Concept, Types and System of Farming

1. Types of Farming System
Prepared By: Dr. Pooja Goswami
Assistant Professor (Agronomy)
College of Agriculture, Balaghat
JNKVV, Jabalpur(M.P.)

2. Farm: Farm is an area of land and its buildings which
is used for growing crops and rearing animals. It is
devoted primarily to agricultural processes with the
primary objective of producing food and other crops. It
is the basic facility in food production.
System: A system is a set of inter-related, interacting
and interdependent elements acting together for a
common purpose and capable of reacting as a whole to
external stimuli. It is unaffected by its own output and
it has external boundaries based on all significant feed
backs. Introduction:

3. Definition of Farming system:
Farming system is a mixture of farm enterprises such as
crop, livestock, aquaculture, agro forestry and fruit crops to
which farm family allocates its resources in order to
efficiently manage the existing environment for the
attainment of the family goal.
Or
Farming system is a resource management strategy to
achieve economic and sustained agricultural production to
meet diverse requirements of farm livelihood while
preserving resource base and maintaining a high level of
environment quality.

4. Farming system represents an appropriate combination
of farm enterprises (cropping systems, horticulture,
livestock, fishery, forestry, poultry, etc) and the means
available to the farmer to raise them for profitability. It
interacts adequately with environment without
dislocating the ecological and socioeconomic balance
on one hand and attempts to meet the national goals on
the other.

5. Concept of farming system
In farming system, the farm is viewed in a holistic manner.
Farming enterprises include crops, dairying, poultry, fishery,
sericulture, piggery and tree crops.
Farm as an unit is to be considered and planned for effective
integration of the enterprises to be combined with crop
production activity, such that the end-products and wastes of one
enterprise are utilized effectively as inputs in other enterprise.
For example the wastes of dairying viz., dung, urine, refuse etc
are used in preparation of FYM or compost which serves as an
input in cropping system. Likewise the straw obtained from
crops (maize, rice, sorghum etc) is used as a fodder for dairy
cattle. Further, in sericulture the leaves of mulberry crop as a
feeding material for silkworms, grain from maize crop are used
as a feed in poultry etc.

6. Farming System Concept:
A farm is a system in that it has INPUTS, PROCESSES,
OUTPUTS and FEEDBACK .
Depending on the type of farming e.g. arable/pastoral,
commercial/subsistence, the type and amount of inputs,
processes and outputs will vary.
Income through arable farming alone is insufficient for bulk
of the marginal farmers.
The other activities such as dairying, poultry, sericulture,
apiculture, fisheries etc. assume critical importance in
supplementing their farm income.

7. Activities in Farming System

8. Components of farming system
1. Crops, livestock, birds and trees.
2. Cropping systems like monocrop, mixed/ intercrop, multi-
tier crops of cereals, legumes (pulses), oilseeds, forage etc.
3. Livestock components may be cows, buffalos, goats,
sheeps, poultry and bees.
4. Tree components may include fruit trees, timber, fuel and
fodder.

9. Broad categories of farming
systems:
1. Irrigated farming system, embracing a broad
range of food and cash crop production.
2. Wetland rice-based farming system, dependent
upon seasonal rains supplemented by irrigation.
3. Rainfed farming system in humid areas
characterized by specific dominant crops or mixed
crop-livestock system.
4. Rainfed farming system in steep and highland
areas, which are often, mixed crop- livestock
System.

10. Continued…
5. Rainfed farming system in dry or cold low
potential areas, with mixed crop-livestock and
pastoral system merging into system with very
low current productivity or potential because
of extreme aridity or cold.
6. Dualistic (mixed large commercial and small
holders) farming system, across a variety of
ecologies and with diverse production patterns.
7. Coastal artisanal fishing system, which often
incorporate mixed farming elements.

11. Indigenous farming systems
There are the three major indigenous farm
systems in India.
1. Shifting cultivation,
2. Taungya cultivation and
3. Zabo cultivation

12. Shifting cultivation
It refers to farming system in north-eastern areas in which
land under natural vegetation (usually forests) is cleared by
slash and burn method, cropped with common arable crops for a
few years and then left unattended when natural vegetation
regenerates. Traditionally, the fallow period is 10-20 years but
in recent times it is reduced to 2-5 years in many areas.
 Due to increasing population pressure, the fallow period is
drastically reduced and system has degenerated causing serious
soil erosion, depleting soil fertility resulting into low
productivity.
In north-eastern India, many annual and perennial crops with
diverse growth habits are being grown.

13. Shifting Cultivation (Slash & Burn)

14. Taungya cultivation
The Taungya system is like an organized and scientifically
managed shifting cultivation. The word is reported to have
originated in Myanmar (Burma) and Tauang means hill, ya means
cultivation i.e., hill cultivation.
It involves cultivation of crops in forests or forest trees in crop
fields and was introduced to Chittagong and Bengal areas in
colonial India in 1890. this system consists of growing annual
arable crops along with the forestry species during early years of
establishment of the forest plantation.
The land belongs to forest department or their large scale leases,
who allows the subsistence farmers to raise their crops and in turn
protect tree saplings.
It is not merely temporary use of a piece of land and a poverty
level wage, but is a chance to participate equitably in a diversified
and sustainable agro-forestry economy.

15. Zabo cultivation
The Zabo is an indigenous farming system practiced in north-
eastern hill regions, The place of origin of zabo farming system
is thought to be the Kikruma village in Phek district of
Nagaland.
Zabo means impounding of water. This system refers to
combination of forest, agriculture, livestock and fisheries with
well-founded soil and water conservation base.
Rainwater is collected from the catchment of protected hill
tops of above 100 per cent slopes in a pond with seepage
control. Cultivation fully depends on the amount of water stored
in the pond.

16. The Zabo is an indigenous farming system practiced in
north-eastern hill regions, The place of origin of zabo farming
system is thought to be the Kikruma village in Phek district of
Nagaland.
Zabo means impounding of water. This system refers to
combination of forest, agriculture, livestock and fisheries with
well-founded soil and water conservation base.
Rainwater is collected from the catchment of protected hill
tops of above 100 per cent slopes in a pond with seepage
control. Cultivation fully depends on the amount of water
stored in the pond.

17. Principles of farming system
1. Minimization of risk
2. Recycling of wastes and residues
3. Integration of two or more enterprises
4. Optimum utilization of all resources
5. Maximum productivity and profitability
6. Ecological balance
7. Generation of employment potential
8. Increased input use efficiency
9. Use of end products from one enterprise as
input in other enterprise

18. Characteristics of farming system
1. Farmer oriented & holistic approach
2. Effective farmer‘s participation
3. Unique problem solving system
4. Dynamic system
5. Gender sensitive
6. Responsible to society
7. Environmental sustainability
8. Location specific of technology
9. Diversified farming enterprises to avoid risks due
to environmental constraints
10. Provides feedback from farmers

19. TYPE OF FARMING
The types of farming refers to the nature &
degree of products or combination of product
being produced in a farm & the method of
practice used in the farm
SYSTEM OF FARMING
The system of farming concerned with the
organisational set-up under which the farm is
being run

20. FACTORS DETERMINING
THE TYPE OF FARMING
Physical factors 1.Climate
2.Soil
3.Topography
Economic & Social factors
1.Availability of capital & labour
2.Location of processing plant
3.Marketing facilities & transportation
Objective of the farmer
1.Income
2.Production
3.Minimising cost

21. THE EFFECT OF CLIMATE
The climate of a particular place affect what types of
plant grow well here
Important factor are
• Hours of sunshine
• Temperature
• Rainfall
Way to overcome on climate affects
• Greenhouse
• Artificial irrigation system
• New verities & new farm management practice
• Agri - insurance & livestock's insurance

22. TYPES OF FARMING
A.On the basis of % income derived from enterprises.
1. specialised farming
2. diversified farming
3. mixed farming
B.On the basis of farm size.
1.large scale farming
2.small scale farming
C.On the basis of annual rainfall.
1.Dry farming
2.Dry land farming
3.Rainfed farming

23. Continue.....
D. On the basis of value of Products/Income or
Comparative Advantages:
1.Extensive farming
2.Intensive farming
E. Other type
1.Ranching or pastoral farming
2.Irrigated or garden land farming
3.Organic farming
4.Landless livestock farming

24. SPECIALISED FARMING
Major enterprise contribute more than 50% to total
farm income.(Particular enterprises is
predominant) e.g. dairy farming, poultry farming,
sugarcane farming etc.
Advantage :-
• Efficient utilisation of land, labour & equipment.
• Better management & marketing.
• Efficiency skill are increased.
Disadvantage
• Greater risk
• Fertility of soil can’t be maintained.

25. DIVERSIFIED FARMING
A number of enterprises are taken up on a farm & no
single enterprise are relative more
important.e.g.Crop+Livestock+fishery farming
Advantage
• Better use of resources .
• Risk is reduced.
• Regular & quicker return are obtained from various
sources.
Disadvantage
• Marketing is insufficient.
• Ineffective supervision & mismanagement.
• Better equipping of the farm is not possible.

26. MIXED FARMING
• Combination of two or more than independent agricultural
enterprises on the same farm.
• In mixed farming system income from livestock sector should be at
least 10-49%
Advantage
• Efficient use of land, labour, equipment & other resources
• Proper use of by-product.
• Provide employment & better income throughout the year
Disadvantage
• Ineffective supervision & mismanagement.
• Better equipping of the farm is not possible.

27. LARGE SCALE FARMING
Size of herd or flock is large and it need
more land, labour & capital
Advantage
• Per unit cost of production is less
• Mechanization of farm activities
• Increased efficiency of land, labour & by product
• Easy to get finance
• Better marketing of product
Disadvantage
• Risk is high(natural calamities ,labour strike , price
fluctuation)
• Difficulties in supervision

28. SMALL SCALE FARMING
Size of herd or flock is small and it is easy to
managed by family labour & requires less
capital.
Advantage
• Risk is low due to natural calamities, price fluctuation.
• Effective supervision.
Disadvantage
• Per unit cost of production is high.
• Mechanization of farm activities are not possible.
• Farmer don’t get employment round the year.

29. DRY FARMING
• Farming in the area where rainfall is deficient
with coincidence of high wind velocity
resulting into heavy water loss and there is no
assured source of artificial irrigation.
Types of dry farming Annual rainfall
Dry farming Less than 750 mm
Dry land farming More than 750 mm & less than
1150 mm
Rain fed farming More than 1150 mm

30. INTENSIVE FARMING
More capital is used in
small area
Intensive farming
involves chemical,
fertilizer, pesticides, &
growth regulator
hormones.
Provide large quantity
of relative cheap food.
Intensive farms are
profitable
2
1

31. EXTENSIVE FARMING
Extensive farming is an agricultural production system
that uses small inputs of labour, fertilizers, & capital
relative to the land area being farmed e.g. sheep and cattle
farming
Extensive farming systems strongly depend on natural factors
Advantages
• Mechanisation can be used more effectively .
• Less labour per unit areas is required.
• Animal welfare
• Lower requirements of inputs such as fertilizers.
• Local environment and soil are not damaged by over use of
chemicals.
Disadvantages
• Yields much lower than intensive farming in the short term.

32. Ranching or pastoral farming
Practice of grazing animal on pasture.
Common practice in cooler region with less population
density.
Irrigated /garden land farming
Artificial resource of water for irrigation in area where
rainfall is insufficient.
Landless livestock farming
Practice of grazing animals on the road side ,Govt Land,
forest

33. ORGANIC FARMING
Organic farming is the form of agriculture
that relies on technique such as crop rotation
green manure, compost, and biological pest
control to maintain soil productivity & to
control pest on farm
 Economics
 Consumer safety.
Pesticide residues(Organic produce had 30%
lower risk for contamination with any
detectable pesticide residue)

35. Subsistence Farming
Farms that are operated to meet the needs
of the owners with little or no extra
produced.
Subsistence farms usually involve small
tracts of land. An example would be a
backyard garden.
 Subsistence farms are labour intensive.
They use people more than money or
machinery

36. Features of Subsistence Farming
The whole family works on the farm
 Most of the work is done manually The
farms are small
Tradition methods of farming are followed
Yield is not very high
Most of the yield is consumed by the family
with very little surplus for the family

37. Subsistence Farming

38. SYSTEM OF FARMING

39. PEASANT FARMING
• Organisational set up in which individual
cultivator is the owner, manager, & organiser
of the farm.
• Huge numbers of people living in densely
packed(Fertile land and high yields)area.
• Equatorial / monsoon climate.(high temperatures
and high rainfall with wet and drier season).
• Farmer free to take all type of decision.
• Resources are limited

40. STATE FARMING
• Farm operation & management is done by
Government official or university.
• No limitation of resources.
• Mechanization of farm activities
• Supervision by farm manager
• Laboured hired on daily/monthly basis.
• State farming is not profitability

41. CAPITALISTIC FARMING
• Estate farming
• Ownership & management under rich
person(capitalists),or Group of individuals
(Shareholder)
• Farm size is large.
• Management are very efficient.
• Resources are not limited.
• New technology are easily adopted.
• Mechanization of farm activities Common in USA,CANADA
,hills of INDIA

42. COLLECTIVE FARMING
• Farm ownership & management under society.
• All family head member surrender their land ,
livestock , and machine to the society.
• Management committee elected by member.
• Farm is considered as a unit.
• Resources belong to society.
• Payment to the workers on the basis of quality and
quantity of work.
• Committee provide services to their member.
• Very common in communist countries(China ,Cuba
etc.)

43. CO-OPERATIVE FARMING
• Members pool their resources voluntarily &
manage farm jointly under a democratic set-
up.
• Pooled land treated as one unit.
• Effective utilisation of pooled resources.
• Farmer retain right on his own land.
• A part of the profit is divided in proportion to
the land contributors, and rest is distributed in
proportion to the labour contributed by each
farmer.

44. Classification of co-operative farming society
• All India co-operative planning committee(1951) classify
co-operative farming society into 4 group
Type of co-operative farming
society
Type of
ownership
Operation ship
Co-operative better farming Individual Individual
Co-operative joint farming Individual collective
Co-operative tenant farming collective Individual
Co-operative collective farming collective collective