Development of integrated farming system model for marginal and small farmers of Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh -an innovative extension tool

This paper deals with the discussion that how the integrated farming system (IFS) model has been developed simulating the entire farm based situations faced by the small and marginal farmers of Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh with desired technological modifications needed to boost the farmers’ productivity and profitability on sustainable basis. Integration of different field crops, vegetables and practically feasible farm enterprises, we can earn net profitability of 409721 with annual cost of cultivation 100847 with overall holistic B:C ratio of 4.92 under established IFS units. These results reveal that induction of IFS principles and technological interventions on the basis of land use planning, the small and marginal farmers can fetch better gains and livelihood through diversification of their small and marginal farms. IFS model can act as an innovative extension tool to transform less remunerative hill production systems into highly remunerative systems using available farm resources to generate better farm gains, livelihood and employment on sustainable basis.