Year: 2015 | Month: December | Volume 1 | Issue 1

Development of Region Specific Horticulture based Integrated Farming System Models with Crop Diversification for Sustainable Livelihoods and Nutritional Security of Tribal of Sirohi District of Rajasthan: A Case Study

R.L. Bhardwaj and Latika Vyas
DOI:Coming Soon

Abstract:

The study was conducted in two tribal dominated blocks i.e. Aburoad and Pindwara of district Sirohi during 2008-09 to 2012-13. The KVK developed region specific integrated farming system models with crop diversification for poverty alleviation, sustainable development in agriculture, generate on and off farm employment. Target group was tribals, who have very small land holding size with limited resources and marketing facility. Among different region specific integrated farming system models for 2.0 hectare arable land, the model 7 (Crop + cash crop + vegetable + fruit + flower production with retail marketing of fruit and vegetables) was more beneficial for the farmers than other models. Adaptor farmers earn highest net return (` 5.30 lakh year-1) with maximum B: C ratio (4.38) and generate more (1800 mandays year-1) employment opportunities at farmers field. Significant difference between non adaptors and adaptors respondents of modern agro-technologies and crop diversification was reported as adopters started earning up to ` 2.85 lakh annum-1, their working hours increased (375%), made pukka houses (38%), purchased utility items (83%), have good bank balance up to ` 10,000 (92%), provided good education to children (63%), purchased agricultural inputs (66%), increase interaction with extension workers (72%), purchased personal transport conveyance (53%), telephone or mobile facilities (87%), women participation in decision making (39%) and purchasing power significantly increased. Thus, adoption of region specific integrated farming system models with modern agro-technologies proved a milestone in tribals empowerment by providing sustainable financial and nutritional security.



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AgroEcoomist-An International Journal In Association with AAEBM