1. Research in Integrated Faming Systems on production technologies for improving productivity and resource use efficiencies.

2. Develop efficient, economically viable and environmentally sustainable integrated farming system models for different farming situations.

3. On-farm testing, verification and refinement of system-based farm production technologies.

4. Co-ordinate and monitor integrated farming system research in the country.

5. Development of model value chain in farming system mode

I. On-Farm Research (OFR)

v. OFR-1: On-Farm crop response to plant nutrients in predominant cropping systems

v  OFR-2: Diversification of existing Farming Systems under marginal household conditions

v  OFR-3: On-Farm evaluation of farming system modules for improving profitability and livelihood of small and marginal farmers

II. Model Value Chain Development for Integrated Farming Systems (MVCD)

v  To create and demonstrate a model on pilot basis for value chain development for IFS’s

v  To assess the advantages and issues in convergence of schemes for value chain development

v  To make policy briefs for value chain development for IFS’s at central and state level.

III. Schedule Cast Sub-plan (SCSP)

To impart knowledge on selection of suitable components and maximize profit under IFS.

v To develop skill in management of components, on farm resources, recycling of farm wastes and to enhance farm income, livelihood security and food security.

v To know the contribution of different farm enterprises and monthly flow of income and overall savings.

v To improve socio- economic conditions through IFS approach

IV. Conducting Front line demonstration (FLD)

Conducting front-line demonstrations in cropping system mode in maize – groundnut in twenty farmers fields in Chikkaballapura district

(Varieties released /Technologies developed / Patents developed/ Commercialized etc…)

v  Developed 60 IFS models for three conditions (rainfed, irrigated and semi-irrigated) for ten districts (Bangalore rural and Urban, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Tumkur, Ramnagar, Mandya, Mysore, Chamarajanagar and Hassan) for one acre and one hectare conditions.

v  Under Tribal sub-plan project worked with 275 tribal families in five villages (K.Devarahally, Shanivaar munti, Kuntagudi colony and Melumanahally of Chamarajanagar district, Sollepura  in Mysore district and with suitable IFS enterprise mix and interventions the B:C ratio of 275 tribal families was improved on average to 1:2.

v  Worked with 60 model farmers in Kolar district during 2012-2017 and Chikkaballapura district during 2017-2022 with input and Technology supportprovided feasible, workable and sustainable IFS models suited to local conditions looking into the agro-climatic conditions and availability of resources.

v  At present working with 60 SC families in Byrganahally village, Sidlaghatta Taluk, Chikkaballapura district and providing need based input support for the improvement of productivity, sustainable yields, improvement in the soil health and improvement in the standard of living of the farmers.

v  Providing information about IFS to develop integrated farming in their fields

v  Providing information through brouchers, leaflets and success stories of IFS beneficiary farmers to other needy farmers

v  Providing information about technologies , packages of practices ( POP) and deferment verities released by  UAS, Bangalore , to our contact farmers and needy farmers

v  Organize Capacity building programme to contact farmers

v  Organize Training programme on IFS and natural farming in farmer’s field

v  Conducting research and demonstration at farmer’s field in regular mode

v  Documentation of success stories of IFS beneficiary farmers / (contact farmers)

v  Conducting meeting seminars and workshop on IFS at farmer’s field

v  To motivate the farmers to adopt IFS in their fields

Project in Agro-

Climatic Zone 5 &  Zone 6

of Karnataka

The result of four years experimental data indicate that, lowest labour cost, material cost and cost of cultivation was found in natural farming (NF) followed by organic farming (OF) and recommended package of practices (RPP) as natural farming incurred least cost of cultivation due to omission of purchased inputs and use of ghanajeevamrutha, jeevamrutha for plant nutrition and various astras for pest and disease management prepared from locally available resources.

Highest gross return (GR), net return (NR), B:C ratio was found in recommended package of practices (RPP) followed by organic farming (OF) and lowest returns in natural farming (NF) due to lower yields in the initial years.

Natural Farming

project (CMNF)

of Karnataka