UPSC 2019 Mains GS3 Model Answer - How far is the Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production?
Mayuri
Feb, 2025
•1 min read
Q3. How far is the Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production?
Model Answer:
Introduction
An integrated farming system involves the strategic integration of multiple farming components to enhance farmers' income and promote environmental sustainability.
Body
Reduction of Chemical Inputs
- Integrated Activities: Multiple agricultural activities function as interdependent inputs.
- Cost Efficiency: Reduced reliance on chemical-based inputs lowers production costs.
- Debt Alleviation: This approach significantly alleviates the debt burden on farmers.
Sustainable Soil Health Improvement
- Recycling Practices: Enhances soil health through sustainable recycling methods.
- Chemical-Free Production: Improves agricultural output without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
Risk Mitigation
- Income Buffering: Provides financial stability during adverse weather conditions and pest attacks.
Nutritional Security
- Protein Sources: Ensures access to essential proteins through the production of eggs, meat, and fish for farming families.
Self-Reliance in Agriculture
- Achieving the 6Fs: Empower farm households to become self-reliant in Food, Fodder, Feed, Fuel, Fiber, and fertilizers.
- Retention in Agriculture: Reduces the likelihood of farmers leaving agriculture for low-wage migrant labour in cities.
- Sustaining Cultivation: Helps maintain cultivated areas, preventing a decline in agricultural production.
While integrated farming systems can enhance farmers' income and nutritional security, they face several challenges:
- Financial Constraints: Small and marginal farmers often lack the financial resources to invest in large cattle; thus, promoting smaller ruminants like goats and sheep is essential.
- Reluctance in Adoption: Farmers in non-coastal areas exhibit reluctance in adopting fisheries, pig, poultry, and duck rearing due to a lack of role models and religious perceptions.
- Lack of Support for Certain Activities: Mushroom farming and beekeeping are excluded from the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system, necessitating improved integration with food processing and hospitality industries.
- Need for Extension Services: Extension services are crucial for building farmers' skills and capacities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, addressing the challenges of integrated farming systems through financial support, role model promotion, market integration, and skill-building initiatives is essential for enhancing farmers' income and nutritional security effectively.
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