Impact of Integrated Farming Systems on Agricultural Income in Bhadrak District, Odisha

Author: Subrat Pattanaik, Khitish Sarangi, Sarbanarayan Mishra, Abhiram Dash and Arati Priyadarshini

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Abstract

A study was conducted in core blocks (Chandbali, Dhamnagar and Dhusuri) of Bhadrak district of Odisha to evaluate the impact of integrated farming systems (IFS) on agricultural income. The objective of this study was to identify the most practiced IFS, evaluate the effectiveness of IFS and the problems and prospects of IFS farmers of Bhadrak district of Odisha. The primary data was collected by interacting with 110 farmers randomly using a well structured and pretested interview schedule. The percentage method was used for the farmers practicing various farming system. Economic viability was assessed through a comparative analysis of income generation where analytical tools such as benefit cost ratio, relative economic efficiency and marginal benefit cost ratio was used. Through this study, the challenges faced by farmers in adopting and implementing IFS was identified and ranked with the help of Garrett’s Ranking Technique. Out of the 6 identified IFS combinations, Crop - Dairy (FS-I) was highly practiced with 30 per cent of respondents involved and the least practiced was Crop - Dairy - Fishery - Mushroom - Horticulture (FS-VI) with 2.73 per cent of respondents involved and was more profitable than other farming systems having BCR of 3.60 and relative economic efficiency of 198.33 per cent. The Farming System- VI (Crop - Dairy - Fishery - Mushroom - Horticulture) in one acre of land is significantly more profitable with marginal benefit cost ratio of 11.59 compared to Non-IFS farmers. Issues faced by the farmers such as “High cost of inputs to take up different farm enterprises”, and “Scarcity and high cost of labour” was ranked I and II respectively. Ultimately, this research aims to enhance agricultural income, improve livelihoods, and foster sustainable rural development in Bhadrak district of Odisha and will contribute to policy and institutional support mechanisms required to promote and scale up IFS practices.

Keywords

IFS, Benefit cost ratio (BCR), Relative economic efficiency (REE), Marginal benefit cost ratio (MBCR)

Conclusion

The purpose of this study was to analyze the most practiced Integrated Farming Systems in Bhadrak district of Odisha. Efforts were made to systematically collate the data and analyze the share of each component in different farming systems. Preliminary findings indicate that IFS implementation in the coastal district of Odisha has demonstrated major economic outcomes from various farming systems. Out of numerous farming systems practiced only six (FS-I, FS-II, FS-III, FS-IV, FS-V and FS-VI) were selected which were more sustainable and economically viable farming systems, capable of addressing the challenges posed by climate change, resource limitations, and market dynamics in Odisha conditions. The study suggests that the adoption of IFS (FS-IV, FS-III and FS-VI) can have a significant increase in farm income and can promote resilience in the face of disasters and climate change. Major constraints faced by IFS respondents over non IFS farmers were “High cost of inputs to take up different farm enterprises”, “Scarcity and high cost of labour” and “Management of subsidiary enterprises like dairy, sheep and goat units”. Therefore, there is a need for policymakers to promote IFS and provide the necessary support to farmers to adopt this sustainable and resilient agricultural approach.

References

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How to cite this article

Subrat Pattanaik, Khitish Sarangi, Sarbanarayan Mishra, Abhiram Dash and Arati Priyadarshini (2022). Impact of Integrated Farming Systems on Agricultural Income in Bhadrak District, Odisha. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 1350-1354.