Integrated nutrient supply system of linked components in lowland integrated farming system

Integrated farming system comprising enterprises like cropping, fishery, poultry, pigeon and goat rearing were undertaken at Coimbatore during 1998–2000, to sustain the productivity, profitability, employment generation and nutrient recycling for lowland farms of Tamil Nadu. Among the enterprises, cropping with fish and goat integration recorded higher rice (Oryza sativa L) grain equivalent (39, 610 kg/ha) than other systems. Similarly, the best returns (Rs 126, 564) were obtained with integration of goat + fish + cropping applied with recycled fish pond silt fed with goat droppings and the same combination resulted in the highest return of Rs 493/ha/rupee invested. Crop + fish + pigeon stood next, fetching Rs 443/ha/rupee invested. Crop applied with recycled fish pond silt fed with poultry manure resulted in higher rice-grain-equivalent yield (29, 166 kg/ha) and net return (Rs 104, 231). The highest level of employment (575 man-days/ha/year) was achieved in crop + fish + goat integration. Additional nutrients gained by recycling were the highest with poultry manure (65.7, 28.4 and 25.0 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O respectively) than with goat or pigeon manure. To enhance the productivity, economic returns and employment generation for family labour, integration of crop with fish + goat or pigeon or poultry could be adopted than cultivating the crop alone under lowland situation. Better residue recycling could be achieved through integration of crop with fish + poultry than other systems.