Question

Giving examples of at least 4 farming systems, describe factors that are considered in selection of a given farming system

Answer 1

Farms are said to be systems as there are several activities which are closely interwined by the mutual use of farm labour, land, capital and farmer's management capacity. A farming system is an unique and relatively stable arrangement of farming enterprises. It is managed by a household/farmer according to well-defined actions and practices which are in response to the given physical, biological and socio-economic environment as well as in accordance with the household goals, preferences and its resources. This combination of factors influence the output and production methods. Human labour is that element which provides the framework for developing and utilizing a particular farming system.

The factors which are considered while selecting a farming system can be grouped into broad categories like natural and socio-economic factors. The natural factors can further be broken down into physical and biological factors.

I. Natural factors:

1) Physical factors: Include all external conditions and influences which affect the development of crops.

a) Climatic factors such as solar radiation/sunlight, rainfall , temperature, relative humidity and wind.

b) Soils: Such as soil aeration, soil structure, soil reaction, provision of mineral nutrients, soil fertility and absence of growth-restricting elements.

c) Topographic factors like the position of the farm on the toposequence.

2) Biological factors: Such as type of crops, pests, livestock, presence of weed and diseases.

II. Socio-Economic factors: These factors can be broken down into exogenous and endogenous factors.

1) Endogenous factors include family composition, education, risk aversion nature, health, nutrition standards, attitude, goals, food preferences and gender relations.

2) Exogenous factors include population, social infrastructure, tenure, credit, off-farm opportunities, markets, input supply, prices, extension, technology and savings.

Examples of farming systems:

i) Arable farming: In this farming system, the farmer cultivates only crops, mostly annual, like vegetables, grains, legumes etc. In this type of farming, there is requirement of specialized skills. It can be done on a small or a commercial scale.

ii) Mixed farming: In this farming system, the farmer cultivates crops and raises animals simultaneously, on the same piece of land. There is continuous crooping throughout the season and is a good option if there is good rainfall or irrigation facilities in the area. It is typically done on a small to medium scale.

iii) Subsistence farming: With this type of farming, the farmer produces food for his own and his family's consumption. It is usually done on small landholdings and using simple farm tools. In this type of farming, there is not much use of fertilizers, and improved seeds and the productivity is typically low. The farmer and his household utilize most of the food they produce. The features of this farming include small farms, most of the work is done manually , traditional ways of farming are followed, yield is not that high and the family works on and consumes nost of the produce.

iv) Shifting cultivation: In this farming system, the farmer clears off a piece of forest land, fells tress, burns the residue and then utilizes the piece of land to cultivate crops for three to five years. After that, the land loses out on its fertility, then the land is left to regain its fertility during what is known as the fallow period. After the period is over, the land has regained its fertility and the farmer could come back to cultivate the land again. This is not typically encouraged by the government and neither is it good for the environment.

v) Plantation farming: It is also known as the tree crop farming, where the farmer grows one specific type of crop on a relatively large piece of land. Such crops are usually grown on a commercial basis and include tea, coffee, cocoa, mangoes, coconut, etc. This farming system needs good management, technical knowledge, and adequate use of machines, fertilizers, irrigation facilities etc. This farming system results in high levels of output of a particular crop, higher use of machines, and requires huge capital investment.