Crop-Livestock Integrated Farming System for the Marginal Farmers in Rainfed Regions of Bhilwara District in Rajasthan

The present study was conducted in Mandal and Suwana block of Bhilwara district, Rajasthan to find out a sustainable and economically viable mixed farming model by integrating different components like crop, livestock and poultry on 1.5 acre land holding. A model having 2 bullocks + 1 cow + 1 buffaloe + 10 goats + 20 poultry birds along with crop cultivation was found the best with a net income of 34963/year compared to (crop cultivation) alone ( 8231/year) with a cost returns of 1: 2.33 and employment generation of 313 days. Significant amount of feed for animals was also available from the system itself. The farmyard manure from the animal component was used for manuring of crops and 30–35% savings in fertilizer use was observed in mixed farming system. From the study it is concluded that integrated farming system with 2 bullocks + 1 cow + 1 buffaloe + 10 goats along with other subsidiaries like poultry is the most beneficial system which can augment the income of marginal farmers to improve their livelihood.