Vol. 20 No. 1
Farming systems interventions for improving farm production of marginal tribal farmers in coastal West Bengal
Author(s): M. RAY, S. K. MUKHOPADHYAY, S. CHATTERJEE, S. SAHA, A. BISWAS AND T. GHOSH
Abstract: Integrated farming system (IFS) is a sustainable and effective means for improving farm income due to its cumulative cost effectiveness, low investment and higher profitability. A field study was conducted over the course of 3 consecutive years (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19) with 116 farm households in 2 villages of Bali Island, Gosaba Block, 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal. The impact of different interventions was studied during 2019-20. The study area was severely affected by 2009 Aila (Cyclone), where farming became a huge challenge due to soil salinity and remarkable reduction of farm animal. Different crop and component specific interventions were introduced in order to augment crop area or animal count. Technological interventions along with capacity building and requisite input supply resulted into increased cropped area (rice area increased 170%) and animal number (35% increase in cow population). The overall effect demonstrated a significant improvement in production (577% increase in rice production), productivity, income, nutritional security, employment opportunities and livelihood of farming communities.
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