Hazaribagh: Farming is no longer just a traditional means of livelihood, but it is rapidly emerging as a profitable business. With changing times, farmers are also abandoning old methods of farming and adopting new and modern systems. In this context, these days the discussion about integrated farming system is in full swing, by adopting which farmers are earning more profits even in less land. Ram Prasad Kushwaha, a progressive farmer of Amanari village under Sadar block of Hazaribagh district, has emerged as a successful example of this.
Moving ahead from traditional farming, Ram Prasad Kushwaha adopted integrated farming system and today he is earning Rs 7 to 8 lakh annually from one acre of land. His success is not only a story of becoming financially strong but is also a source of inspiration for other farmers in the area. He is continuously motivating the nearby farmers to do farming with this new system, so that the farmers can increase their income and make farming a profitable deal.
These days both farmers and agricultural scientists are emphasizing on integrated farming. Dr. Pankaj Kumar Sinha, Agricultural Scientist of ICIR Center at Goriyakarma, Hazaribagh, said that integrated farming system is a modern method in which along with crop production, many components like animal husbandry, fish farming, poultry, horticulture and beekeeping are combined together. Its biggest advantage is that the waste from one component becomes fertilizer or resource for another component, thereby reducing costs and increasing production.
He further said that with this system the farmer has a source of income throughout the year. Even if one component does not provide the expected benefits, the other components compensate for it. Due to this, the economic risk of farmers also reduces to a great extent. This is the reason why integrated farming system is being called the farming of the future.
Farmer Ram Prasad Kushwaha said that in this model, doing several activities simultaneously leads to better utilization of land. Along with crop production, he has included vegetable farming, animal husbandry and other components in his farming, due to which he is getting regular income. He believes that if farmers adopt this system with proper planning and hard work, then it is absolutely possible to earn good income from farming.
Adoption of integrated farming system can change both the condition and direction of the farmers of the area. This is a modern and sustainable technique of farming, which is helpful in making farmers self-reliant. In the present era, when the cost of farming is continuously increasing and profits are decreasing, farmers need to change their methods and techniques. Agricultural scientists believe that integrated farming system is the right solution through which farmers can take concrete steps towards doubling their income.
