- The meteorological data of different agroclimatic regions of Tamil Nadu have clearly indicated that the seasonal rainfall in rainfed areas is very low and the distribution is also highly erratic. It is evident that if the required moisture and nutrient at the critical growth phase of the short duration field crops are not satisfied, the yield of the crop will be affected drastically. Most of the years, the farmer experiences complete failure of the crop due to non-availability of moisture at the critical stage. This is the reason why conventional rainfed agriculture is said to be out and out a gamble. To overcome complete failure in the rainfed areas through traditional crop activity being practiced, integrating different enterprises and utilizing the biomass built up, have been identified as a successful venture to give regular income to the rainfed farmers. There is a good scope for getting required biomass even with the available erractic seasonal rainfall, to the allied enterprises likely to be integrated viz., goat, buffalo, pigeon, rabbit, etc. The outcome of these enterprises will be an alternate source for protein, CHO, fat, minerals, vitamins and energy. Drought tolerant perennial forest wood/timber value trees can also be raised utilizing the rainfall received round the year and can be a good source for valuable fuel wood or timber after some years. Similarly, drought tolerant perennial horticultural fruit crops can also be raised utilizing the rainfall received round the year and thus could help in improving the income of the resource poor rainfed farmers.
- Farming system models of different situation could enhance the productivity of the farm, improve the profitability of the farmer and sustain the productivity of the soil through recycling of organic source of nutrients from the enterprises involved. IFS also helps to realize money round the year by sale of milk, egg, meat, edible mushroom etc. to the resource poor farmers. Unlike crop activity, where the involvement of labourers for individual operations are bulky with limited number of operations at wider interval. The enterprise linkage provides good opportunity for day to day operations with limited labourers. This helps the family labourers of the rainfed farmers to work for the farm round the year. The standard of living of the farmer will also improve substantially by the linkage of biogas, quality food commodities for the family use, availability of money round the year etc. However there are certain constraints anticipated in the progress of this technology.
- Heavy investment in the initial stage, especially for the procurement of enterprises.
- Involvement of multi-disciplinary activities like Animal Husbandry, Fishery, Sericulture, Horticulture, Forestry, Agricultural Engineering etc.
- Non-availability of improved cultivars/varieties/breeds at farm site.
- Lack of know-how especially on the constituents of feed and the possibility of supplementing from their own produces with cheaper rate.
- Lack of marketing for the produces from different enterprises at village level
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