Abstract

Five farming Systems, viz., dairy based, poultry based, dairy cum poultry based, improved pure cropping and tribal farmers method of cropping were compared under rainfod conditions during 1976-81 Horticultural Research Station. Yercaud. In the farm unit of 3 acres, dairy (3 milch cows) cum poultry (6 layers) based farming gave a higher net annual income of Rs.5529) and provided more employment of 556 man days per year as against Rs: 1107/ and 304 man days respectively in the tribal method of cropping alone. The next best system was dairy based mixed farming. Cropping pattern drawn to link dairy cum poultry consisted of Coffee 1.0 acre, finger millet 0 40 acre, maize + cowpea 0.50 acre, pulses 0.50 acre during first season followed by wheat 0.40 and vegetables 10 acre in the second season with Iperennial grass N.B.21 and lucerne 0.30 acre each. By recycling the animal waste the value of nutrients added to soil is Rs.1000/- and Rs. 90/- per year by dairy and poultry respectively.

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