Bavajependran

Integrated Farming Model – 1 ha The proposed integrated farming model covers 1 hectare (100 m × 100 m) and is divided into five equal components of 0.2 ha each. The system integrates food crops, fodder crops, multipurpose trees, livestock and a farm pond. The different components complement one another by recycling farm resources and reducing dependence on external inputs. 1. Sorghum (Grain) + Cowpea – 0.2 ha The first 0.2 ha is allocated for sorghum grown for grain in combination with cowpea. Sorghum provides food grain and crop residues, while cowpea supplies pulses and nutritious fodder. As a legume, cowpea also contributes to soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation. The crop residues can be used as livestock feed or incorporated into the soil as organic matter. 2. Sorghum (Fodder) + Cowpea – 0.2 ha The second 0.2 ha is used for fodder sorghum intercropped with cowpea. This component provides a continuous source of green and nutritious fodder for the goats. Cowpea improves the nutritional quality of the fodder and contributes nitrogen to the soil. Thus, this section directly supports the livestock component of the farm. 3. Subabul + Kozhukattai Grass – 0.2 ha The third 0.2 ha consists of Subabul (Leucaena) with Kozhukattai grass. Subabul is a multipurpose fodder tree, while Kozhukattai grass provides perennial/long-duration fodder. Together, they provide protein-rich and bulky fodder for livestock. The tree component also helps protect the soil and contributes leaf biomass that can be recycled as organic matter. 4. Seemaikaruv​​el + Kozhukattai Grass – 0.2 ha The fourth 0.2 ha is planted with Seemaikar​​uvel (Prosopis) and Kozhukattai grass. The tree component can provide biomass and fuelwood, while the grass supplies fodder. Properly managed vegetation in this section helps reduce soil erosion, conserve soil moisture and improve the ecological stability of the farm. 5. Thalassery Goat + Farm Pond – 0.2 ha The final 0.2 ha integrates Thalassery goats with a farm pond. The goats provide meat, manure and regular income to the farmer. Goat manure can be returned to the crop fields as organic fertilizer, thereby recycling nutrients within the farm. The farm pond collects and stores rainwater for use during dry periods and can also support fish production where appropriate. Integration of the Components The major strength of this model is the recycling of resources between different enterprises: Crops → crop residues → livestock feed → goat manure → crop fields Farm pond → water storage → crop/livestock needs → improved farm productivity Thus, the model provides food, fodder, fuel, livestock products, manure and water security from the same hectare of land. Conclusion The 1-ha integrated farming model is a diversified and sustainable farming system suitable for areas where water availability is limited. Instead of depending on a single crop, it combines crops, fodder, trees, livestock and water harvesting. This helps in efficient land utilization, recycling of farm wastes, improvement of soil fertility, reduction of production risk and generation of multiple sources of income. Therefore, integrated farming can improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of small and marginal farms.

The mixed cropping system followed in Kannamangalam village, Ilayangudi Taluk, Sivagangai District, is a practical example of diversified rainfed agriculture. Chilli is maintained as the main crop, while vegetables, onion, coriander, groundnut, blackgram, bhendi and sweet potato are integrated into different parts of the field. The system not only provides vegetables for household consumption but also creates additional income through the sale of surplus produce. The main chilli crop can produce more than 1.5 tonnes per acre, with dried chilli marketed through local traders. Since chilli prices fluctuate according to demand and supply, diversification helps reduce the economic risk faced by farmers. Under favourable conditions, the farmer may obtain a gross income of around ₹2–3 lakh per acre and a net profit of more than ₹1 lakh after cultivation costs, within approximately 6–7 months. Therefore, this locally practiced mixed cropping system can be considered a productive, diversified and economically beneficial approach for rainfed farming in Sivagangai District.

dm for know more about the farming system it a system of cultivating chillies under rainfed condition where they also grow pulses as a border crop in the field they divide the field into a plot with 1 m width and convenient length in the plot they grow chillies in the rideges they grow cooriander(for seed) also they grow brinjal and tomatos also in the field they grow greens they get vegetables for their daily consumption and they also sold to near by market they get multiple income they get stable income due to duration of each crop through main crop chilly they harvest and dry they sold to trader rs.3000-5000/10kg based on the demand of the produce in the market within a 3-4 months they properly utilizes the monsoon they cultivate these crops variety grown PMK1 less cost high income dm for know about the farming system cont no:9715226234