Integrated farming systems for Bay Islands.
Shyam Singh, Gangwar B.
Author Affiliation: Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
Indian Farming 38 : 21-24
Abstract : The existing farming systems of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are described. The Islands are undulating and mostly of medium slope, and 86% forested (7144 kmē). There is limited production of fruit, plantation and spice crops which are poorly managed, and some vegetable crop and flower production. Rice occupies 12?000 ha and is grown mainly in the dry season, with other field crops and vegetables being grown on a limited scale in rice fallows. Animal husbandry is in a very early stage of development with poor overgrazed pastures and a shortage of forage in the dry season. Fishery resources are rich but unexploited. A number of integrated farming systems suitable for the socio-agroclimatic conditions of the area are discussed: 7 are plantation crop based (1-7); 4 are fruit crop based (8-11); 1 is forest based (12); and 1 is field crop based (13). (1) Coconut gardens with fodder production (e.g. with grasses such as hybrid Napier or legumes such as Stylosanthes) and 4-5 milch cattle which supply manure for the coconut garden. (2) Coconuts with black pepper, fodder and milch cattle - a similar system to (1) but including black pepper and a greater variety of fodder crops which require extra fertilizers apart from manure. (3) Coconuts with cover crops - specially suitable for sloping land. Crops such as Mimosa and Stylosanthes, and other shade tolerant species are recommended. (4) Intercropping with plantation crops shown to be successful with coconut which include cocoyam, elephantfoot yam (Amorphophallus campanulatus), cassava, turmeric and ginger. A 3-tier system is suggested for greater economic gain. (5) Coconuts with fodder and fish or prawn culture. Systems are being tested at the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) farm at Sipighat in which coconuts are grown on platforms at the highest tidal level and fish and prawns in channels in between. (6) Coconuts with fish culture in salt affected land. A system with raised field bunds is suggested. (7) Coconuts with rice and fish culture - also being investigated at Sipighat. (8) Fruit crops (guava, mango, jackfruit, lemon) with fodder and milch cattle. The growing of fodder crops is suggested at the early stage (first 4-5 yr) of fruit growing. (9) Fruit crops (as in 8) with filler (e.g. banana, papaya, pineapple) and intercrops (e.g. aubergine, chilli, tomato, radish, various gourds etc.) in the early stages. (10) Bananas with fodder and fish culture - with bananas grown on the bunds of the ponds. (11) Flowers and ornamental crops alone or mixed with other crop plants. These will also provide landscaping and attract tourism. (12) Forest based cultivation of hardy fruit crops, vegetables, spices, medicinal and aromatic oil plants, in areas made thin by continuous extraction of timber and fuelwood. Suitable crops are listed for partially cleared forest areas. (13) Field crop based systems. Rice is the most important crop. Salt tolerant varieties especially could be raised with fish and various pulses, oilseeds and forage crops (in the fallows). Trees such as Gliricidia spp. should be grown on field boundaries to keep out cattle and provide green manure.