Integrated Farming System — A Path towards Nutritional Security: A Linear Programming Approach

The study has identified the cropping patterns, consumption patterns and nutritional contributions of the existing integrated farming system by collecting primary data from farm families for the period 2013–14 and 2014–15 and secondary data from various sources. Goat rearing has been found the major allied activity, followed by vermicomposting and dairying. Among horticultural crops, the vegetables and fruits have provided better yields. The study has found that the daily intake of fruits and vegetables, which are rich sources of micronutrients, had grossly increased and the inadequacy in consumption of cereals and vegetables, was compensated through the increased consumption of vegetables and fruits. About 50 per cent of the nutritional requirements of energy, protein and iron were taken care of by the cropping pattern comprising jowar, bajra, ragi, green leafy vegetables and a few mango trees and 30 per cent of the vitamin A requirement was met with consumption of fruits like mango. The study has concluded that a small farmer, growing and consuming a few nutritionally rich coarse cereals along with some vegetables and fruits, is able to meet the nutritional requirements of his family.