Ecosystem services from smallholder dairy based integrated farming system vis-a-vis double cropping. Issue 10 (26th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Palsaniya, D.R.; Kumar, Sunil; Das, M.M.; Kumar, T. Kiran; Chaudhary, Manoj; Chand, Khem; Rai, S.K.; Ahmed, Akram; Kumar, Sunil; Sahay, C.S.
• Is Part Of: Agroecology and sustainable food systems. Volume 46:Issue 10(2022)
• Page Start: 1456
• Page End: 1481
• Publication Date: 2022-11-26
• Subjects: Dairy-based farming system -- ecosystem services -- cultural services -- provisioning services -- regulating services -- supporting services; Sustainable agriculture -- Periodicals; Agricultural ecology -- Periodicals; 577.55
• DOI: 10.1080/21683565.2022.2108192
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2168-3565

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The focus toward specialized double cropping in the recent past and the resultant stagnant farm productivity, natural resource degradation, improper by-product recycling, and declining resource use efficiency warranted renewed efforts toward dairy-based integrated farming systems (IFS) approach. The small holder dairy-based integrated farming system (IFS) under present study resulted in production of 323% more wheat equivalent yield (27358 kg ha −1 ) and diverse provisioning services (grains, fruits, straw, green fodder, milk) as compared to groundnut–wheat double cropping system. The dairy-based IFS generated 82.7% more net return (2501 US$ ha −1 year −1 ) with 1.52 benefit cost ratio, resulted in uniform distribution of income throughout the year (US$ 529 to 909 every month) and generated 251% more employment (418 man-days ha −1 year −1 ) than double cropping. It provided regulating services in the form of improved soil fertility (19% more soil organic carbon), enhanced saturated infiltration capacity, higher carbon sequestration (552%) and was more dependent on indirect and renewable energy sources. The dairy-based IFS recorded more soil biodiversity (earthworm, fungal, and bacterial count) and better nutrient (100 Kg N, 45 Kg P, and 80 Kg K ha −1 year −1 ), and by-product recycling (20.4 tonnes farm yard manure and 1.98 tonnes farm-compost) vis-a-vis double cropping system (supporting services) besides providing many cultural services. The study concluded that systems transformation through greater crops-livestock integration provides number of provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services, and leads to sustainable food systems.