Author(s):

A Rajeshkumar and M Balusamy

Abstract: Innovative integrated farming system model comprising of a nutritional garden for growing fruits and vegetables, cattle, goat, desi poultry, duck, and turkey was evaluated in a lowland ecosystem. Round the year vegetable production on the pond embankment was evaluated over traditional pond management. The model aims at improving livelihood security through improving household nutrition, income and employment generation. From the system about 87 and 72 kg of radish, 72 and 64.5 kg of ribbed gourd, 59 and 52.9 kg of bitter gourd, 41 and 36 kg of snake gourd, 187 and 267 kg of banana, 194 and 178.9 kg of amaranthus, 158 and 132 kg of leafy coriander, 33 and 26 kg of mint and 17 and 11 kg of red gram were produced annually from an area of 160 m² during 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively. In this regard, vegetables production in pond embankment increased the year round availability of vegetables for family consumption of the respective households. Moreover, cash from selling of surplus greens, fruits and vegetables contributed to increased total income of the households. Supplementary income of Rs. 9,918 and 10,401 was obtained from the greens, fruits and vegetables cultivated on the pond embankment with an area of 160 m²during 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively. A total of 63 and 57 man days were generated by the nutritional garden during 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively. Composting of organic residues on farm resulted in effective recycling of farm waste for crop production.

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