TYPOLOGY ANALYSIS OF MARGINAL AND SMALL HOUSEHOLDS PRACTICING INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM IN WESTERN PARTS OF TAMIL NADU, INDIA.

ARIVUKKUMAR, N.; SHANMUGAM, P. M.; BALAJI, K.; SUMATHI, C. S.; PRAHADEESHWARAN, M.; SANGEETHA, S. P.

Addressing food security, Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) emerged, combining various enterprises within a farm for marginal and small farmers. Typology is a significant tool in analysing the diversity among IFS. We interviewed 250 marginal and small farmers following IFS during 2022-2023 for typology assessment in the western zone of Tamil Nadu, India. Multivariate statistical analysis resulted in four distinct farm types i.e., type-1. Marginal farmers with diversified crops dominated by cereals, less owned area, a smaller number of livestock and lower income constitutes (38.4%), type-2. Marginal farmers with diversified crops dominated by fodder crops, medium number of livestock and high livestock income contributes (29.6%), type-3. Marginal farmers with various crops dominated by cash crops, medium number of livestock and medium income contributes (22.4%) and type-4. Small farmers with various crops dominated by plantation crops, higher owned area, medium number of livestock and higher income contributes (9.6%). Constraint analysis was done for various crops and livestock production systems in each farm type. To overcome these constraints, socially acceptable interventions were given to each farm type. The study advocated that the findings of typology and constraint analysis contribute to suitable interventions for specific locations.

CASH crops; AGRICULTURE; TROPICAL crops; FODDER crops; MULTIVARIATE analysis

Applied Ecology & Environmental Research, 2024, Vol 22, Issue 4, p3603

1589-1623

Academic Journal

10.15666/aeer/2204_36033627