Coconut based integrated farming: A climate-smart model for food security and economic prosperity

A coconut-based integrated farming system (IFS) model suited for lowlands was developed at the Integrated Farming System Research Station (IFSRS), Karamana, Kerala State, India, under Agricultural University. The area of decided as 0.2 ha, matching average per capita land availability a marginal farmer in State. Apart from major crop coconut, intercrops, such vegetables, fruit crops, spices, fodder and tuber crops were included model. allied enterprises livestock, azolla, agroforestry. Tree components comprised teak, jack, breadfruit, garcinia mango. data five years revealed that generated food products above requirement four-member family, surplus production could contribute to farmer’s income. productivity IFS enhanced ten-folds compared sole coconut same area. Plant nutrients within farm through organic recycling, which contributed substantial saving chemical fertilizers. found climate-smart because reduced use fertilizers net negative emission greenhouse gases mostly achieved This also ensure considerable employment generation. be adopted by farmers lowland tracts having similar agro-climatic features better economic returns environmental benefits.