Characterizing the diversity of Tribal farming systems for preparing the apt interventions: A case study of Western Himalayan Region"

Abstract

Small holder’s response to integrated farming systems interventions is not uniform but diverse due its heterogeneous nature. In order achieve desired impact in productivity, profitability and sustainability of tribal farming systems there is an urgent need to understand the heterogeneity and classifying them into homogenous groups. In the present study, the diversity of tribal farms was assessed using crop, livestock and income related characteristics. Using principal component analysis and cluster analysis for 100 farm households, 4 farm types were identified i.e. Crop (Rice-wheat) intensive farming system (26%), Crop + dairy + off farm based farming system (7%), Resource efficient, crop cum dairy based farming system (30%), Off farm dependent resource poor farming system (35%). The findings of the study provides several insights for planning appropriate integrated farming system for nutrition security and sustain inability. For example, growing multiple crops in crop rotation including pulses and oilseeds, implementing line sowing, introducing improved seed varieties, integrated pest management technologies to crop intensive farming system,  introducing iron and zinc bio-fortified varieties,  improved livestock breeds, nutritional kitchen gardening to off farm dependent resource poor farming system and resource integration technologies such as vermicomposting and round the year mushroom production to crop + dairy based farming systems for higher economic and environmental impact.