Project aem-206-mahendran-2018-513

AEM-206 Project Work
Title
Integrated Farming System – Akey to Sustainable Livelihood in
Agriculture. Analyze a case
Done By
Mahendran Krishnan
Admission No : AEM-MOOCS/2018/513

AEM-206: Project Work
AEM – 206 Project Work Page 2
Project Title
Integrated Farming System – Akey to Sustainable Livelihood in
Agriculture. Analyze a case
Course Code : AEM 206
Name of the Candidate : MAHENDRAN KRISHNAN
Admission No : AEM-MOOCS/2018/513
Signature Date of Submission
10-10-2019

Table of Contents
1. Integrated Farming System – IFS Overview
2. Integrated Crop Livestock Farming System
3. Role of its Components in Weed and Pest Control
4. Water Use Efficiency and Water Quality in IFS
5. Benefits of Integrated Farming System
6. Components of Integrated Farming System
7. Irrigation Systems
8. Integrated Nutrient Management
9. Integrated Weed Management
10. Integrated Pest Management
11.Smart Farming—Automated and Connected Agriculture
12.Hydroponics, aeroponics and aquaponics
13.Summary
14.Reference
15. Appendix

Abstract
Sustainable agriculture means an integrated approach to increasing farm yield and
managing resources in order to address all three critical aspects of sustainability:
economic, environmental and social. Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) approach to
stabilise income streams through natural resource management and livelihood
diversification.
The IFS approach has multiple objectives of sustainability, food security, farmer security
and poverty reduction. It involves use of outputs of one enterprise component as inputs for
other related enterprises wherever feasible, for example, cattle dung mixed with crop
residues and farm waste can be converted in to nutrient-rich vermi-compost. The salient
features of IFS include – innovation in farming for maximising production through optimal
use of local resources, effective recycling of farm waste for productive purposes,
community-led local systems for water conservation, organic farming, and developing a
judicious mix of income-generating activities such as dairy, poultry, fishery, goat-rearing,
vermicomposting and others. For builds farmer capacities for adoption of productive,
remunerative, eco-friendly and self-sustaining integrated farming systems.

Introduction
Sustainable development in agriculture must include integrated farming system (IFS) with
efficient soil, water crop and pest management practices, which are environmentally
friendly and cost effective. In IFS, the waste of one enterprise becomes the input of another
for making better use of resources. In integrated crop livestock farming system, crop
residues can be used for animal feed, while manure from livestock can enhance agricultural
productivity. IFS also play an important role in improving the soil health by increasing the
nitrogen, phosphorous, organic carbon and microbial count of soil and thus, reduces the
use of chemical fertilizers. Moreover, IFS components are known to control the weed and
regarded as an important element of integrated pest management and thus minimizes the
use of weed killers as well as pesticides and thus protects the environment. The water use
efficiency and water quality of IFS was better than conventional system.
The concept of sustainability is an important element in the development of integrated
systems. The MEA (2005) defined it as a characteristic or state whereby the needs of
the present and local population can be met without compromising the ability of
future generation or population in other locations to meet their needs. Developing
countries around the world are promoting sustainable development through sustainable
agricultural practices which will help them in addressing socioeconomic as well as
environmental issues simultaneously. Within the broad concept of sustainable
agriculture “Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)” hold special position as in this system
nothing is wasted, the byproduct of one system becomes the input for other. Sustainable
development in agriculture must include integrated farming system with efficient soil,
water crop and pest management practices, which are environmentally friendly and
cost effective. Integrated farming system are often less risky, if managed efficiently,
they benefit from synergisms among enterprises, diversity produce environmental
soundness (Lightfoot, 1990). Moreover, based on the principle of enhancing natural
biological processes above and below the ground, the

integrated system is the combination that reduces erosion, increases crop yields, soil
biological activity and nutrient recycling, helps in efficient use of water, reduces pest and
diseases, intensifies land use, improving profits and can therefore help reduce poverty and
malnutrition and strengthen environmental sustainability.
INTEGRATED CROP LIVESTOCK FARMING SYSTEM
An integrated farming system consists of a range of resource-saving practices that aim to
achieve acceptable profits and high and sustained production levels, while minimizing the
negative effects of intensive farming and preserving the environment (Lal and Miller,
1990; Gupta et al., 2012). Within this framework, an integrated crop-livestock
farming system represents a key solution for enhancing livestock production and
safeguarding the environment through prudent and efficient resource use. In integrated
crop livestock farming system the waste of one enterprise becomes the input of another for
making better use of resources (Tiwari, 1993). For example, crop residues can be
used for animal feed, while manure from livestock can enhance agricultural productivity by
intensifying nutrients that improve soil fertility as well as reducing the use of chemical
fertilizers (Gupta et al ., 2012). For agricultural use animal excreta can be used for fertilizer,
feed and fuel. Excreta have two crucial roles in the overall sustainability of the system:
INTRODUCTION

biological processes above and below the ground, the integrated system is the
combination that reduces erosion, increases crop yields, soil biological activity and
nutrient recycling, helps in efficient use of water, reduces pest and diseases, intensifies land
use, improving profits and can therefore help reduce poverty and malnutrition and
strengthen environmental sustainability.
INTEGRATED CROP LIVESTOCK FARMING SYSTEM
negative effects of intensive farming and preserving the environment (Lal and Miller,
1990; Gupta et al., 2012). Within this framework, an integrated crop-livestock
farming system represents a key solution for enhancing livestock production and
safeguarding the environment through prudent and efficient resource use. In integrated
crop livestock farming system the waste of one enterprise becomes the input of another for
making better use of resources (Tiwari, 1993). For example, crop residues can be used for
animal feed, while manure from livestock can enhance agricultural productivity by
intensifying nutrients that improve soil fertility as well as reducing the use of chemical
fertilizers (Gupta et al ., 2012). For agricultural use animal excreta can be used for fertilizer,
feed and fuel. Excreta have two crucial roles in the overall sustainability of the system:

strengthen environmental sustainability.The concept of sustainability is an important
element in the development of integrated systems. The MEA (2005) defined it as a
characteristic or state whereby the needs of the present and local population can be
met without compromising the ability of future generation or population in other
locations to meet their needs. Developing countries around the world are promoting
sustainable development through sustainable agricultural practices which will help them
in addressing socioeconomic as well as environmental issues simultaneously. Within
the broad concept of sustainable agriculture “Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)” hold
special position as in this system nothing is wasted, the byproduct of one system becomes
the input for other. Sustainable development in agriculture must include integrated
farming system with efficient soil, water crop and pest management practices, which
are environmentally friendly and cost effective. Integrated farming system are often less
risky, if managed efficiently, they benefit from synergisms among enterprises, diversity
produce environmental soundness (Lightfoot, 1990). Moreover, based on the principle
of enhancing natural biological processes above and below the ground, the

malnutrition and strengthen environmental sustainability. The concept of sustainability is
an important element in the development of integrated systems. The MEA (2005)
defined it as a characteristic or state whereby the needs of the present and local
population can be met without compromising the ability of future generation or
population in other locations to meet their needs. Developing countries around the
world are promoting sustainable development through sustainable agricultural practices
which will help them in addressing socioeconomic as well as environmental issues
simultaneously. Within the broad concept of sustainable agriculture “Integrated Farming
Systems (IFS)” hold special position as in this system nothing is wasted, the byproduct of
one system becomes the input for other. Sustainable development in agriculture must
include integrated farming system with efficient soil, water crop and pest
management practices, which are environmentally friendly and cost effective.
Integrated farming system are often less risky, if managed efficiently, they benefit from
synergisms among enterprises, diversity produce environmental soundness (Lightfoot,
1990). Moreover, based on the principle of enhancing natural biological processes
above and below the ground, the integrated system is the combination that reduces
erosion, increases crop yields, soil biological activity and nutrient recycling, helps in
efficient use of water, reduces pest and diseases, intensifies land use, improving profits and
can therefore help reduce poverty and malnutrition and strengthen environmental
sustainability.The concept of sustainability is an important element in the development
of integrated systems. The MEA (2005) defined it as a characteristic or state whereby
the needs of the present and local population can be met without compromising the
ability of future generation or population in other locations to meet their needs.
Developing countries around the world are promoting sustainable development through
sustainable agricultural practices which will help them in addressing socioeconomic as
well as environmental issues simultaneously. Within the broad concept of sustainable

strengthen environmental sustainability.The concept of sustainability is an important
element in the development of integrated systems. The MEA (2005) defined it as a
characteristic or state whereby the needs of the present and local population can be
met without compromising the ability of future generation or population in other
locations to meet their needs. Developing countries around the world are promoting
sustainable development through sustainable agricultural practices which will help them
in addressing socioeconomic as well as environmental issues simultaneously. Within
the broad concept of sustainable agriculture “Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)” hold
special position as in this system nothing is wasted, the byproduct of one system becomes
the input for other. Sustainable development in agriculture must include integrated
farming system with efficient soil, water crop and pest management practices, which
are environmentally friendly and cost effective. Integrated farming system are often less
risky, if managed efficiently, they benefit from synergisms among enterprises, diversity
produce environmental soundness (Lightfoot, 1990). Moreover, based on the principle
of enhancing natural biological processes above and below the ground, the
malnutrition and strengthen environmental sustainability. The concept of sustainability is
an important element in the development of integrated systems. The MEA (2005)
defined it as a characteristic or state whereby the needs of the present and local
population can be met without compromising the ability of future generation or

population in other locations to meet their needs. Developing countries around the
world are promoting sustainable development through sustainable agricultural practices
which will help them in addressing socioeconomic as well as environmental issues
simultaneously. Within the broad concept of sustainable agriculture “Integrated Farming
Systems (IFS)” hold special position as in this system nothing is wasted, the byproduct of
one system becomes the input for other. Sustainable development in agriculture must
include integrated farming system with efficient soil, water crop and pest
management practices, which are environmentally friendly and cost effective.
1990). Moreover, based on the principle of enhancing natural biological processes
above and below the ground, the integrated system is the combination that reduces
erosion, increases crop yields, soil biological activity and nutrient recycling, helps in
efficient use of water, reduces pest and diseases, intensifies land use, improving profits and
can therefore help reduce poverty and malnutrition and strengthen environmental
sustainability. The concept of sustainability is an important element in the development of
integrated systems. The MEA (2005) defined it as a characteristic or state whereby the
needs of the present and local population can be met without compromising the ability of
environmental issues simultaneously. Within the broad concept of sustainable agriculture
“Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)” hold special position as in this system nothing is
wasted, the byproduct of one system becomes the input for other. Sustainable development
in agriculture must include integrated farming system with efficient soil, water crop and
pest management practices, which are environmentally friendly and cost effective.
1990). Moreover, based on the principle of enhancing natural biological processes above
and below the ground, the integrated system is the combination that reduces erosion,

increases crop yields, soil biological activity and nutrient recycling, helps in efficient use of
water, reduces pest and diseases, intensifies land use, improving profits and can therefore
help reduce poverty and malnutrition and strengthen environmental sustainability
Integrated Crop Livestock Farming System
negative effects of intensive farming and preserving the environment (Lal and Miller, 1990;
Gupta et al., 2012). Within this framework, an integrated crop-livestock farming system
represents a key solution for enhancing livestock production and safeguarding the
environment through prudent and efficient resource use. In integrated crop livestock
farming system the waste of one enterprise becomes the input of another for making better
use of resources (Tiwari, 1993). For example, crop residues can be used for animal feed,
while manure from livestock can enhance agricultural productivity by intensifying
nutrients that improve soil fertility as well as reducing the use of chemical fertilizers
(Gupta et al ., 2012).
For agricultural use animal excreta can be used for fertilizer, feed and fuel. Excreta have
two crucial roles in the overall sustainability of the system
1. Improving nutrient cycling
Excreta contain several nutrients (including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and
organic matter, which are important for maintaining the soil structure and fertility. Animal
excreta contains the major inorganic nutrient components (N, P and K) (Table1)
Table 1: Typical values for the nutrient content of manure sampled in Virginia.Values are in
pounds of nutrient/ton except where noted for liquid sources

* Values are in pounds/1000 gallons. All other values are in pounds/ton.
Source: Mullins 2009
2. Providing energy
Excreta can be dried, composted, or liquid-composted for the production of biogas and
energy for household use (eg. cooking, lightning) or for rural industries (e.g. powering mills
and water pumps). Fuel in the form of biogas or dung cakes can replace charcoal and wood.
It can be methane-fermented, directly combusted, or made into solid fuel.Furthermore
biomass production of feed is possible; the excreta is treated to be used as feed again
(Moriya and Kitagawa, 2007; Matsumoto and Matsuyama 1995).
However, increased amounts of manure must be treated, broken down into biologically
safe and usable materials, and disposed in a safe way. Livestock manure treatment is
generally accomplished by moving manure into either large manure-holding structures or
earthen holding areas called lagoons. In the pond-like lagoons, bacteria break down the
manure into two products: a clear water called effluent that can be drained off and a sludge
that is generally applied to surrounding land (IAN. 1998). Animal manure can be an
important addition to help soil fertility and increase production, but excessive quantities
may cause water and air pollution problems. But land application of manure to recycle
nutrients can lead to an accumulation of soil nitrogen and phosphorus which in turn
increases the potential for losses by runoff and leaching. Taking this into consideration, the
following choices are possible to keep the environmental capacity in control:

1) Excreta cannot be discharged beyond the environmental capacity. Decrease the quantity
of excreta to keep the capacity.
2) More excreta than the environmental capacity can be discharged. In that case, however,
the excreta must be treated.
With regard to (1), because the quantity of excreta produced at a farm is the total of the
excreta from each animal kept there, the measures are naturally suggested: (a) decrease
the number of animals, or; (b) decrease the quantity of excreta per animal (per weight).
However, as (b) is not supposed to be easy to carry out, (a) is the realistic measure. In
order to reduce the number of animals and maintain the business at the same time, the
value per animal needs to be enhanced. With regard to (2), the measure is to implement an
actual excreta disposal method (Kawata,2011).
Paddy cum Fish Culture
The system of farming is most prevalent in Japan, China, Indonesia, India, Thailand and
Philippines. Many reports suggest that integrated rice-fish farming is ecologically sound
because fish improve soil fertility by increasing the availability of nitrogen and phosphorus
(Giap et al., 2005, Dugan et al., 2006). On the other hand, rice fields provide fish with
planktonic, periphytic and benthic food (Mustow, 2002). In paddy cum fish culture the fish
species selected for cultivation should have faster growth rate. Species such as Catla catla,
Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, Cyperinus carpio,Tilapia mossambicus, Anabas, Clarius
batarchus and Channa species were widely cultured in rice field (Shamsuddin, 2013). Table
2 shows the comparison between environmental requirements of rice and fish

ROLE OF IFS IN IMPROVING SOIL HEALTH AND NUTRIENT CYCLING
Soil health is declining in many cropping systems both in developed and developing
countries (FAO, 2011). The ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-
Arid Tropics) consortium team assessed 3622 soil samples from the farmers’ fields in
different states of India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat
and Tamil Nadu) and observed widespread deficiencies of sulfur (S), zinc (Zn) and boron
(B), along with total nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) (Sahrawat et al., 2008) (Table 3).

Role of its components in weed and pest control
One problem in agricultural environment is related to the use of some pesticides (Turral
and Burke, 2010). Pest and weed management has been a recurrent issue in irrigated
agriculture since the emergence of modern large-scale rice and wheat farming. In
monocultures, pests and diseases can spread rapidly and result in epidemics when
conditions are favourable to a particular pathogen or pest. Some high-yielding varieties of
rice have proved to be susceptible to particular pests (e.g. IR64 to brown plant hopper).
Agricultural run-off and drainage readily transport the pesticide pollutants to water bodies
and causing a great harm. Conventional cropping systems in the Central USA have low
levels of biological diversity and rely heavily on synthetic fertilizers and herbicides. These
are common contaminates of waterways and cause environmental degradation. Ecological
theory suggests that diversified cropping systems integrated with livestock should have a
reduced reliance on chemicals and fertilizers and should lower production costs and
environmental pollution (Liebman, 2008). Network trails conducted at various sites in
France revealed that amount of herbicides, insecticides, chemical fertilizers and fungicides
used in IFS compared with Conventional Farming System (CFS) decreased by 10.1, 28.3,
41.3 and 89.8 percent respectively (Table 10).
Compared with using herbicides, which need protective measures to minimize
contamination, the use of animals is safer for the farmer and the environment. In Malaysia,
the use of sheep for weed control has been a practical and important method for the
expansion of sheep production in the country, which has increased the returns per unit
area of land (2007) which indicated that fish and poultry components independently
contributed for 26 and 24% weed control respectively and fish + poultry together

contributed for 30% weed control. The same study also proved that application of sugar
factory bi-product presumed as organic manure with dual culturing of bio-fertilizer Azolla
in the integrated rice + fish + poultry farming system could offer 69% weed control, paving
then way to dispense with herbicide application
Herbivores fish species viz. grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella),
Tilapia sp. (Sarotherodon niloticus) and Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) contributing for
significantly higher biomass reduction in the three weed species viz. 33.17% of Echinochloa
sp.; 31.82% of Cyperus rotundus and 28.75% of Eclipta alba in rice-fish integrated farming
system (Table 11). grazing by goats in the off-season reduced weed infestation in millets
during the cropping season through their feeding habits but addition of fresh goat manure
slightly brought down weed control by virtue of effect by favouring higher weed counts and
biomass especially with annuals, compared to grazing alone (Table 12). This is attributed
to re-infestation by annual weed seeds through the goat manure by virtue of the process of
endozoochory. However, the total weed count and weed biomass in the treatments
involving goat manure addition were significantly lesser than the untreated control. This
weed control might be due to reduced soil pH and reduced recuperation of soil weed bank.
Goat rearing, when
integrated as a farming component in dry lands where millet was grown during cropping
season, supplemented weed control and reduced weed infestation, significantly by
imparting weed control indices of 17.7% and 31.34% during the first and second year
respectively. Excluding goat manure addition, grazing alone supplemented weed control in
millets recording weed control indices of 25.20% and 45.17% respectively (Geetha et al.,
2005). This could be appreciated from higher grain yields in goat grazing alone compared
to treatments involving goat grazing + goat manuring. It could be suggested that instead of
adding fresh manure to the field, allowing the goat manure to decompose throughout the
offseason and incorporating it in the field just before raising the crop, could yield better
results in terms of reducing weed competition and favouring millet yields.

Integrated rice-fish farming is also being regarded as an important element of integrated
pest management (IPM) in rice crops (Berg, 2001, Halwart and Gupta, 2004). Fish play a
significant role in controlling aquatic weeds and algae that carry diseases, act as hosts for
pests and compete with rice for nutrients. Moreover, fish eat flies, snails and insects, and
can help to control malaria mosquitoes and water-borne diseases (Matteson, 2000).
Interactions of fish and rice also help lower production costs because insects and pests are
consumed by the fish. The bio-control of rice pests is one of the prominent features of rice–
fish farming which further minimize the use of pesticides for production of rice crop.

Water Use Efficiency and Water Quality in IFS
Agriculture is the largest consumer of water in world The quantity of water available to
agriculture is likely to be affected by dwindling of the groundwater resource in many areas.
Widespread and largely unregulated groundwater withdrawals by agriculture have
resulted in depletion and degradation of some of the world’s most accessible and high-
quality aquifers and such areas include Punjab, North China Plain and the Souss basin in
Morocco, where annual declines of up to 2 metres since 1980 have been recorded (Garduno
and Foster, 2011).
Due to demand of water for industrial and drinking purposes, the share of available water
resources in agriculture sector is reducing substantially in near future. IFS results in
multiple uses of water for higher productivity and future strategies for enhancing water
productivity (Behera et al., 2012). Rice itself is a water consuming crop. Addition of fish still
increased the water requirement. Channabasavanna and Biradar (2007) reported that IFS
consumed 36% higher water than the conventional system of rice-rice but the water use
efficiency was 71% higher in IFS than conventional system (Table 4). Earlier, Jayanthi et al.
(2000) indicated that integrated farming requires less water per unit of production than
mono-cropping systems. Channabasavanna et al. (2009) also reported that integrated
farming system requires only 1247 mm of water and on the other hand conventional
farming system requires 2370 mm of water.
The various agricultural activities involved have far reaching impacts upon the
hydrological cycle due to high usage of pesticides and fertilizers. Oksel et al. (2009) carried
out the studies to determine the impacts of integrated farming towards Langgas River
water quality. From the overall finding, the study indicated that integrated farming affected
Langgas River water quality but in the value is still within the acceptable limit. From the
mean concentration results, Langgas River is free from organic contamination. Four
different sampling points were chosen which consumed of upper part of Langgas River;
consisted of clear water flowing over series of shallow gravel riffles (Station 1),

downstream of Langgas River which is border of the estate (Station 2), middle of Langgas
River (Station 3) and Madai Waterfall as the baseline point (Station 4). A total of ten water
quality parameters were studied which consisted of phosphate, ammonia-nitrogen,
biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, temperature,
dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, conductivity and total suspended solid (TSS). Four sampling
points were selected within Langgas River which is associated with integrated farming
activity which consist of upstream, downstream, middle and Madai Waterfall (baseline
station). Mean concentrations of water quality are summarized in Table 15. With regards to
Malaysian Interim Water Quality Standard (INWQS), indicates that Langgas River still has
good water quality.

Components of Integrated Farming System
Farmers in India have teamed up with scientists to find new ways to produce more food,
improve the quality of their farmland and earn more money. With the help of nuclear
techniques, they now have a method for producing high quality livestock and more crops
while protecting the health of their soil for a future of more fertile farming.
“Given the importance of agriculture and the limited resources available, we need to find
ways to make better use of what we have and become more efficient,” said V. Ramesh
Saravana Kumar, Principal Investigator of this project facilitated by the IAEA in
cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). “With
the methods demonstrated in this project, we have shown that sustainable, integrated
crop-livestock farming is the answer.”
Approximately 70% of people in India rely on agriculture as a source of income. Many
conventional farming methods involve inorganic fertilizers and using only one crop type
each season, which puts a strain on farmers’ soil and water resources. This often leads to

less productive crop yields, which in turn means less food and lowered incomes. As the
already strained situation gets worse due to climate change, farmers are now in need of
more efficient modes of production.
Scientists at the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University have used nuclear
and isotopic techniques to study soil and water use and select and grow crops that thrive
on local farms. They integrated their findings with effective livestock production methods
involving cattle and goats to develop an easy-to-follow, crop and livestock-based organic
farming system.
The project has so far resulted in an increase in organic carbon content in the soil, which
gives it structure and makes it healthier and better for growing crops. Livestock
reproductive performance has also gone up, including a 15% increase in the cattle’s milk
production as well as significant increases in the size of the goats.
“After seeing the positive results, the farmers understand that integrated crop-livestock
techniques, which also lead to more organic farming, are the only way to a healthier life.
They are now more willing to take part in similar research and advice,” said Kumar. The
government at all levels is also now encouraging the use of this method, he added.
A cycle of growing crops and feeding livestock
The new integrated method is based on a more organic, self-sustaining approach: after
farmers grow and harvest crops, they feed livestock the leftover plant parts and grass from
the fields, which results in nutrient-rich dung and urine that serves as an organic fertilizer
for growing new crops. They then repeat the process. Over time, this revitalizes the soil’s
structure and replenishes important nutrients for plants to grow, as well as provides a
steady source of healthy feed for livestock.
“Conventional techniques are not sustainable. Instead of continuing business as usual, we
can use this integrated farming approach to make the most of land and nutrient resources

not just in India, but also potentially worldwide,” said Lee Kheng Heng, Head of the Soil and
Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section of the IAEA.
Ten other countries are now also testing, developing and implementing this integrated
livestock-cropping system under the umbrella of this project. So far, in addition to the
success in India, Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya and Uganda have also been showing
promising results.
“What is especially encouraging with these techniques is that they are not limited to certain
geographical areas or climates. If land is suitable for crop cultivation, it’s suitable for
integrated crop-livestock practices,” Heng said. “This project has demonstrated that this
integrated farming approach will have a significant impact on the future of agriculture in
India and worldwide.”
Benefits of Integrated Farming System
Enhanced Productivity is one of the most important benefits of integrated farming
system. By increase productivity means that economic yield increases per unit area per
unit by time due to intensification of crop and allied farming enterprises.
Profitability factor also increases as productivity increase. This is because we are using
the waste material or by-product of one enterprise as an input into other farming
enterprise.
Adoption of New Technology is one of the important benefits of integrated farming
system. This is because, adoption of technology needs money. Large farmers have finances
so they can adopt it easily. However, small farmers usually face shortage in finances. But
due to integrated farming system, they have the opportunity to increase their returns from
farming and adapt to new technology.

Environmental Safety is ensured in this approach. How? As we are using the waste
material of one enterprise as input into the production function of other type of enterprise,
so waste pollution is minimized and hence environmental safety is ensured.
Fight Against Deforestation can win by this approach. Planting timber and fuel wood
along with the crops in field not only utilizes the free space of land but also supply wood for
many purposes. Hence pressure on natural forests can be reduced and natural ecosystem is
preserved.
Few other Benefits of Integrated Farming System
Some other benefits of this type of farming system are listed below;
 Promotion of Agro-Industry
 Increased Input Efficiency
 Cost Minimization for Input Use
 Increased Employment
 Fodder Security for Livestock
 Recycling
 Continuous Income Round the Year
 Energy Saving
Components of Integrated Farming System
1. Crops, livestock, birds and trees are the major components of any IFS.
2. Crop may have subsystem like monocrop, mixed/intercrop, multi-tier crops of
cereals, legumes (pulses), oilseeds, forage etc.
3. Livestock components may be milch cow, goat, sheep, poultry, bees.
4. Tree components may include timer, fuel, fodder and fruit trees.
Factors to be considered
The following factors have to be considered while selecting IFS in rainfed areas.

Soil types, rainfall and its distribution and length of growing season are the major factors
that decide the selection of suitable annual crops, trees and livestock components. The
needs and resource base of the farmers also decides the selection of IFS components in any
farm.
1. Suitable grain crops: According to soil type we can select suitable crops.
Black soil:
Cereals: Maize
Millets: Sorghum, bajra
Pulses: Greengram, blackgram, redgram, chickpea, soybean, horse gram
Oilseeds: Sunflower, safflower
FIbre: Cotton
Other crops: Coriander, chillies,
Red soil
Millets: Sorghum
Minor Millets: ragi, tenai, samai, pani varagu, varagu
Pulses: Lab- lab, greengram, red gram, soybean, horse gram, cowpea
Oilseeds: Groundnut, castor, sesame
2. Suitable forage crops
Black soils
Fodder sorghum, fodder bajra, fodder cowpea, desmanthus, Rhodes grass, Mayil kondai
pul, Elusine sp., Thomson grass
Red soils
Fodder cholam, fodder bajra, Neelakolukattai (Blue Buffel Grass), fodder ragi, Sanku
pushpam (Conch flower creeper), fodder cowpea, Muyal Masal (Stylo), siratro, marvel
grasses, spear grass, vettiver

3. Suitable tree species
Tamarind, Simarouba,Vagai (Ladies tongue), Arappu, Kodai vel, A.tortilis, Maan Kathu vel,
A.mellifera, Neem, Hardwickia binata, Ber, Indian Gooseberry, Casuarina, Silk cottonetc. are
suitable for red gravelly/sandy red loam soils.
Karu vel, A.tortilis, A.albida, Neem, Vagai, Holoptelia integrifolia, Manja neythi, Hibiscus
tilifolia, Gmelina arborea, Casuarina, Subabuland Adina cordifolia are suitable for black
soils.
4. Suitable livestock and birds
Goat, sheep, white cattle, black cattle, pigeon, rabbit, quail and poultry.
Agronomic approaches for increasing overall productivity and sustainability of IFS
The various agronomic approaches for increasing the overall productivity and
sustainability of IFS:
 Adoption of improved cropping system according to the rainfall and soil moisture
availability
 Selection of suitable grain crop species, tree species that supply pods/leaves for a
longer period or throughout the year
 The surplus fodder leaves, crop residues etc. during the rainy season should be
preserved as silage/hay for lean season (summer).

Irrigation System (Water Management)
SUITABILITY OF WATER FOR IRRIGATION
Quality of irrigation water
The suitability of irrigation water is mainly depends on the amounts and type of salts
present in water. The main soluble constituents are calcium, magnesium, sodium as cations
and chloride, sulphate, biocarbonate as anions. The other ions are present in minute
quantities are boron, selenium, molybdenum and fluorine which are harmful to animals fed
on plants grown with excess concentration of these ions.
Quality of irrigation is judged with three parameters:
Total salt concentration
1. Sodium Adsorption ratio water
2. Boron content
Salt concentration of irrigation water is measured as electrical conductivity (EC).
Conventionally, water containing total dissolved salts to the extent of more than 1.5 m
mhos/cm has been classified as saline. Saline waters are those which have sodium chloride
as the predominant salt
Classification of irrigation water based on total salt content
Class
EC
(ds/m)
Quality characterisation Soils for which suitable
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
<1.5
1.5 – 3
3 – 5
5 – 10
> 10
Normal waters
Low salinity waters
Medium salinity waters
Saline waters
High salinity waters
All soils
Light and medium textured soils
Light and medium textured soils for semi –
tolerant crops
Light and medium textured soils for tolerant
crops
Not suitable

Sodium Adsorption ratio
Sodium Adsorption ratio (SAR) and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) are also the main
criterion to determine the quality of irrigation water.
Boron content
Irrigation water which contains more than 3 ppm boron is harmful to crops, especially on
light soils.
Classification of irrigation water based on boron content
Class
Boron
(ppm)
Characterisation Soils suitable
B1
B2
B3
B4
B5
3
3 – 4
4 – 5
5 – 10
> 10
Normal waters
Low boron waters
Medium boron waters
Boron waters
High boron waters
All soils
Clay soils and medium textured soils
Heavy textured soils
Heavy textured soils
Not suitable
The four methods of irrigation are:
 Surface
 Sprinkler
 Drip/trickle
 Subsurface

Surface irrigation consists of a broad class of
irrigation methods in which water is
distributed over the soil surface by gravity flow.
The irrigation water is introduced into level or
graded furrows or basins, using siphons, gated
pipe, or turnout structures, and is allowed to
advance across the field. Surface irrigation is
best suited to flat land slopes, and medium to
fine textured soil types which promote the
lateral spread of water down the furrow row or
across the basin.
Surface irrigation
Sprinkler irrigation
Sprinkler irrigation is a method of irrigation in
which water is sprayed, or sprinkled through
the air in rain like drops. The spray and
sprinkling devices can be permanently set in
place (solid set), temporarily set and then
moved after a given amount of water has been
applied (portable set or intermittent
mechanical move), or they can be mounted on
booms and pipelines that continuously travel
across the land surface (wheel roll, linear move,
center pivot).

Drip/trickle irrigation systems are methods of
microirrigation wherein water is applied
through emitters to the soil surface as drops or
small streams. The discharge rate of the
emitters is low so this irrigation method can be
used on all soil types.
Drip/trickle irrigation
Subsurface irrigation
Subsurface irrigation consists of methods
whereby irrigation water is applied below the
soil surface. The specific type of irrigation
method varies depending on the depth of the
water table. When the water table is well below
the surface, drip or trickle irrigation emission
devices can be buried below the soil surface
(usually within the plant root zone).

Integrated Nutrient Management
Definition:
Integrated Nutrient Management refers to the maintenance of soil fertility and of plant
nutrient supply at an optimum level for sustaining the desired productivity through
optimization of the benefits from all possible sources of organic, inorganic and
biological components in an integrated manner.
Soil is a fundamental requirement for crop production as it provides plants with anchorage,
water and nutrients. A certain supply of mineral and organic nutrient sources is present in
soils, but these often have to be supplemented with external applications, or fertilisers, for
better plant growth. Fertilisers enhance soil fertility and are applied to promote plant
growth, improve crop yields and support agricultural intensification
Integrated Nutrient Management refers to the maintenance of soil fertility and of plant
nutrient supply at an optimum level for sustaining the desired productivity through
optimization of the benefits from all possible sources of organic, inorganic and biological
components in an integrated manner.
+
Inorganic Fertilizers Organic Manures
+ +

+
Green manures Biofertilizers
Concepts
1. Regulated nutrient supply for optimum crop growth and higher productivity.
2. Improvement and maintenance of soil fertility.
3. Zero adverse impact on agro – ecosystem quality by balanced fertilization of organic
manures, inorganic fertilizers and bio- inoculant
Determinants
1. Nutrient requirement of cropping system as a whole.
2. Soil fertility status and special management needs to overcome soil problems, if any
3. Local availability of nutrients resources (organic, inorganic and biological sources)
4. Economic conditions of farmers and profitability of proposed INM option.
5. Social acceptability.
6. Ecological considerations.
7. Impact on the environment
Advantages
1. Enhances the availability of applied as well as native soil nutrients
2. Synchronizes the nutrient demand of the crop with nutrient supply from native and
applied sources.

3. Provides balanced nutrition to crops and minimizes the antagonistic effects
resulting from hidden deficiencies and nutrient imbalance.
4. Improves and sustains the physical, chemical and biological functioning of soil.
5. Minimizes the deterioration of soil, water and ecosystem by promoting carbon
sequestration, reducing nutrient losses to ground and surface water bodies and to
atmosphere
Components:
Soil Source:Mobilizing unavailable nutrients and to use appropriate crop varieties, cultural
practices and cropping system.
Mineral Fertilizer :Super granules, coated urea, direct use of locally available rock PO4 in
acid soils, Single Super Phosphate (SSP), MOP and micronutrient fertilizers.
Organic Sources :By products of farming and allied industries. FYM, droppings, crop
waste, residues, sewage, sludge, industrial waste.
Biological Sources :Microbial inoculants substitute 15 - 40 Kg N/ha.
Fertilisers are typically classified as organic or mineral. Organic fertilisers are derived from
substances of plant or animal origin, such as manure, compost, seaweed and cereal straw.
Organic fertilisers generally contain lower levels of plant nutrients as they are combined
with organic matter that improves the soils physical and biological characteristics. The
most widely-used mineral fertilisers are based on nitrogen, potassium and phosphate.
Optimal and balanced use of nutrient inputs from mineral fertilisers will be of fundamental
importance to meet growing global demand for food (International Food Policy Research
Institute, 1995). Mineral fertiliser use has increased almost fivefold since 1960 and has
significantly supported global population growth — Smil (2002) estimates that nitrogen-
based fertiliser has contributed an estimated 40 per cent to the increases in per-capita food
production in the past 50 years. Nevertheless, environmental concerns and economic

constraints mean that crop nutrient requirements should not be met solely through
mineral fertilisers. Efficient use of all nutrient sources, including organic sources,
recyclable wastes, mineral fertilisers and biofertilisers should therefore be promoted
through Integrated Nutrient Management (Roy et al, 2006).
The aim of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is to integrate the use of natural and
man-made soil nutrients to increase crop productivity and preserve soil productivity for
future generations (FAO, 1995a). Rather than focusing nutrition management practices on
one crop, INM aims at optimal use of nutrient sources on a cropping-system or crop-
rotation basis. This encourages farmers to focus on long-term planning and make greater
consideration for environmental impacts.
INM relies on a number of factors, including appropriate nutrient application and
conservation and the transfer of knowledge about INM practices to farmers and
researchers. Boosting plant nutrients can be achieved by a range of practices covered in
this guide such as terracing, alley cropping, conservation tillage, intercropping, and crop
rotation. Given that these technologies are covered elsewhere in this guidebook, this
section will focus on INM as it relates to appropriate fertiliser use. In addition to the
standard selection and application of fertilisers, INM practices include new techniques such
as deep placement of fertilisers and the use of inhibitors or urea coatings (use of area
coating agent helps to retart the activity and growth of the bacteria responsible for
denitrification) that have been developed to improve nutrient uptake.
Key components of the INM approach include:
1. Testing procedures to determine nutrient availability and deficiencies in plants and
soils. These are:
1. Plant symptom analysis – visual clues can provide indications of specific nutrient
deficiencies. For example, nitrogen deficient plants appear stunted and pale
compared to healthy plants

2. Tissue analysis and soil testing – where symptoms are not visible, post-harvest
tissue and soil samples can be analysed in a laboratory and compared with a
reference sample from a healthy plant
2. Systematic appraisal of constraints and opportunities in the current soil fertility
management practices and how these relate to the nutrient diagnosis, for example
insufficient or excessive use of fertilisers.
3. Assessment of productivity and sustainability of farming systems. Different climates,
soil types, crops, farming practices, and technologies dictate the correct balance of
nutrients necessary. Once these factors are understood, appropriate INM technologies
can be selected
4. Participatory farmer-led INM technology experimentation and development. The need
for locally appropriate technologies means that farmer involvement in the testing and
analysis of any INM technology is essential
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum )
Basal application of organic manures:
1. Apply FYM at 12.5 t/ha or compost 25 t/ha or filter press mud at 37.5 t/ha before the
last ploughing under gardenland conditions.
2. In wetlands this may be applied along the furrows and incorporated well.
Basal Application of Fertilizer
1. If soil test is not done, follow blanket recommendation of NPK @ 300:100:200 kg/ha
Apply super phosphate (625 kg/ha) along the furrows and incorporate with hand
hoe.
2. Apply 37.5 kg Zinc sulphate/ha and 100 kg Ferrous sulphate/ha to zinc and iron
deficient soils.
3. Application of sulphur in the form of Gypsum @ 500 kg /ha to sulphur deficient soils
to increase the cane yield and juice quality.

Top Dressing with Fertilizers
a. Soil application
Apply 275 kg of nitrogen and 112.5 kg of K2O/ha in three equal splits at 30, 60 and 90 days
in coastal and flow irrigated belts (assured water supply areas).
In the case of lift irrigation belt, apply 225 kg of nitrogen and 112.5 kg of K2O/ha in three
equal splits at 30, 60 and 90 days (water scarcity areas). For jaggery areas, apply 175 kg of
nitrogen and 112.5 kg of K2O/ha in three equal splits on 30, 60 and 90 days.
Nitrogen Saving
 Neem Cake Blended Urea: Apply 67.5 kg of N/ha + 27.5 kg of Neem Cake at 30
days and repeat on 60th and 90th days.
Note: Neem cake blending: Powder the required quantity of neem cake and mix it
with urea thoroughly and keep it for 24 hours. Thus, 75 kg of nitrogen/ha can be
saved by this method.
 Azospirillum: Mix 12 packets (2400 g)/ha of Azospirillum inoculant or TNAU
Biofert –1 with 25 kg of FYM and 25 kg soil and apply near the clumps on 30th day
of planting. Repeat the same on 60th day with another 12 packets (2400 gm).
Repeat the above on the other side of the crop row on the 90th day (for lift irrigated
belt).
 Band placement: Open deep furrows of 15 cm depth with hand hoes and place the
fertilisers in the form of band and cover it properly.
 Subsurface application: Application of 255 kg of Nitrogen in the form of urea along
with potash at 15 cm depth by the side of the cane clump will result in the saving of
20 kg N/ha without any yield reduction.

Importance of Balanced Nutrition
The soil fertility has declined in many sugarcane growing areas of the state due to
improper and some times, distorted fertilizer schedules adopted over the years under
intensive cultivation of the crop. Hence balanced application of fertilizer based on soil test
values and crop requirement is essential.
Micro nutrient fertilizers :
 (a) Zinc deficient soils : Basal application of 37.5 kg/ha of zinc sulphate.
(b) Sugarcane crop with zinc deficiency symptoms: foliar spray of 0.5% zinc
sulphate with 1% urea at 15 days internal till deficiency symptoms disappear.
 (a) Iron deficient soils: Basal application of 100 kg/ha of ferrous sulphate.
(b) Sugarcane with Iron deficiency symptoms: foliar spray of 1% ferrous sulphate
with 1% urea at 15 days interval till deficiency symptoms disappear.
 Soil application of CuSO4 @ 5 kg/ha in copper deficient soils. Alternatively foliar
spray of 0.2% CuSO4 twice during early stage of crop growth.
Common Micronutrient mixture : To provide all micronutrients to sugarcane, 50 kg /ha
of micronutrient mixture containing 20 kg Ferrous sulphate,10 kg Manganese sulphate, 10
kg Zinc sulphate, 5 kg of Copper sulphate, 5 kg of Borax mixed with 100 kg of well
decomposed FYM, can be recommended as soil application prior to planting.
(Or) Application of TNAU MN mixture @ 50 kg/ha as EFYM for higher cane yield.
Recommended dosage of macro and micronutrients
Macronutrients
 Sugarcane – plant crop (meant for sugar mills) 300:100:200 kg N, P2O5 and K2O per
ha
 Sugarcane – Ratoon crop (meant for sugar mills)
 300 + 25% extra N : 100 : 200 kg N, P2O5 and K2O per ha
 Sugarcane for jaggery manufacture (plant as well as ratoon crop) 225 : 62.5 : 112.5
kg N, P2O5 and K2O per ha.

BIOFERTILIZER FOR SUGARCANE
Azospirillum is the common biofertilizer recommended for N nutrition which could
colonize the roots ofsugarcane and fix atmospheric nitrogen to the tune of about 50 to 75
kg nitrogen per ha per year. Recently, another endophytic nitrogen fixing
bacterium, Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus isolated from sugarcane can able to fix more
nitrogen than Azospirillum. It colonizes throughout the sugarcane and increases the total N
content. In soil, it can also colonize the roots and able to solubilize the phosphate, iron and
Zn. It can also enhance the crop growth, yield of sugarcane and sugar content of the juice.
Since it is more efficient than Azospirillum, this new organism was test- verified in various
centres and released as new biofertilizer Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus TNAU Biofert-I.
Phosphobacteria as P solubiliser are recommended for sugarcane crop.
Sett treatment with Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus
Before planting the sugarcane setts can be treated with ten packets (2 kg) per ha
of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus prepared as slurry with 250 L of water.
Soil application Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus
Twelve packets (2.4 kg) per ha is recommended for soil application each at 30th, 60th and
90th day after planting under irrigated condition.
Same method of application can be followed for Phosphobacteria.
 If basal application is not followed apply the same with 30th day, 60th day and 90th
day after planting and copiously irrigate the field.
 Biofertilizer treatment should be done just before planting. Immediately plant/
Irrigate after biofertilizer application.
 Do not mix biofertilizer along with chemical fertilizer.
 Reduces 25% of the recommended N to reap the benefits of biofertilizer application
Management of the Crop
1. 25% additional N application on 5-7 days after ratooning.

2. Spray Ferrous sulphate at 2.5 kg/ha on the 15th day. If chlorotic condition persists,
repeat twice further at 15 days interval. Add urea 2.5 kg/ha in the last spray.
3. First top dressing on 25th day, 2nd on 45th to 50th day.
4. Final manuring on 70th to 75th day.
Short Crop (Nursery Crop)
Apply 50 kg of urea as top dressing additionally before one month of cutting the seed cane.
Integrated Weed Management
Integrated weed management is defined as the combined use of all the methods of weed
control i.e. cultural, physical, chemical and biological methods in such a balanced way so
that there is no harmful effect of weed control practices on nature and side by side weeds
are controlled and managed effectively. It aims at bringing down the weeds intensity to
such low levels so that they do not pose any significant danger to crops and humans. It uses
the creative application of agronomic, biological and chemical methods to control weeds.
IWM is the need of the situation as today the world is facing the problem of environment
pollution due to the use of harmful and strong chemicals in curing weeds which pollute the
land, air & water very badly.So pollution free environment is essential for sustaining life on
earth, weeds .which can be brought by using IWM in weeds. The certain advantages of
integrated weed management are listed below:
a. The shift in crop weed competition in favour of crops.
b. Prevents the weeds from changing into perennial nature.
c. Prevents the resistance to herbicides in weeds.
d. Minimum pollution of the environment.
e. Contribute towards the economic crop production.
f. Minimisation of the danger of herbicide residue in soil or in plants.

CHEMICAL METHODS OF WEED CONTROL
Chemical methods offer a great potential for weed control in crops.There are certain
chemicals which function on the basis of selectivity by killing only the weed plants and not
affecting the crop or valuable plants.Such chemicals are known as herbicides. Chemicals or
herbicides were first invented in 1933 as Dinoseb, MCPA & 2,4-D in 1945. The usage of
herbicides consumption is 43% which is highest among insecticides (34%),
fungicides(21%) & 5% with other agrochemicals.herbicide market in the overall world is
increased by many folds in past 20 years or so. The various groups of chemicals used are:
a. Chlorophenoxy compounds
b. Substituted aliphatic acids
c. Benzoic acids
d. Anilides
e. Triazines
f. Carbamates
g. Thiocarbamates
h. Nitriles
i. Organophosphates
j. Substituted ureas
k. Sulphonyl ureas
The main advantages of chemical weed control are as follows:
1. Most effective as compared to other methods of weed control.
2. Very suitable for closely spaced crops.
3. Provides early season weed control.
4. Suitable for adverse soil conditions.
5. Controls many perennial weeds very effectively.

The main drawbacks of chemical methods of weed control are that they must be applied at
the proper time & with proper care; also they have harmful residue problem which has an
effect on succeeding crop & also they require some technical knowledge to use.
MECHANICAL OR PHYSICAL METHODS OF WEED CONTROL
The mechanical or physical methods of weed control are being used since man used to
grow crops.It includes various methods like hand hoeing, hand pulling, tillage, digging,
sickling, burning, flooding & mulching etc.But each of these methods is labour & time
consuming as well as not of complete or full weed control.These methods are listed in
detail below:
1. Hand hoeing: Hand hoe is the simplest tool to control annual & biennial weeds
which have shallow root system under this system, but it can not be able in
controlling deep rooted & perennial weeds.
2. Hand pulling: It is pulling out of weeds by hand.It is very economical in those areas
where weeds are scattered & very effective against annual & biennial weeds as they
do not regenerate from pieces of roots left in the ground.
3. Tillage: Weeds can be controlled by various tillage operation such as ploughing,
harrowing, planking, levelling etc. Many perennial weeds ca also be controlled by
deep ploughing continuously for a period of 3 or 5 years.
4. Digging: Under digging the underground propagating parts of perennial weeds are
removed from the deep layers of soil.It is followed by hand pulling the weeds.But it
is a labour intensive method which is its main drawback.
5. Sickling: Sickling is mostly used in case of sloppy lands to remove top weed growth
& to prevent weed seed production.
6. Burning: In this method, the weeds are burnt with fire along with crop residues in
certain crops like sugarcane, potato, maize, cotton etc.
7. Flooding: Here the weeds are managed by flooding the field with 20 -30cm standing
water for 5 to 10 weeks. It is very much useful in some perennial weeds like Cyperus
sp., Cynodon dactylon & Convolvulus arvensis.

8. Mulching: It has a smothering effect on weeds by restricting the photosynthesis.
Mulching is effective against Sorghum halepense, Cynodon dactylon etc.Mulching
can be done by straw, hay, paper, polythene films etc. in cash crops.
AGRONOMIC OR CULTURAL METHODS OF WEED CONTROL
These practices for weed control are mostly non-monetary & relatively of less
expenditure.these methods can be used to reduce the intensity of weeds to improve crop
yield.The main objective of cultural practices is to provide a short-term relief to crop
during initial growth periods of crop production.The various practices involved under the
cultural method of weed control are listed below:-
1. Planting or Sowing time :As it is a proved fact that weed seeds are thermosensitive
in nature, so by adjusting the planting or sowing time of crop plants we can exert a
smothering effect on the weeds so that the crop plants have the early advantage
over the weeds & therefore, offers less competition for the crop plants.For eg.)if
wheat is early sown then Phalaris minor has less advantage over the wheat crop.
2. Use of clean seed: To ensure that the crops must be free of primary weed infestation
the crop seed must be free from weed seeds.Phalaris minor was imported along
with Mexican wheat seed & then spread to many parts of Indian subcontinent
through movement of wheat seeds from place to place.
3. Stale seedbed preparation: The main objective of this technique is to induce
germination of weed seed with irrigations before sowing the crop so that 2-3 flushes
of germinated weeds are destroyed.This method is ideal for the crops in which
germination of crop & weed seed is synchronised.
4. The method of sowing: Closed spacing of crops always gives a chance to the crop
plants ahead of weeds.Also, bidirectional sowing of crops helps in reducing weed
growth as the distribution of plants over the space becomes adequate & healthy
crop canopy structure can be generated which can cover the weeds effectively.
5. Proper seed rate : higher seed rate enjoys an advantage over the weeds as thick crop
stand reduces space for weeds to grow & establish themselves.

6. Crop rotation :Crop rotation is also helpful as monoculture or growing of same
cropping system allows the pure stand of some permanent weeds which are very
difficult to control .for eg.) some permanent weeds of rice -wheat cropping system
such as Phalaris minor & Echinocolona sp. can be controlled by replacing wheat
with berseem, raya or winter maize.Wild oat can be completely managed from
wheat by replacing it with berseem for 3-4 years.
7. Intercropping: Weeds can also be manged effectively by intercropping of wide row-
spaced crops with closed row-spaced crops & of tall growing crops with short
growing crops.Efficient intercrops are cowpea, green gram, black gram, soybean etc.
8. Water management: weeds can also be managed properly by managing
irrigation.The role of land submergence in lowland rice has been well noticed all
over the world.Under normal irrigations to wheat crop wild oat make luxuriant
growth & affect the wheat crop, but in limited irrigation, the wheat plants overtake
the wild oat & suppress their growth & development.
BIOLOGICAL METHODS OF WEED CONTROL
These methods involve the utilisation of natural living organisms i.e. bioagents such as
insects, pathogens & competitive plants to limit the weed infestation .the objective of
biological control are not the complete eradication of weed population but bring their
population below the economic injury level.the merits of biocontrol agents are their
relative cheapness, environment comparatively long lasting effects & least environment &
the non-target organisms.Some outstanding examples of biological control of weeds are:
a.Control of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) using Necochetina eichhorniae
(hyacinth weevil);
b.Salvinia molesta (water fern) is controlled by Crystobagus spp. ;
c.Lantana camara in India has been effectively controlled by a moth Crocidosema lantana;

d.Zygograma bicolorata beetle feeds on Parthenium plants during the rainy season.
Weeds can also be controlled by this method with the help of bioherbicides such as Collego,
Devine, Biopolaris, Tripose etc.
SUGARCANE
Critical period of
weed control
4 to 5 months
Cultural method Remove the weeds along the furrows with hand hoe.
Mechanical method If herbicide is not applied work the junior-hoe along the ridges on
25, 55 and 85 days after planting for removal of weeds and proper
stirring
Chemical method 1. Pre-emergence herbicides like atrazine (2 to 3 kg/ha)
Simazine (2 to 3 kg/ha), Alachlor (1.3 to 2.5 kg/ha) etc.,
will generally last for 8 to 12 weeks
2. To obtain best results sequential application of
Preemergence and post emergence herbicides or post
emergence herbicides like Glyphosate (0.8 to 1.6 kg/ha)
Paraquat (0.4 to 0.8 kg/ha).
Integrated pest management
Integrated pest management (IPM), also known as integrated pest control (IPC) is a broad-
based approach that integrates practices for economic control of pests. IPM aims to
suppress pest populations below the economic injury level (EIL). The UN's Food and
Agriculture Organization defines IPM as "the careful consideration of all available pest
control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage
the development of pest populations and keep pesticides and other interventions to levels
that are economically justified and reduce or minimize risks to human health and the

environment. IPM emphasizes the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible
disruption to agro-ecosystems and encourages natural pest control
mechanisms."[1] Entomologists and ecologists have urged the adoption of IPM pest control
since the 1970s.[2] IPM allows for safer pest control
IPM is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical
and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks."
Aims of IPM
 Reduce the use of synthetic organic pesticides
 That are environmentally sound
 Pest minimal risk of human health
 Re-useable return on investment
 Provide consumable safe food
Principles of IPM
 Identification of key pests and beneficial organisms
 Defining the management unit, the Agro-ecosystem
 Development of management strategy
 Establishment of Economic thresholds (loss & risks)
 Development of assessment techniques
 Evolving description of predictive pest models
Tools of IPM
Monitoring: Keep tracks of the pests and their potential damage. This provides knowledge
about the current pests and crop situation and is helpful in selecting the best possible
combinations of the pest management methods.
Pest resistant varieties: Breeding for pest resistance is a continuous process. These are
bred and selected when available in order to protect against key pests.

Cultural pest control: It includes crop production practices that make crop environment
less susceptible to pests. Crop rotation, cover crop, row and plant spacing, planting and
harvesting dates, destruction of old crop debris are a few examples. Cultural controls are
based on pest biology and development.
Mechanical control: These are based on the knowledge of pest behaviour. Hand picking,
installation of bird perches, mulching and installation of traps are a few examples.
Biological control: These include augmentation and conservation of natural enemies of
pests such as insect predators, parasitoids, pathogen and weed feeders. In IPM programes,
native natural enemy populations are conserved and non-native agents are released with
utmost caution.
Chemical control: Pesticides are used to keep the pest population below economically
damaging levels when the pests cannot be controlled by other means. It is applied only
when the pest's damaging capacity is nearing to the threshold.
Livestock Based Integrated Farming System
Livestock based integrated farming system is one of the rising agriculture systems for the
northeastern region. The practice of this type of farming system has been continued in this
region in a traditional way from time immemorial. The basic principles of the farming
system are productive recycling of farm wastes. Different subsystems work together in
integrated farming system resulting in a greater total productivity than the sum of their
individual production. Fish-Livestock along with Livestock-Crop farming is the major
concept in Livestock based integrated farming system.

Fish - livestock farming systems
Fish- livestock farming systems are recognized as highly
assured technology where predetermined quantum of
livestock waste obtained by rearing the live stock in the
pond area is applied in pond to raise the fish crop without
any other additional supply of nutrients. The main potential
linkages between livestock and fish production concern use
of nutrients, particularly reuse of livestock manures for fish production. The term nutrients
mainly refer to elements such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) which function as
fertilizers to stimulate natural food webs rather than conventional livestock nutrition
usage such as feed ingredients. Both production and processing of livestock generate by-
products that can be used for aquaculture. Direct use of livestock production wastes is the
most widespread and conventionally recognized type of integrated farming. Production
wastes include manure, urine and spilled feed; and they may be used as fresh inputs or be
processed in some way before use.
Based on the type of livestock used for integration there are many combinations in
livestock-fish systems. Some of the combination are listed and discussed below.
Cattle-Fish Culture
Manuring of fish pond by using cow dung is one of the common practices all-over the
world. A healthy cow excretes over 4,000-5,000 kg dung, 3,500-4,000 lt urine on an annual
basis. Manuring with cow dung, which is rich in nutrients results in increase of natural food
organism and bacteria in fishpond. A unit of 5-6 cows can provide adequate manure for 1
ha of pond. In addition to 9,000 kg of milk, about 3,000-4,000 kg fish/ha/year can also be
harvested with such integration.
Cowshed should be built close to fishpond to simplify handling of cow manure. A cow
requires about 7,000-8,000 kg of green grass annually. Grass carp utilizes the left over
grasses, which are about 2,500 kg. Fish also utilize the fine feed which consists of grains
wasted by cows. In place of raw cow dung, biogas slurry could be used with equally good
production. Twenty to thirty thousand kg of biogas slurry are recycled in 1 ha water area to
get over 4000 kg of fish without feed or any fertilizer application.

Pig-Fish system
The waste produced by 30-40 pigs is equivalent to 1 tonne of ammonium sulphate. Exotic
breeds like White Yorkshire, Landrace and Hampshire are reared in pig-sty near the fish
pond. Depending on the size of the fishponds and their manure requirements, such a
system can either be built on the bund dividing two fishponds or on the dry-side of the
bund. Pigsties, however, may also be constructed in a nearby place where the urine and
dung of pigs are first allowed to the oxidation tanks (digestion chambers) of biogas plants
for the production of methane for household use. The liquid manure (slurry) is then
discharged into the fishponds through small ditches running through pond bunds.
Alternately, the pig manure may be heaped in localized places of fishponds or may be
applied in fishponds by dissolving in water.
Pig dung contains more than 70 percent digestible feed for fish. The undigested solids
present in the pig dung also serve as direct food source to tilapia and common carp. A
density of 40 pigs has been found to be enough to fertilize a fish pond of one hectare area.
The optimum dose of pig manure per hectare has been estimated as five tonnes for a
culture period of one year. Fish like grass carp, silver carp and common carp (1:2:1) are
suitable for integration with pigs.
Pigs attain slaughter maturity size (60-70 kg) with in 6 months and give 6-12 piglets in
every litter. Their age at first maturity ranges from 6-8 months. Fish attain marketable size
in a year. Final harvesting is done after 12 months of rearing. It is seen that a fish
production of 3,000 kg/ha could be achieved under a stocking density of 6,000 fish
fingerlings/ha in a culture period of six months.
Poultry-Fish Culture
Poultry raising for meat (broilers) or eggs (layers) can be integrated with fish culture to
reduce costs on fertilizers and feeds in fish culture and maximize benefits. Poultry can be
raised over or adjacent to the ponds and the poultry excreta recycled to fertilize the
fishponds. Poultry housing, when constructed above the water level using bamboo poles
would fertilize fishponds directly.In fish poultry integration, birds housed under intensive
system are considered best. Birds are kept in confinement with no access to outside. Deep

litter is well suited for this type of farming. About 6-8 cm thick layer prepared from
chopped straw, dry leaves, saw dust or groundnut shell is sufficient.
Poultry dung in the form of fully built up dip litter contains: 3% nitrogen, 2% phosphate
and 2% potash, therefore it acts as a good fertilizer which helps in producing fish feed i.e.
phytoplankton and zooplankton in fish pond. So application of extra fertilizer to fish pond
for raising fish is not needed. This cuts the cost of fish production by 60%. In one year 25-
30 birds can produce 1 tonne dip litter and based on that it is found that 500-600 birds are
enough to fertilize 1 ha water spread area for good fish production. Daily at the rate of 50
kg/ha water spread area poultry dung is applied to the fish pond. When phytoplanktonic
bloom is seen over the surface water of fish pond then application of poultry dung to the
pond should immediately be suspended. Poultry-fish integration also maximizes the use of
space; saves labour in transporting manure to the ponds and the poultry house is more
hygienic and water needed for poultry husbandry practice can get from fish pond.
Duck-Fish Culture
A fish-pond being a semi-closed biological system with
several aquatic animals and plants,provides excellent
disease-free environment for ducks.In return ducks
consume juvenile frogs, tadpoles and dragonfly, thus making
a safe environment for fish. Duck dropping goes directly in
pond, which in turn provides essential nutrients to stimulate growth of natural food.This
has two advantages, there is no loss of energy and fertilization is homogeneous. This
integrated farming has been followed in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra
Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Tripura and Karnataka. Most commonly used breed for this system
in India is the ‘Indian runners’.
It is highly profitable as it greatly enhances the animal protein production in terms of fish
and duck per unit area. Ducks are known as living manuring machines.The duck dropping
contain 25 per cent organic and 20 percent inorganic substances with a number of
elements such as carbon ,phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, calcium,etc. Hence, it forms a

very good source of fertilizer in fish ponds for the production of fish food
organisms.Besides manuring, ducks eradicate the unwanted insects,snails and their larvae
which may be the vectors of fish pathogenic organisms and water-borne disease-causing
organisms infecting human beings. Further, ducks also help in releasing nutrients from the
soil of ponds,particularly when they agitate the shore areas of the pond.
For duck-fish culture, ducks may be periodically allowed to range freely, or may be put in
screened resting places above the water. Floating pens or sheds made of bamboo splits may
also be suspended in the pond to allow uniform manuring. The ducks may be stocked in
these sheds at the rate of 15 to 20/m2. It is better if the ducks are left in ponds only until
they reach marketable size. Depending on the growth rate of ducks, they may be replaced
once in two to three months. About 15-20 days old ducklings are generally selected. The
number of ducks may be between 100 and 3,000/ha depending on the duration of fish
culture and the manure requirements.
For culturing fish with ducks, it is advisable to release fish fingerlings of more than 10 cm
size, otherwise the ducks may feed on the fingerlings. The stocking density of fingerlings
also depends on the size of pond and number of ducks released in it. As the nitrogen-rich
duck manure enhances both phyto and zooplankton production, phytoplankton-feeding
silver carp and zooplankton-feeding catla and common carp are ideal for duck-fish culture.
The fish rearing period is generally kept as one year and under a stocking density of
20,000/ha, a fish production of 3,000-4,000 kg/ha/year has been obtained in duck-fish
culture. In addition to this, eggs and duck-meat are also obtained in good quantity on an
annual basis.
Livestock-crop production system
An “integrated crop-livestock system” is a form of mixed production that utilizes crops and
livestock in a way that they can complement one another through space and time. The
backbone of an integrated system is the herd of ruminants (animals like sheep, goats or
cattle), which graze a pasture to build up the soil. Eventually, sufficient soil organic matter
builds up to the point where crops can be supported. Animal can also be used for farm
operations and transport. While crop residues provide fodder for livestock and grain
provides supplementary feed for productive animals.

Animals play key and multiple roles in the functioning of the farm, and not only because
they provide livestock products (meat, milk, eggs, wool, and hides) or can be converted into
prompt cash in times of need. Animals transform plant energy into useful work: animal
power is used for ploughing, transport and in activities such as milling, logging, road
construction,marketing, and water lifting for irrigation. Animals also provide manure and
other types of animal waste. Animal excreta have two crucial roles in the overall
sustainability of the system:
 Improving nutrient cycling: Excreta contain several nutrients (including nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium) and organic matter, which are important for maintaining soil
structure and fertility. Through its use, production is increased while the risk of soil
degradation is reduced.
 Providing energy: Excreta are the basis for the production of biogas and energy for
household use (e.g. cooking, lighting) or for rural industries (e.g.powering mills and water
pumps). Fuel in the form of biogas or dung cakes can replace charcoal and wood.
One key advantage of crop-livestock production systems is that livestock can be fed on crop
residues and other products that would otherwise pose a major waste disposal problem.
For example, livestock can be fed on straw, damaged fruits, grains and household wastes.
Integration of livestock and crop allows nutrients to be recycled more effectively on the
farm. Manure itself is a valuable fertilizer containing 8 kg of nitrogen, 4kg of phosphorus
and 16 kg of potassium per tonne. Adding manure to the soil not only fertilizes it but also
improves its structures and water retention capacity. It is also opined that where livestock
are used to graze, the vegetation under plantations of coconut, oil palm and rubber, as in
Malaysia, the cost of weed control can be dramatically reduced, sometimes by as much as
40 percent. In Colombia sheep are sometimes used to control weeds in sugarcane. Draught
animal power is widely used for cultivation, transportation, water lifting and powering
food processing equipment.
Over all Advantages of Integrated Farming System
1. Productivity: IFS provides an opportunity to increase economic yield per unit area per
unit time by virtue of intensification of crop and allied enterprises especially for small and
marginal farmers.

2. Profitability: Cost of feed for livestock is about 65-75% of total cost of production;
however use of waste material and their byproduct reduces the cost of production,
conversely it is same for the crop production as fertilizer requirement for crop is made
available from animal excreta no extra fertilizer is required to purchase from out side farm
as a result the benefit cost ratio increases and purchasing power of farmers improves
thereby.
3. Sustainability:In IFS, subsystem of one waste material or byproduct works as an input for
the other subsystem and their byproduct or inputs are organic in nature thus providing an
opportunity to sustain the potentiality of production base for much longer periods as
compare to monoculture farming system.
4. Balanced Food: All the nutrient requirements of human are not exclusively found in single
food,to meet such requirement different food staffs have to be consumed by farmers. Such
requirement can be fulfilled by adopting IFS at farmer level, enabling different sources of
nutrition.
5. Environmental Safety:In IFS waste materials are effectively recycled by linking
appropriate components, thus minimize environment pollution.
6. Recycling: Effective recycling of product, byproducts and waste material in IFS is the
corner stone behind the sustainability of farming system under resource poor condition in
rural area.
7. Income Rounds the year: Due to interaction of enterprises with crops, eggs, meat and
milk, provides flow of money round the year amongst farming community.
8. Saving Energy: Cattle are used as a medium of transportation in rural area more over cow
dung is used as such a burning material for cooking purpose or utilized to generate biogas
thereby reducing the dependency on petrol/diesel and fossil fuel respectively, taping the
available source within the farming system, to conserve energy.
9. Meeting Fodder crisis: Byproduct and waste material of crop are effectively utilized as a
fodder for livestock (Ruminants) and product like grain,maize are used as feed for
monogastric animal (pig and poultry).
10. Employment Generation: Combining crop with livestock enterprises would increase the
labour requirement significantly and would help in reducing the problems of under

employment to a great extent IFS provide enough scope to employ family labour round the
year.
Sustainable development in the livestock industry must meet the demands of the world’s
growing population for safe and secure food derived from animals reared under
increasingly stringent conditions while protecting the environment. We use nuclear
techniques to develop sustainable animal production platforms and systems that meet
these criteria.
If future food demand is to be met, increased output will have to come mainly from an
intensified and more efficient use of the land, water and plant and animal genetic
potential, as well as the fisheries and forestry resources that smallholder farmers,
particularly in developing countries, have at their disposal. The livestock industry has
the challenge of producing sufficient food to satisfy the increasing consumption
demands of the growing human population while at the same time reducing total
greenhouse gas emissions to protect the environment.
Jointly with the FAO, the IAEA assists Member States in developing and adopting
nuclear-based technologies to optimize livestock reproduction and breeding practices
that are in line with sustainable development principles, support the intensification of
animal production, and optimally utilize the world’s natural resources.
Integrated approaches support sustainability
Integrated, holistic and community-based approaches have been found to support a
sustainable increase in animal production. The synergies generated by integrating crop
and livestock production systems offer many opportunities for farmers to participate in
the sustainable increase in productivity and resource use efficiency. Mixed crop-
livestock systems produce about half of the world’s food. In such systems, the output of
one process becomes the input of another, and there is minimum nutrient leakage to
the environment, for example, in the form of greenhouse gas emissions.
One example for such an integrated approach is how the improvement of feed quality
and feed balancing not only lowers enteric and manure greenhouse gas emissions, but

also helps increase the farmers’ productivity and income. Another one is how improved
breeding and animal health practices help reduce overheads of animals that have been
assigned for breeding but, while consuming resources, are not yet producing, which in
turn reduces related emissions.
Another example is the silvopastoral system, which combines forestry and grazing of
domesticated animals in a mutually beneficial way. Such systems provide advantages
over grass-only pasture-livestock production systems by minimizing greenhouse gas
emissions and the chemical contamination of soil and waterways, while preserving
biodiversity by avoiding the use of vehicles, fertilizers and herbicides.
How nuclear and isotopic techniques can contribute
Radioimmunoassay of hormones using iodine-125 can identify pregnant animals in
dairy herds, a technique which can then be applied to reduce the proportion of non-
productive animals involved in breeding. Cobalt-60 can be used to construct whole-
genome radiation hybrids (RH) panels and RH mapping of livestock species and breeds,
and thereby improve animal breeding.
The analysis of carbon-13 in plants eaten by animals and in animals’ faecal samples
provides accurate estimates of feed intake by grazing and browsing animals. Stable
isotope ratios in metabolically inert tissues from infected birds and animals provide a
way of back-tracking their movements, which helps assess the risk of disease
dissemination. Gamma irradiation of pathogens makes it possible to develop attenuated
vaccines for controlling animal diseases. Finally, the incorporation of tritiated
thymidine (3H-TdR) into cellular DNA is used to measure cell proliferation and
chromium-51 (51Cr) – an assay that helps monitor vaccine responses.

Smart Farming—Automated and Connected Agriculture
Smart farming and precision agriculture involve the integration of advanced technologies into
existing farming practices in order to increase production efficiency and the quality of
agricultural products. As an added benefit, they also improve the quality of life for farm
workers by reducing heavy labor and tedious tasks.
“What will a farm look like in 50 to 100 years?” is the question posed by David Slaughter, a
professor of biological and environmental engineering at UC Davis. “We have to address
population growth, climate change and labor issues, and that has brought a lot of interest to
technology.”
Just about every aspect of farming can benefit from technological advancements—from
planting and watering to crop health and harvesting. Most of the current and impending
agricultural technologies fall into three categories that are expected to become the pillars of the
smart farm: autonomous robots, drones or UAVs, and sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT).
How are these technologies already changing agriculture, and what new changes will they
bring in the future?
Autonomous and Robotic Labour
Replacing human labor with automation is a growing trend across multiple industries, and
agriculture is no exception. Most aspects of farming are exceptionally labor-intensive, with
much of that labor comprised of repetitive and standardized tasks—an ideal niche for robotics
and automation.
We’re already seeing agricultural robots—or AgBots—beginning to appear on farms and
performing tasks ranging from planting and watering, to harvesting and sorting. Eventually,
this new wave of smart equipment will make it possible to produce more and higher quality
food with less manpower.
Driverless Tractors
The tractor is the heart of a farm, used for many different tasks depending on the type of farm
and the configuration of its ancillary equipment. As autonomous driving technologies advance,
tractors are expected to become some of the earliest machines to be converted.

In the early stages, human effort will still be required to set up field and boundary maps,
program the best field paths using path planning software, and decide other operating
conditions. Humans will also still be required for regular repair and maintenance.
Nevertheless, autonomous tractors will become more capable and self-sufficient over time,
especially with the inclusion of additional cameras and machine vision systems, GPS for
navigation, IoT connectivity to enable remote monitoring and operation and radar and LiDAR
for object detection and avoidance. All of these technological advancements will significantly
diminish the need for humans to actively control these machines.
According to CNH Industrial, a company that specializes in farm equipment and previewed
a concept autonomous tractor in 2016, “In the future, these concept tractors will be able to use
‘big data’ such as real-time weather satellite information to automatically make the best use of
ideal conditions, independent of human input, and regardless of the time of day.”
Seeding and Planting
Sowing seeds was once a laborious manual process. Modern agriculture improved on that with
seeding machines, which can cover more ground much faster than a human. However, these
often use a scatter method that can be inaccurate and wasteful when seeds fall outside of the
optimal location. Effective seeding requires control over two variables: planting seeds at the
correct depth, and spacing plants at the appropriate distance apart to allow for optimal growth.
Precision seeding equipment is designed to maximize these variables every time. Combining
geomapping and sensor data detailing soil quality, density, moisture and nutrient levels takes a
lot of the guesswork out of the seeding process. Seeds have the best chance to sprout and grow
and the overall crop will have a greater harvest.
As farming moves into the future, existing precision seeders will come together with
autonomous tractors and IoT-enabled systems that feed information back to the farmer. An
entire field could be planted this way, with only a single human monitoring the process over a
video feed or digital control dashboard on a computer or tablet, while multiple machines roll
across the field.

Automatic Watering and Irrigation
Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) is already a prevalent irrigation method that allows farmers to
control when and how much water their crops receive. By pairing these SDI systems with
increasingly sophisticated IoT-enabled sensors to continuously monitor moisture levels and
plant health, farmers will be able to intervene only when necessary, otherwise allowing the
system to operate autonomously.
Example of an SDI system for agriculture. While current systems often require the farmer to manually check lines
and monitor the pumps, filters and gauges, future farms can connect all this equipment to sensors that stream
monitoring data directly to a computer or smartphone. (Image courtesy of Jain Irrigation.)
While SDI systems aren’t exactly robotic, they could operate completely autonomously in a
smart farm context, relying on data from sensors deployed around the fields to perform
irrigation as needed.
Weeding and Crop Maintenance
Weeding and pest control are both critical aspects of plant maintenance and tasks that are
perfect for autonomous robots. A few prototypes are already being developed,
including Bonirob from Deepfield Robotics, and an automated cultivator that is part of the UC
Davis Smart Farm research initiative.
The Bonirob robot is about the size of a car and can navigate autonomously through a field of
crops using video, LiDAR and satellite GPS. Its developers are using machine learning to teach
the Bonirob to identify weeds before removing them. With advanced machine learning, or
even artificial intelligence (AI) being integrated in the future, machines such as this could
entirely replace the need for humans to manually weed or monitor crops.
The UC Davis prototype operates a bit differently. Their cultivator is towed behind a tractor
and is equipped with imaging systems that can identify a fluorescent dye that the seeds are
coated with when planted, and which transfers to the young plants as they sprout and start to
grow. The cultivator then cuts out the non-glowing weeds.

While these examples are robots designed for weeding, the same base machine can be
equipped with sensors, cameras and sprayers to identify pests and application of insecticides.
These robots, and others like them, will not be operating in isolation on farms of the future.
They will be connected to autonomous tractors and the IoT, enabling the whole operation to
practically run itself.
Harvesting from Field, Tree and Vine
Harvesting depends on knowing when the crops are ready, working around the weather and
completing the harvest in the limited window of time available. There are a wide variety of
machines currently in use for crop harvesting, many of which would be suitable for automation
in the future.
Traditional combine, forage, and specialty harvesters could immediately benefit from
autonomous tractor technology to traverse the fields. Add in more sophisticated tech with
sensors and IoT connectivity, and the machines could automatically begin the harvest as soon
as conditions are ideal, freeing the farmer for other tasks.
Developing technology capable of delicate harvest work, like picking fruit from trees or
vegetables such as tomatoes, is where high-tech farms will really shine. Engineers are working
to create the right robotic components for these sophisticated tasks, such as
Panasonic’s tomato-picking robot which incorporates sophisticated cameras and algorithms to
identify a tomato’s color, shape and location to determine its ripeness.
This robot picks tomatoes by the stem to avoid bruising, but other engineers are trying to
design robotic end effectors that will be capable of gently griping fruit and vegetables tight
enough to harvest, but not so hard that they cause damage.
Another prototype for fruit picking is the vacuum-powered apple picking robot by Abundant
Robotics, which uses computer vision to locate apples on the tree and determine if they are
ready to harvest.
These are only a few of the dozens of up-and-coming robotic designs that will soon take over
harvesting labor. Once again, with the backbone of a robust IoT system, these agbots could
continuously patrol fields, check on plants with their sensors and harvest ripe crops as
appropriate.

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