Farmers’ Participatory Coconut based Integrated Farming Systems for Sustainable Farm Productivity in High Rainfall Zone of Tamil Nadu

摘要

Coconut is the most important crop and the livelihood of Kanyakumari farmers. The cultivation of coconut alone yielded poor farm income. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra intervened for a sustainable incomeof farmers through integrated farming system (IFS) approach. Four coconut-based IFS models, viz., 1. Coconut + Cow + Biogas + Vermicompost, 2. Coconut + Cow + Desi-chicken + Azolla + Vermicompost, 3. Coconut + Goat + Azolla + Vermicompost and 4. Coconut + Goat + Cow + Turkey + Azolla + Vermi-compost were demonstrated at farmers’field. Results revealed that generally, all IFS models were better than the farmers’ practice in terms of coconut equivalent yield (CEY) and economic parameters. Among IFS models, model 2 had produced the highest CEY of 46184 kg/ha, gross return (Rs. 1016048/ha), net return (Rs. 742048/ha) and also B:C ratio (3.71) besides adding more nutrients to the soil. Hence, it is concluded that Coconut based IFS is more economical and sustainable in general and Coconut + Cow + Desi-chicken+ Azolla + Vermi-compost model in particular in high rainfall zone of Tamil Nadu.