Integrated organic farming system approach to sustain productivity, income and employment of marginal farm holdings of Southern India

One-acre integrated organic farming system (IOFS) model for irrigated upland ecosystem of Tamil Nadu was developed in at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, to cater the needs of marginal farmers of Tamil Nadu, Southern India, and was evaluated continuously for 6 years from 2013–2019. The system consists of crops, livestock, fodder, agroforestry, pest-repellent cafeteria, composting and bee keeping. The system productivity on expand was 3,034 kg/ha/year. Kharif crops shares 45% of the net returns compared to the winter season (rabi) crops. Total 34 tonnes crop residues were recycled through which revenue of 11,762 was realized. About 29 tonnes of green fodder was produced per annum, which met the fodder requirement of the livestock for 342 days. Annually 1,742 litres milk was produced to assure an annual income of 37,426. Annually 11.8 tonnes cowdung and 9,217 litres. cow urine were obtained with the nutritional value of 5,586. On an average, 2004 kg compost was produced through which 3,007 was realized. Net income of 5,544 was realized through boundary plantations. From the IOFS model, a total mean annual net income realized was 72,095. Through recycling of residues and manures 12% of the total cost of the model was saved. The relative share of different components in the order of merit was livestock (43%), crops (29%), fodder (20%), boundary horticultural crops (6%) and compost (2%). The benefit: cost ratio of the IOFS model was 2.24, with an annual employment generation of 571 man-days.