Location-specific integrated farming system models for resource recycling and livelihood security for smallholders

The present investigation was carried out in a holistic mode to study the interactions among integrated farming system (IFS) components and develop design sustainable IFS model which is technologically sound, economically viable, environmentally benign, socially acceptable for middle Indo-Gangetic Plains. For efficient utilization of farm resources enhance income per unit area land, 10 models have been developed at farmers’ fields Patna, Nalanda, Vaishali districts Bihar, India, during 2016–2021, involving like crops, poultry, cattle, goat, mushroom farming, fishery, duckery different combinations. Out integrations, three primary cropping systems prevailing state were undertaken seven other synergistic mode. Each allocated an 0.8 ha (2,000 m²), viz., (i) rice–wheat, (ii) rice–maize, (iii) rice–maize–moong (crop), (iv) crop + vegetable (v) fish (vi) (vii) duck (viii) duck, (ix) mushroom, (x) poultry. To sustain productivity soil health, inorganic fertilizers combined with organic wastes, obtained from various IFS, recycled pond silts, poultry manure, goat manure cow dung as farmyard manures (FYMs), composted residues, vermicompost applied crops grown under models. nutrient content increased manifolds after recycling compost vermicompost. Residue revealed that integration resulted higher net returns (increased by USD13) comparison dropping fed fishes. Due droppings, plant additional quantity 56.5 kg N, 39.6 P 2 O 5 , 42.7 K added study. Crop had maximum rice grain equivalent yield (RGEY), returns, employment opportunity (467 man-days/year) followed integration. sustainability index (0.77) energy gain (95,770 MJ) also found highest duck+ indicating optimum efficiency all integrations region.