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Redesigning of Farming Systems Using a Multi-Criterion Assessment Tool for Sustainable Intensification and Nutritional Security in Northwestern India

Author

Listed:
  • Ashisa K. Prusty

    (ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut 250110, India)

  • Ravisankar Natesan

    (ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut 250110, India)

  • Azad S. Panwar

    (ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut 250110, India)

  • Mangi L. Jat

    (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), NASC Complex, New Delhi 110012, India)

  • Jagdish P. Tetarwal

    (All India Coordinated Research Project on Integrated Farming Systems (AICRP-IFS), Agriculture University, Kota 324001, India)

  • Santiago López-Ridaura

    (Sustainable Intensification Program, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Carretera México-Veracruz, Km. 45, El Batán, Texcoco 56237, Mexico)

  • Roos Adelhart Toorop

    (Farming Systems Ecology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Jelle van den Akker

    (Farming Systems Ecology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Jashanjot Kaur

    (School of Organic Farming, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004, India)

  • Prakash C. Ghasal

    (ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut 250110, India)

  • Jeroen C. J. Groot

    (Farming Systems Ecology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Luis Barba-Escoto

    (Sustainable Intensification Program, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Carretera México-Veracruz, Km. 45, El Batán, Texcoco 56237, Mexico)

  • Poonam Kashyap

    (ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut 250110, India)

  • Meraj A. Ansari

    (ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut 250110, India)

  • Mohammad Shamim

    (ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut 250110, India)

Abstract

Sustaining agricultural systems dominated by small and vulnerable resource-poor farms that are subject to climatic aberrations is a major challenge for most Asian countries. In this context, the role of agriculture requires immediate attention in northwestern India where marginal farmers with less than a meagre 1 hectare of land represent about 67% of the population. Research based on prototype farms is being promoted in the redesign of current farming practices to help give these farmers sustainable livelihoods. We hypothesize that integrating innovative cropping systems into smallholder marginal farms could help to achieve these objectives. The study presented here describes a modelling approach for the ex-ante assessment of the current farming practices of marginal households in terms of economic, environmental, and nutritional indicators in comparison with those of experimental research farms in order to delineate an alternative scope of flexibility to optimize farming practices. We used the FarmDESIGN model to evaluate farmers’ realities, with a focus on marginal farms (marginal poor farmers (MPFs)) and marginal diversified farmers (MDF) with the objective of enhancing profit, soil organic matter balance, and nutritional system yield in terms of dietary energy and reducing pesticide usage. Introducing prototype cropping systems in up to 33% of the farm area, combined with rearrangements of the existing crops, provided ample opportunity to improve farm performance. The improvements were greater when prototype cropping systems were added, and MPFs could benefit greatly from improvements in soil organic matter balance when considering the current negative organic matter balance of most farms. We conclude that the model-based approach of evaluating the potential of new cropping systems, along with the fine tuning of alternative combinations, will support the enhanced adaptability of innovative cropping practices, which will help to improve the livelihoods of marginal farmers.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashisa K. Prusty & Ravisankar Natesan & Azad S. Panwar & Mangi L. Jat & Jagdish P. Tetarwal & Santiago López-Ridaura & Roos Adelhart Toorop & Jelle van den Akker & Jashanjot Kaur & Prakash C. Ghasal &, 2022. "Redesigning of Farming Systems Using a Multi-Criterion Assessment Tool for Sustainable Intensification and Nutritional Security in Northwestern India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:3892-:d:779816
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