Sustainable economic analysis of integrated farming systems in the Mandya under southern transition zone of Karnataka for need-based technology application and capacity development

Abstract

The paper has attempted to expand the evaluation criteria of farming systems beyond profitability. The proposed methodology has been exemplified with a study conducted in a village in Nagamangala Taluk of Mandya district under Sotheren Transition Zone of Karnataka. The data on the inputs and outputs of a system and their utilization were collected through a well-structured pre-tested schedule from 40 sample farmers, in such a way that it captured the material flows into and out of the components of the given farming system. The data pertaining to Profitability and sustainability of different integrated farming systems module of Nagamangala taluk of mandya district under Southern Dry zone were analyzed. All the modules were showing positivity with respect to net income and B:C which indicates that the different integrated farming systems practiced by farmers are in profitable and sustainable condition. Among all combination of Agriculture, Horticulture crop along with livestock farming like daity, Sheep and goat rearing and fishery resulted in higher net income (Rs. 2,65,000) and BC ratio (2.95) followed by the module having Agriculture, Horticulture crop along with sericulture as other component and livestock farming like daity, Sheep and goat rearing resulted in second highest net income (Rs. 3,43,000) and BC ratio (2.75). From the study and analysing the data we can conclude that in any integrated farming system selection of different component are very important which complimentary and supplementary to each other to get higher benefit and long term sustainability. The farming systems that can minimize the need for external inputs have a key role in sustaining agricultural systems in the rainfed agriculture. Such an expanded analysis of farming systems will be useful in planning for technology generation and transfer in the Indian agriculture.