Integrated Organic Farming System

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare developed Integrated Organic Farming System (IOFS) for the benefit of farmers. IOFS is a model that consists of providing crop, cropping systems and one acre of land. The model was developed under the scheme All India Network Program on Organic Farming (AL-NPOF). The program was developed by the Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research and shall be used in different States in India.

Need for Organic Farming

Organic farming is a holistic approach that sustainably enhances productivity. The idea of organic farming is not new to India. However, after the rise of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, the organic farming method faded away. The use of synthetic farming method produced a bulk amount of food grains but decreased soil health. To create sustained fertility for the soil, organic farming methods should be shifted in place of synthetic methods.

To increase the fertility of crop growth, the organic farming method can be used. This method of farming will also benefit the farmers by bringing them a premium price for crops. The organic produce will also help the farmers to fetch International price up to 200% in favour of the farmers. Through IOFS, GoI provides opportunities for the states in India as per the production needs. The IOFS can be used especially by the North Eastern States of the country.

Scope of Organic farming

Organic farming methods act as an alternative source for pesticides, growth regulators, and synthetic fertilisers. It has facilitated the farmers with new measures related to soil health. It also helps to reduce the diseases created because of the artificial production of vegetables and fruits.

This will have a scope to increase soil fertility and more fertile lands for farming with the production of a good amount of organic products. The fertility of the soil will be maintained by returning all the nutrients through composts. This would enhance the fertility of the soil and will produce natural nutrients to the growing plant.

Pest management and disease management in organic farming methods will help to avoid the use of pesticides to grow crops. Through organic farming, the following practices shall be followed:

The rotational growing of crops, mixed growing of crops such as rice and pulses, soybean and ginger, maize, beans and other crops.
Manuring the soil with organic composts to increase the fertility of the soil.
Before cropping selection of crops, disease-resistant crops shall be selected for planting.
Naturally occurring extracts of the plant and minerals should be used for biological control methods.

Different regions in India have a variety of scope for the green revolution through integrated organic farming methods. IOFS adopted in different regions is explained as follows.

Integrated Organic farming in Kerala

The following are the crops included for the IOFS model for the state of Kerala:

S. No.	Crops
1	Turmeric
2	Coconut
3	Yam
4	Vegetable cowpea
5	Fodder
6	Banana and
7	Tapioca

IOFS model also covers livestock (2 cows) for Calicut in Kerala. The model has aimed to generate a net income of Rs. 1,23,00 lakhs per acre. It has also aimed to cover 89% of the seeds used for planting, other planting materials and nutrients required for the soil and plants.

Integrated Organic Farming in Meghalaya

The following are the crops, vegetables and fruits included for the IOFS model for the state of Meghalaya on the one-acre land:

Crops:

S. No.	Crops
1	Rice-lentil
2	Rice-pea
3	Maize
4	Soybean
5	French bean

Vegetables:

S. No.	Vegetables
1	Tomato
2	Cabbage
3	Cauliflower
4	Broccoli
5	Brinjal
6	Chilli
7	Spinach
8	Carrot
9	Pumpkin
10	Bitter gourd

Fruits:

S. No.	Fruits
1	Assam lemon
2	Papaya
3	Peach
4	Guava

For livestock, the IOFS model includes one milch cow & 1 calf. IOFS model for fishery includes 0.046 hectares of land, and it has been established Umiam, Meghalaya. The IOFS model has recorded a net income of Rs.73,903 per year. The IOFS model also includes 80% of the seeds, planting materials required for cropping and nutrients for the soil.

Integrated Organic Farming in Sikkim

In Sikkim, a 1.25 acre of land has been used for the integrated organic farming model. The following are the crops produced in Sikkim:

S. No.	Crops
1	Rice
2	Pea
3	Potato
4	Toria
5	Maize
6	Soybean
7	Coriander
8	Radish
9	Broccoli
10	Fenugreek
11	Cauliflower
12	Beetroot
13	Spinach
14	Buckwheat

For livestock, IOFS model includes two cows and 50 poultry birds. Through the IOFS model, the net income has been aimed at Rs.1,37,000 per year.

Integrated Organic farming in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, one acre integrated Organic farming system model is used for the following crops and fruit:

S. No.	Crops
1	Okra
2	Coriander
3	Maize
4	Cotton
5	Fodder grasses (CoCN4 and Desmanthus)
6	Banana

For livestock, the IOFS model includes two cows, vermicomposting and boundary plantations. The model shall aim to produce a return of Rs.1,68,669 per acre. Hence the system generates about 84% of the organic products, seeds used, nutrients, and other botanical formulations for disease-free crops.