8/14/2019 Farming Systems Approach in Agricultural Research - FOCARS 85 T.balaguru

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Farming Systems Approach in

Agricultural Research

Dr.T.BalaguruHe ad -ARSMP Divis io nN at i o n al A c a d e m y o f

Agr i c u l tu r a l Resea rc h Managem en tRajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 407

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Non-Adoption of AgriculturalTechnologies

Lack of Aw areness (Illiteracy / Ignorance of Farmers)Ineffective Extension ServicesDifference in On-Station & On-Farm ConditionsHostile Environm entLack of ResourcesNon-Availability of Inputs in Time

Inappropriate Technologies

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Rainbow of AgriculturalRevolutions

Green RevolutionW hite RevolutionBlue Revolution

Yellow Revolution

Golden RevolutionGene Revolution Agri-Export Revolution

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Emergence of FSA

Agricultural Revolution Strategy* Reductionistic, Disciplinary Approach

Disadvantaged Farmers:* Small, Resource-Poor* Harsh Environment

R & D w ith a Farming SystemsPerspective

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Agricultural R & D ApproachesI. Conventional Approach

* Technology Farmer Increased Production* Green, White, Blue, Yellow Revolutions !* Total Production Increased* RRF Benefited and RPF Bypassed* TOT Approach

II. Innovative Approach* Farmer Technology Farmer Increased Prodn.* Increased Production & Providing Social Justice

* RPF and RRF Will Benefit* FS Approach

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M ultiplicity of Terminologies

Farming Systems Research (FSR)Farming Systems Research & Extension(FSR / E)Farming Systems Development (FSD)On-Farm Research (OFR)Farmer P articipatory R esearch (FPR)On-Farm Client Oriented Research (OFCOR)

Production Systems Approach (PSA)Integrated Farming Systems Approach(IFSA)

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Concept of Farming Systems Approach

Farming System : Components & InteractionProduction Crop, Livestock, AgroforestryFactors Land, Labour, Capital, Energy

Holistic View of Farming System

Interpretations:Shaner et al (I98 2)

- Interdependencies Betw een Components- Interaction of Components with Biophysical and

Socioeconomic Factors

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Farming System

FarmHousehold

Infrastructure

Agro-climate

Land

Agric. Crops

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Farming System Model

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Core Characters of FSA Problem Solving ApproachHolistic Approach

Acknow ledges Location Specificity

Defines Specific Client GroupsFarmer P articipatory ApproachRecognizes ITK System

Bot tom Up Stra tegyInterdisciplinary ApproachEmphasizes On-Farm Activities

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Core Characters of FSA (Contd.)

Considers Gender I ssuesI terative and Dynam ic ApproachRecognizes I nterdependencies Am ongM ultiple ClientsFocuses on Actual AdoptionStresses Sustainability ConsiderationsComplements On-Station R & D

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FSA PR OCESS

Target and R & D Area Selection

Problem Identification andDevelopment of a R & D Base

Planning On-Farm R & D

On-Farm R & D and Analysis

Extension of Results

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I ssues For ConsiderationIntegration of FSA StrategyComplementary, but not a Substitute

Manpow er DevelopmentOrganized Manpow er Planning

Orientation of R & D PersonnelSkill Development: Training & Field ExperienceInterdisciplinary Teamw ork Training & Policy Level Changes

Farmer P articipationEstablishing Mechanism & Strengthening

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I ssues for Consideration

Strengthening On-Farm ActivitiesOrientation & Providing Guidelines

Research Extension Farmer LinkagesEstablishment & Role Clarification

Gender AnalysisEvolving Systematic Framew ork Curriculum M odification

Reorientation to Expose on FSR

Policy I ssuesSensitization & Policy Level Support

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Sustainability of Farming Systems:Issues

Increase in P roductivity & ProfitabilityComplementarity betw een ComponentsPreservation of Agricultural Resource Base:* Soil : Erosion, Acidity, Salinity, Alkalinity* Water: Scarcity, Drainage, Pollution

* Flora & Fauna* Integrated ApproachUse of Inputs:* Internal - Maximization* External - Minimization

Utilizat ion of ITK Consideration of Gender I ssuesCompatibility w ith:* Agro-Climatic Conditions

* Socio-economic and Cultural Factors

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Conclusions

Necessity Well EstablishedIntegration Rather ThanIsolation RequiredOrientation of People NeededGuidelines Solicited

Paradigm Shift to beAppreciated

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