Short Course on "Integrated farming systems research for improved livelihood option of small and marginal farmers"
Agriculture in Goa and other parts of the country is becoming increasingly uneconomical owing to increasing input costs especially labour in the continuously fragmentating land holding over the years. The scale economics of the agriculture on small patches of land is unviable unless it is supported by additional intermittent revenue generating enterprises.
Keeping this in view the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi is emphasising on a holistic system approach through its co-ordinated research project. Goa centre of the ICAR has taken up this research project for the last four years and has developed two Integrated Farming System models one suitable for undulating uplands and the other for the lowlands.
To further strengthen the research work with better understanding of the aspect, a ten days National level training program has been organised at ICAR Research Complex for Goa with the participants from all over India.
The inaugural function of the Training Programme was held on 4th June, 2013 at 10.30 am in which Dr. Narendra Pratap Singh, Director, ICAR RC, Goa indicated the importance and genesis of Integrated Farming System Research and emphasised the need for System approach in the context of fragmented land holdings both in Goa and other parts of the country.
Dr. S. Subramanian, former Principal Scientist briefly outlined the focal concept and components of Integrated Farming Systems in augmenting rural income with optimal utilization of available resources and its suitability to small holdings, homesteads and resource poor farmers.
Dr. B.L. Manjunath, Principal Scientist (Agronomy) of the Institute is co-ordinating the programme. All the scientific staff of the Institute are guiding the trainees on different aspects and the required scientific approach on Integrated Farming Systems Research, the result of which will be useful for arriving at specific models for various resource situations in different parts of the country.