Livelihood enhancement through Diversification: Transitioning from standalone poultry farming to integrated farming systems

Abstract

Himalayan agriculture of Uttarakhand faces severe constraints viz. fragmented landholdings, rain-fed dependency, and biotic stress, leading to low income and often migration letting farm land fallow. This case study documents the successful transition of a marginal farmer in Bageshwar district from traditional subsistence farming to a sustainable Integrated Farming System (IFS) model. Through capacity building and technical interventions by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Bageshwar, the farmer shifted from unscientific single farm enterprise (poultry farming) to a diversified system integrating poultry with high-value vegetable crops and fruit plantations. Economic analysis from 2014-15 to 2024-25 demonstrates that the IFS model provided superior stability compared to standalone poultry farming, particularly during market disruptions. While the only poultry unit has its Benefit-Cost (B:C) ratio dip to 1.87 during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-20), the IFS model buffered the shock, maintaining a B:C ratio of 2.04. The system achieved peak optimization in 2024-25 with a net return of ?,397,590 and a B:C ratio of 2.19, driven by on-farm resource recycling, value addition, and the inclusion of agri-tourism. The study concludes that IFS helps maximize profitability on marginal lands and serves as a viable strategy to ensure livelihood security and may promote reverse migration in hill ecosystems.