Conventional
agriculture is known to cause soil and pasture degradation because it involves
intensive tillage, in particular if practised in areas of marginal
productivity.
Technologies and
management schemes that can enhance productivity need to be developed. At the
same time, ways need to be found to preserve the natural resource base. Within
this framework, an integrated crop-livestock farming system represents a key
solution for enhancing livestock production and safeguarding the environment
through prudent and efficient resource use.
The increasing
pressure on land and the growing demand for livestock products makes it more
and more important to ensure the effective use of feed resources, including
crop residues. An integrated farming system consists of a range of resource-saving
practices that aim to achieve acceptable profits and high and sustained
production levels, while minimizing the negative effects of intensive farming
and preserving the environment. Based on the principle of enhancing natural
biological processes above and below the ground, the integrated system
represents a winning combination that
(a) reduces erosion;
(b) increases crop
yields, soil biological activity and nutrient recycling;
(c) intensifies land
use, improving profits; and
(d) can therefore
help reduce poverty and malnutrition and strengthen environmental
sustainability.
Components of integration
Components of integration in
a farming system are parkland systems, trees on bunds, wind breaks,
silvi-pasture system, agro-horticulture system, block plantations, economic
shrubs, live fences, crops with green leaf manure species (mixed/intercrops),
integrated animal based systems (fisheries, dairy, piggery, small ruminants,
poultry, apiary).
Population growth,
urbanization and income growth in developing countries are fuelling
a substantial global
increase in the demand for food of animal origin, while also
aggravating the
competition between crops and livestock (increasing cropping areas and reducing
rangelands).
The livestock
revolution1 is stretching the capacity of existing production, but it is also
exacerbating
environmental problems. Therefore, while it is necessary to satisfy consumer demand,
improve nutrition and direct income growth opportunities to those who need them
most, it is also necessary to alleviate environmental stress.
