. They are very much erratic and scanty. Dry spells prevail from the 2 nd week of July and extend up to end of August, sometimes even up to first fortnight of September. This causes severe moisture stress to early sown crops and affects the crop growth and yields. Mean minimum temperature ranges from 14 o to 30 o C, but occasionally touches 12 o C during December. Mean maximum temperature ranges from 27 o to 39 o C which is mostly noted in May month. This track has relatively low humidity. Wind velocity is high during July/August and February/March months. This Zone receives substantial rainfall, averaging 750 mm annually. The rainy day's ranges from 45 days to 64 days in the zone. This rainfall is primarily influenced by the south west and north east monsoons, which play a significant role in sustaining agricultural activities.

Major soil type

Red sandy loam soil is predominantly prevailing which are ranging from red gravelly to red loamy soils in Mandya districts, red loam derived from granite, gneiss and schists.

Source of irrigation

The river Cauvery is the major source for an extensive irrigation system (parts of Mandya and Mysuru district) and for hydroelectric power. The river has supported irrigated agriculture for centuries and served as the lifeblood of the ancient kingdoms and modern cities of South India. River Hemavathi being the main tributary of Cauvery joins Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) at Srirangapatna. River Kabini (also called as Kapila) originates in Heggadadevankote flows through Nanjangud and joins cauvery at T. N. Pura (Thirumalakoodala Sangama). It provides irrigation to parts of Krishnarajpet before joining cauvery near KRS Shimsha, a seasonal river provides irrigation to limited area in parts of Maddur and Malavalli taluks and finally joins Cauvery near Bluff (Panditehalli) in 18 Malavalli taluk. A Hydro-electric generating station is located at Hilakul provides irrigation for parts of Channapatna taluk.

Land holding and cropping intensity

Average Cropping Intensity for the Mandya (Southern Dry Zone) is 136% (state average -121.09) indicating the prevalence of multiple cropping and better irrigation facilities. Pattern of land allocation for different crop in Mandya (Southern Dry Zone) marginal farmers devoted the maximum land to vegetables and fruits (22.95%), followed by pulses (22.34%) and cereals (19.23%) whereas the lowest area was allocated for plantation crops (3.11%). However, small, medium and large farmers allocated maximum land to commercial crops followed by vegetables and fruits and cereals, whereas the lowest area was allocated for pulses and millets.

Major crops

The Mandya (Southern Dry Zone) has major cereal crops viz. Paddy, Ragi, Maize, Sugarcane, Horse gram, Cowpea, Black gram. Among the horticultural crops coconut, vegetables, banana are main crops. Paddy is cultivated over 146283.09 hectares, making it one of the predominant crops of the Southern Dry Zone. The total production of the zone is 672271 tonnes. The productivity of the Zone is 4320 kg/ha, while that of Mandya is 4540 kg/ha. Second important cereal crop of the Zone is Ragi. Which occupied 152524 ha area with production of 190335 and productivity was 11204 kh/ha. Mandya district alone occupied 63583 ha area in the Southern Dry Zone. Pulse crop viz Cowpea, blackgram, Horse gram, are majorly growing in the district. In southern dry Zone Horse gram covered the area of about 57309, with a production of 38868 tonnes and productivity is 618 kg/ha. Amon the horticulture crop tomato occupied an area of about 10847 ha with a production of 152270 metric tonnes and productivity was 12739 kg/ha. Coconut is important plantation of Mandya district covered highest area of 67106 ha area with a production of 600934 thousand nuts and productivity was 8955 nuts/ha.

Livestock Population and productivity

The Southern Mandya district has a diverse livestock population contributing significantly to the region's agricultural economy and livelihoods. Mandya district has the highest cattle, pig, poutry and has highest fish production of 23019 metric tonnes.

Farming system

The cropping system in Mandya district Rice-based cropping systems. These include rice-rice, rice-pulses, rice-fallow, ricevegetables, and rice-maize. Among the horticultural crop coconut was occupied area followed by different vegetable crops like tomato, brinjal, cabbage and flower crops.

Material and Methods

Indian agricultural landscape is continually facing challenges due to environmental changes, market fluctuations, and the pursuit of improved livelihoods. In response, integrated farming systems (IFS) have emerged as a promising strategy to address these multifaceted challenges in agriculture, particularly in regions vulnerable to environmental uncertainties. Small farmers usually adopt IFS models integrating agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fisheries. However, the specific components within IFS vary significantly based on agro-climatic conditions, land types, socioeconomic statuses of farmers, and market dynamics (Paramesh et al., 2022) [2] . The IFS indicates potential for enhancing farmer well-being and global food production. Hence the study was undertaken to assess the integrated farming system existing in the Nagamangala taluk of mandya district, Karnataka made through survey.

Sample and sampling technique

To assess the various aspects of integrated farming system followed in the particular agro-ecological situation including present status, income generation and profitability. The farmers were selected based on the components they were following and have adopted in the farm.

Data collection

The prepared questionnaire was used to collect the necessary information to record all the required data for the study from the respondents to identify the IFS adopted, its advantages, drawbacks and income deviations. Two types of data viz., baseline data -general information of the taluks and detailed data of respondents including basic information of the farm and nutritional aspects of the family was collected via discussion with the respondents.

Analytical Technique

The components existing the farm primarily component wise, the total cost and returns were estimated and then evaluated as per the integrated farming system's average total cost, return, gross margin and benefit cost ratio. Later the data was compelled component wise from all the talukas and descriptive statistics (vis., frequency and percentages) were used to analyse the demographic and socio economic characteristics of the respondents. The data was processed using MS Excel and findings interpreted to identify the socio-economic variables, the major IFS system adopted by farmers and reasons for preferring IFS and constraints. The study also highlighted the research gaps prevailing and proposed research for development of technology. Similarly the extension gaps occurring in IFS and priorities and strategies to be adopted based on perception by farmers and research scientist. Hence providing the suitable recommendations for the technology development through the introduction of new varieties, technology and capacity development programmes. Results: All the randomly selected for the study were male respondent (97.05 %), only 2.50 % were female respondent. Results: Data with respect to caste indicated in table 2 shows that majority of selected farmer belonging to OBC (72.50) followed by General (15) and lastly 10 % farmers were belonging ST&SC. Results: Among all the subsidiary activity adopted by households the major activities among the selected IFS farmers was Dairy/livestock which accounts about 57.5 per dent followed by, Silviculture (5), sericulture (7.5 %), Fishery (7.5), poultry (7.50 %), entrepreneur (5%), apiculture (5%) and Goatary (5%). This is mainly due to major cropping system was paddy-pulse, paddy-ragi so, availability of fodder as feed is year around because of this majority of the farmers the subsidiary activity was dairy and livestock to get additional income. Results: The data pertaining to important factors considered by the farmers while selecting the existing farm system in southern dry zone the respondents have ranked regular income is firsts criteria to select IFS followed by Combination of farm enterprises for risk and Higher returns/unit area. The least importance to Customs, sentiment and believes were given by the selected farmers in zone.

Results and Discussion

Results:

The major constraints faced by the IFS farmers were ranked based on their perception. It was found that majority reported (i) High cost of inputs (seed/fertilizer/pesticides, etc.) to be the major constraint followed by (ii) Buildup of pests and diseases in IFS. (iii) Scarcity of farm labour/Labour intensive (iv) Lack of improved variety seed/planting materials/breed were ranked third by majority of the respondent inputs and wages and post-harvest loss may lead to lesser yield to farmers with higher cost of production. In case of livestock/dairy the major problems faced by farmers are lesser milk yield due imbalance in nutritional food, year around availability of green fodder which is rich in crude protein and other minerals, high cost of feed, lack of veterinary support during emergencies, timely vaccination, deworming etc were unaware by the farmers. The reduction percentage of each of the problems along with their scientific options are detailed in Table 10.

I. Research gaps

References

1. Akter S, Ahmed JU, Begum IA, Sarkar MD, Fatema K, Mahmud A, Ding S. Integrated farming system-A means of improving farmers' well-being in the wetland ecosystem of Bangladesh. Farming System. 2025;1:1-14.
2. Paramesh V, Ravisankar N, Behera U, Arunachalam V, Kumar P, Parveen K. Integrated farming system approaches to achieve food and nutritional security for enhancing profitability, employment, and climate resilience in India. Food Energy. 2021;1:1-16.