In the heart of India’s agricultural landscape, a groundbreaking study led by Raghuveer Singh of the ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research in Modipuram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, is challenging conventional wisdom and offering a beacon of hope for small and marginal farmers. Published in The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, the research delves into the transformative potential of on-farm research within integrated farming systems, a approach that could revolutionize how we think about agricultural productivity and sustainability.
The global population surge has placed immense pressure on agriculture, driving a shift towards smallholder farming systems. Historically, agricultural technologies have been tailored for large, mechanized farms, leaving smallholders behind. This disparity is particularly stark in India, where small and marginal farmers, cultivating less than 2 hectares of land, make up nearly a quarter of the world’s total. These farmers, who constitute over 80% of the global farming population, face significant challenges in achieving livelihood security.
Singh’s research highlights the limitations of horizontal intensification—expanding farmland—which is impractical given the constancy of land resources. Instead, the solution lies in vertical intensification through diversification, exemplified by the Integrated Farming System (IFS). IFS integrates various farming enterprises, allowing the by-products of one enterprise to serve as inputs for another. This approach enables resource recycling, efficient use of labor and space, and reduced market dependency.
However, implementing on-station IFS models directly at farmers’ fields is impractical due to high initial costs. This is where the All India Coordinated Research Project on Integrated Farming Systems–On-Farm Research (AICRP-Integrated-IFS-OFR) comes into play. By targeting critical inputs within existing farming systems, this approach offers a promising alternative. “The key is to intervene at the right points within the existing system,” Singh explains. “This way, we can achieve significant improvements without overwhelming the farmers with high initial costs.”
The results are staggering. By investing just ₹7,889, this approach achieved an 86% increase in net income within two years of implementation (2022–24). This success story underscores the potential of on-farm research to improve the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers effectively. “We are not just talking about theoretical benefits,” Singh emphasizes. “We have seen real, tangible improvements in the lives of farmers who participated in our study.”
The implications of this research are far-reaching. For policymakers and governments, it offers a roadmap for supporting small and marginal farmers without the need for large-scale land acquisitions. For researchers, it opens up new avenues for on-farm research, focusing on critical inputs and sustainable practices. For the energy sector, the efficient use of resources and reduced market dependency could lead to lower energy consumption and a more resilient food supply chain.
As we look to the future, Singh’s work could shape the development of more inclusive and sustainable agricultural practices. By focusing on vertical intensification and integrated farming systems, we can address the challenges faced by small and marginal farmers, ensuring food security and improving livelihoods. This research, published in The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, is a testament to the power of innovative thinking and on-farm research in transforming agriculture for the better.