Sustainable Agriculture: Long term Integrated cropping Models
Integrated Farming System (IFS).
AF Ecology Centre is developing some rainfed demonstration farms suitable (with farmers) to Anantapur agro – ecological conditions. Integrated Farming System (IFS) is one of them. In this model, we are integrating annual crops, conditions tree crops and animals. In this model annual crops, fruit trees, vegetables cultivation, raising of fodder and fodder trees rearing of small ruminants or dairy animals are integrated and synergized. This will provide sustainable income to the family and takes care of food and nutritional security.
AF organized 43 IFS plots of 25 acres each with 43 poor rainfed farmers in 8 mandals across 230 villages. 7604 fruit (includes 4 types)were planted 47,865 seeds were dibbled with forest tree species for fodder and biomass. 7252 fruit plants survived (95% to the planned 7604).
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Bio-intensive Farming System in Rainfed Areas (BIFSRA) (Dr. Rupela Model)
This is the unique model developed by Dr. O.P. Rupela a scientist from ICRISAT and he works as consultant to FAO and to many national and international organizations. His focus is on increasing soil carbon by mulching with green matter which is possible only through raising of biomass plants abundantly in alleys and on borders. Simultaneously his stress on integrating rainfed fruit trees which are a sustainable source of income to farmers. It aims at producing sufficient quantity of bio-mass and use it for mulching the soil surface, which protects soil from prolonged exposure to sunlight, conserves moisture, smothers the weeds and protects the soil fauna and flora. For speedy digestion of bio-mass Amruthjal is used to inoculate bacteria that will enhance the process of decomposition rapidly.
8 demonstrations plots have been were organized with 8 farmers of 2.5 acres each in 8 mandals.1,460 fruit plants (four varieties) have been planted. 27,810 bio-mass plants have been planted.
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Multiple Fruit Tree Crops (MFTC).
AF has been vehemently popularizing dry land (rainfed) horticulture since 1986 as this is going to be an insurance against droughts to rainfed farmers. As Anantapur is a very drought prone district, suitable rainfed fruit trees are less prone to droughts like mango, tamrind, custard apple etc. . Though these fruit crops have a gestation period of 4 to 5 years the farmers can go ahead with sowing of their annual crops up to like groundnut 7 to 8 years depending on the coverage of canopy. Many farmers are reaping the fruits of their hard work and now those farmers are inspiration to other farmers to go for multiple fruit crops. The only hindrance in this option is initial watering for at least for 3 years. The most popular and adopted species for Anantapur are Mango, Sapota (chikoo) Custard Apple and Amla ( goose berry) fruit plants.
772 farmers (107% of the planned 720) have grown fruit crops in 309 ha of dry land (107% of the planned 288 ha) in the year 2010.
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Intensive Bio-mass Development (IBM)
Intensive Bio-mass development on rainfed lands is demonstrated in order to produce biomass on the farm and produce farm compost on the same farm to replace chemical fertilizers.
489 farmers were covered. 466 ha has been covered (with dibbling of biomass plants. 392850 seed dibbles (85% to the planned 460000 dibbles). 263744 plants survived (67% to the planned 460000 plants)
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