From Traditional Farming to Integrated Farming
How Mr. Charan Boro built a profitable poultry-fish-maize farm with KVK and NABARD support
Abstract
Mr. Charan Boro, a farmer from a rural village in Udalguri district of Assam, has become a successful integrated farmer with training and continuous technical support from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Udalguri. Under a NABARD-sponsored Integrated Farming System (IFS) project, he set up a poultry-fish-maize module on his farm and now earns a net profit of Rs 3,20,000 a year from agriculture and allied activities. NABARD supported the project for two years, and he has continued it on his own since. Today he is a role model in his village and a successful rural entrepreneur in the Bhergaon sub-division of Udalguri district.
- Keywords:
- Poultry
- Integrated Farming System
- NABARD
- Entrepreneurship
Introduction
Most people in Udalguri district eat meat and fish, so demand for both is high. More than 32 per cent of the district’s population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, and many families depend on animal husbandry for their livelihood. Yet local production of meat and fish falls well short of market demand.
KVK Intervention
In 2020, Mr. Charan Boro of Kathalbari village came in contact with KVK Udalguri scientists and showed keen interest in integrated farming. He was already raising fish in two ponds covering 0.26 ha. KVK held trainings on his farm in 2020-21, and after discussions with him, selected him for a poultry-fish-maize IFS module.
- 2020Came in contact with KVK Udalguri scientists
- 2020-21On-farm trainings by KVK; selected for the poultry-fish-maize IFS module
- 2022-23IFS project launched on his farm with fingerlings, a poultry house and 50 Vanaraja birds for egg production
- After two yearsContinued the module on his own after NABARD support ended
The Transformation
Before KVK’s intervention, Mr. Boro grew paddy and toria in a double-cropping sequence on 3.2 ha, reared pigs and goats, and raised fish in the traditional way. He grew rice varieties such as Ranjit, Bahadur, Swarna, Maniram, Joha and Barni, and toria varieties Local and TS-38. With KVK’s guidance, he has turned these separate activities into a well-integrated farm.
Before
- Paddy and toria double cropping
- Traditional fish culture
- Piggery and goat rearing
After
- Poultry-fish-maize IFS module
- Improved goat breeds
- Diverse improved and local poultry
- Piggery and double cropping continued
Economic Impact
The integrated poultry-cum-fish unit is the backbone of the farm, giving a net profit of Rs 2,34,000 a year. Poultry earns an average of Rs 1,10,000 a year and double cropping Rs 80,000. His Beetal bucks provide breeding service three times a week, and the sale of kids and wethers adds Rs 24,000 a year. Altogether, Mr. Boro earns a net profit of Rs 3,20,000 a year from agriculture and allied activities.
Conclusion
Mr. Charan Boro’s journey shows how a traditional farmer can raise his income substantially by combining poultry, fish, crops and livestock into one integrated system. The fact that he has kept the IFS module running on his own after project support ended proves its practicality and profitability. He is now a role model for farmers in Bhergaon and across Udalguri district, showing how scientific guidance from KVK and timely support from NABARD can help double farmers’ income.
