INTEGRATION IS KEY IN AGRICULTURE

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.