Design, Development and Evaluation of Different Economically Feasible Integrated Organic Farming System (IOFS) Models in Sikkim Himalayas for Livelihood Security
Shaon Kumar Das*
ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim (737 102), India
Amit Kumar
ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim (737 102), India
R.K. Avasthe
ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim (737 102), India
R. Laha
ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim (737 102), India
V.K. Mishra
ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya (793 103), India
DOI: NIL
Keywords: Agriculture, Horticulture, Integrated organic farming system, Poultry
Abstract
To solve the problems of asymmetrical economic yield returns from agricultural land, an all-inclusive, eco-friendly and collaborative method i.e., integrated organic farming system (IOFS) model was designed, developed and evaluated at different altitudes of Sikkim Himalayas for small and marginal farmers with land holding ≤ 1.2 acre. The evaluation of such different IOFS model was done by its different components like agriculture, horticulture, poultry/dairy as well as fisheries. Maize based cropping system; vegetable cultivation- open condition, polytunnel and poly shelter; integration of cattle dairy and poultry (Vanaraja), aquaculture (grass carp, american carp); large cardamom plantations; vermicompost unit; water harvesting structure (Jalkund); napier grass as fodder in the field bunds were integrated in ≤ 1.2 acre of land at different altitudes which not only increased cropping intensity by 300%, but also enhanced net return by 376 to 409% and employment for 267 to 291 days (65±10 man-days in traditional rice-/maize-based existing mono-cropping system).
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Reference
Das, S.K., Dutta, S.K., Bhutia, T.L., Laha, R., Mishra, V., 2022. Potential of Integrated Organic Farming System (IOFS) Model to Enhances Farmer’s Profitability in Sikkim. Biotica Research Today 4(11), 760-763.
Das, S.K., Prasad, S.K., Laha, R., Mishra, V.K. 2022. Zero Budget Natural Farming. Biotica Research Today 4(3), 186-189.