Integrated nutrient supply system of linked components in lowland ) I ) integrated farming system ai

Abstract

lntegrated 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 kglha) than other systems. Similarly, the best re turns (Rs 126,564) were obtained with integration of goat fish cropping applied with recycled fish pond s lt 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 poul try 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, P,O, and K,O 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.