Enterprise mix diversification: an option for ecologically sustainable food and nutritional security of small holders in Indo-Gangetic plains

Abstract

Agriculture in Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) of India is facing challenges of food security, low factor productivity, lowest per capita landholding and natural resource sustainability in the changing climate. Prevalent rice-wheat system (RWS) in this region requires more labour, water and chemical inputs leading to excessive groundwater exploitation and soil degradation. Present enterprise mix diversification study was carried out to improve productivity, profitability and resource use efficiency of the smallholders in reclaimed sodic lands of IGP during 2007–2015 at ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, India. Total 2.0 ha area was diversified under grain, vegetable, horticulture, fodder, fisheries, livestock and poultry production systems. This system produced ∼20% higher (13.3 tha−1) rice equivalent yield (REY) than RWS(11.1 tha−1). This system also generated 15.3% higher eight years average net income ($ 5363), than RWS ($ 4650/-), and 875 man-days/annum employment. By recycling this system used ∼50% lesser water than RWS and also improved soil health. On farm production and availability of cereals, vegetables, fruits, milk, eggs, fish, etc. in the system also to ensure food and nutritional security of the farm family. Overall the enterprise mix diversification system enhanced agricultural sustainability with higher productivity, income, employment generation and minimized climatic hazards.

Keywords

• enterprise mix diversification
• sustainability
• food security
• small farmers