UPSC Mains 2022 · GS III · Q14 · 15 marks · 250 words

What is Integrated Farming System ? How is it helpful to small and marginal farmers in India ?

हिन्दी में

समेकित कृषि प्रणाली क्या है ? भारत में छोटे और सीमांत किसानों के लिए यह कैसे लाभदायक हो सकती है ?

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Examine the role of Integrated Farming System (IFM) in improving agricultural productivity and minimizing the environmental impact of agriculture.”

Mohit GuptaAIR 192 · CSE 2023 · 179 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

FAO defines IFM as "method of multiinput multidomain agriculture based on philosophy of zero wastage (someone's waste is other input).

Body · points

IFM role in improving agri productivity

  1. Minimizing input costs - Ex) Farm waste → Animal feed ↓ Animal waste ← Farm Fertilizer

  2. Resource use efficiency. Ex) Circular management of grey water

  3. Augmenting & securing farmer's income Ex) Crop failure ↔ Livestock income

  4. Ensures better returns via complementary needs. Ex) Nutrient replacement via mixed cropping

⑤ Growing farm - FPI Linkage. Dalwai Panel: way to Doubling income

⑥ Allowing technological integration - Ex > Use of IOT, Sensor → Precision Agriculture

Role in minimizing Environmental Impact

→ (1) Waste Reduction : 1/3rd of Agri Produce is waste → 20% global emissions (FAO) → (2) Augmenting soil carbon capture - Ex > Manure mixing → Better SOC retention → (3) Shift from monoculture to crop diversification. Ex > Crop Rotation, Feed friendly crops → (4) Afforestation & green cover Ex > Agro-forestry → (5) Sustainable Farm Ecosystem.

Close · a summary

IFM ensures that agri productivity maximizes while limiting carbon footprint.

1 more topper’s answer to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper III, Q14. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.