Constraints Faced by Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) Farmers and Suggestions to Overcome the Constraints

The present investigation was carried out in Chittoor, East Godavari and Srikakulam districts of Andhra Pradesh during 2019-20. The main objective of the study was to analyze the constraints faced by the Integrated Farming Systems practising farmers. An Ex post facto research design was followed for the study. A total 189 respondents covering the three districts equally were selected for the study. The most important production linked constraints faced by the Integrated Farming Systems farmers were ‘shortage of labour’ and ‘uncertain weather conditions’. The marketing constraints faced by the farmers were ‘low remunerative price for the produce’ and ‘price fluctuations’. Major financial linked constraints as expressed by the respondents were ‘increasing rate of labour wages’ and ‘high interest rates’. Regarding management linked constraints, ‘difficulty in labour management’ and ‘difficulty in pest and disease management’ were perceived as major constraints by many of the respondents. In social and psychological constraints, ‘difficulty in overcoming stress due to continuous involvement in planning and managing the IFS unit’ and ‘lack of support and encouragement from the society for IFS farmers’ were viewed as major constraints. Among extension constraints, ‘Inadequate capacity building programmes’ and ‘lack of demonstrations to prove worthiness of technology’ were the constraints perceived by the IFS practising farmers. Suggestions were also elucidated from the respondents to overcome the constraints.