2025, Vol. 8, Special Issue 1

author(s)
Subhash Rawat, Sunil Kumar Arsia, Akhilesh Kulade and DK Vani

abstract
This study evaluates the efficiency of Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) in enhancing employment opportunities in Central India, focusing on the districts of Rajnandgaon and Kawardha in Chhattisgarh, and Balaghat and Mandla in Madhya Pradesh. IFSs integrate various components such as crop production, animal husbandry, horticulture, aquaculture, and agroforestry, offering a sustainable agricultural model aimed at improving productivity and ensuring economic stability for smallholder farmers. The primary objective was to compare the efficiency of IFSs in generating employment across the selected districts. Using a multistage random sampling design, the study selected two blocks from each district and randomly chose sixteen villages in each state, resulting in a total sample size of 320 respondents (160 from each state). The research employed surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions to assess the impact of various IFS activities on employment generation. The findings revealed significant differences between the states, with crop production, cattle rearing, and vegetable cultivation being the main employment drivers in Chhattisgarh, while crop production, cattle rearing, and poultry farming were dominant in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh demonstrated higher average employment generation, indicating more effective utilization of IFSs for livelihood enhancement. These results highlight the potential of IFSs to increase smallholder farmers' income, promote employment, and foster sustainable agricultural practices, offering valuable insights for policymakers and agricultural planners in the region.