Mixed farming on homestead agriculture - an economical approach.
Salam M. A., Sreekumar D., Mammen M. K.
Author Affiliation: NARP (Special Station), Kerala Agricultual University, Sadanandapuram PO, Kottarakara, Kerala 691 550, India.
Indian Farming 40 : 14-16
Abstract : A case study of a typical small mixed farming [agrosilvopastoral] system in Kerala, operating on 0.28 ha of fertile land. The family consists of 7 members, and the homestead farm supplies all the agricultural produce and income necessary for its requirements. The farm has 60 mature and highly productive coconut palms (supplying on average 140 nuts p.a.) which are fertilized with organic manures (such as cowdung, dried leaves, coir dust etc.) applied in basins of radius 1.8 m round each tree. A milch cow (supplying milk for consumption and sale) and a heifer are kept and supply the dung for the crops. Guinea grass is grown in the coconut basins and interspaces to meet the fodder requirements of the cattle, which are also supplied with feed concentrate (as purchased oilseed cakes). Many other crops are grown mixed in the coconut garden to form a multistorey system with coconuts in the top layer, arecanuts trailed by pepper, and jackfruit, tamarind, mango, lime and breadfruit in the second layer, banana, tapioca [cassava] and fruit plants in the third layer, and tuber crops, vegetables and the guinea grass in the lowest layer. The available space is utilized effectively in both horizontal and vertical directions. The entire farm is irrigated using a 3 hp electric pump. Detailed data are tabulated on the labour requirements (mostly family, with some hired for crop harvesting) and input and output costs for the different farm components, and these give estimated annual total input costs of Rs?21?750, output costs (returns) of Rs?44?460, and a net profit of Rs?22?710. Accounting for the cost of family labour (Rs?8750) raises the profit to Rs?31?460 p.a., or Rs?86.2 per day. After meeting family annual expenditure (Rs?30?000) a balance of Rs?1460 is available as savings.