Contribution of Integrated Farming System for Livelihood Security of Tribal’s in Pachamalai Hill of Tiruchirappalli District

Out of 115 million operational holdings in India, about 80 per cent of Indian farmers are marginal and small farmers. To achieve sustainable development in income and employment to fulfill the basic needs of the farmers in plains and also in hilly areas, an integrated faming system plays a vital role in India. The present study was undertaken to recognize the contribution of integrated farming system on livelihood security and sustainable development of Tribal people. Primary data was collected from the Tribal people of Pachamalai hill situated in Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu. Most of the respondents were involved in the adoption of integrated farming system, but the components are based on size of land holding, economic conditions, knowledge, experience and interest of the respondent etc. Eight different components of Integrated farming system were considered in the study. Among them agriculture with backyard poultry, livestock and piggery which are adopted by most of the respondents. Farmers responses that integrated farming system has increased the economic yield per unit area by providing income to the farmers round the year, providing food, nutritional security and increasing input usage by the result of expected output. Hence it is essential to create awareness to improve knowledge, skill and attitude regarding the adoption of more components of integrated farming system. Therefore it was concluded from the study that integrated farming system is a multidimentional farming approach, which is very effective in solving many problems of achieving farmers’ livelihood security.