Types of Farming Systems: A farming system involves a variety of agricultural enterprises including crop production, livestock, poultry, fisheries, and utilization of available resources to increase profitability for farmers. This combination of different factors contributes to the overall success and financial viability of a farming operation.
Types of farming system
1) Based on Semi-Commercial system
Mixed farming
- A system of farming on a particular farm which includes crop production, raising livestock, poultry, fisheries, beekeeping, etc. Mixed farming aims to have a well-rounded farm that brings in more profits without changing the ecological balance.
- Also known as diversified farming it has several benefits, including optimal land utilization, risk reduction, and increased farm income.
Response farming
- Stewart, 1988 coined response farming based on analysis of weather data. It is like a prediction of monsoon rainfall based on pre-monsoon weather data and then planning how to cultivate crops.
Precision farming
- Also known as site-specific farming, it involves the targeted utilization of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides based on the specific requirements of crops in localized areas.
Advantages of precision farming:
- Minimizes the overall cost of production by optimizing the use of resources, ensuring that inputs are applied only where and when they are needed.
- Ecological balance by minimizing the use of unnecessary inputs.
- Conservation of resources by preventing waste resources like water, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Intensive Farming
- It is a type of farming in which intensive use of inputs like fertilizers, irrigation, mechanization, and high-yielding crop varieties and livestock, in order to maximize productivity and yield from a given land area.
- Intensive farming practices contribute to global warming, due to excessive use of synthetic fertilizers.
- The emergence of new parasites and diseases in the environment due to the high density of livestock farming.
2) Traditional Farming Methods
Subsistence Farming
- In subsistence farming, people cultivate a variety of crops primarily to provide food for their own families, rather than to sell in markets.
- The main goal is to make sure there is enough food to feed everyone in the household.
- Most of the crops that are harvested are consumed by the family, with only a small portion left for potential trade. subsistence farming is the opposite of commercial agriculture.
Organic farming
Also visit: Organic Fertilizer and Biofertilizer
- Organic farming is a system that avoids the use of chemical fertilizers like chemical fertilizer, pesticides, hormones etc and they depend on crop rotation, crop residues, animal manures, and off-farm organic waste for nutrient and plant protection.
3) Based on the annual rainfall of the cropping system
Dry farming
- Cultivation of crops in areas where annual rainfall is less than 750 mm.
- Crop failure due to prolonged dry spells during the crop period is most common.
- Dry farming is practiced in arid regions with the help of moisture conservation practices.
- An alternate land use system is suggested in this region.
Dryland farming
- Cultivation of crops in areas where annual rainfall is more than 750 mm but less than 1150 mm is called dry land farming.
- The soil moisture conservation measure is the key to dry land farming practices in semi-arid regions.
- A drainage facility may be required especially in black soil.
Rainfed farming
- Cultivation of crops in regions where annual rainfall is more than 1150 mm is known as rainfed farming.
- This farming is practiced in humid regions.
Comparison Study of Dry Farming, Dryland Farming and Rainfed Farming
| Particular | Dry Farming | Dryland Farming | Rainfed Farming |
| Rainfall/annum (mm) | Dry farming rainfall < 750 | Dryland farming rainfall 750 – 1150 | Rainfed Farming rainfall >1150 |
| Moisture availability | Acute shortage | Shortage | Enough |
| Crop growing season | < 75 days | 75 – 120 days | > 120 days |
| Growing region | Arid | Semi-Arid | Humid |
| Cropping systems | Single crop/ Inter-cropping | Single crop/ Inter-cropping | Inter/multi-cropping |
| Dry spells | Most common | Less frequent | No occurrence |
| Crop failure | More frequent | Less frequent | Rare |
| Constraints | Wind erosion | Wind erosion/ Water erosion | Water erosion |
| Measures required | Moisture conservation practices | Moisture conservation practices & Drainage for vertisols | Proper drainage required |
4) Commercial system
Livestock farming
- Also known as animal husbandry is a branch of agriculture Livestock farming involves the rearing of animals for various purposes, such as meat, milk, and fiber.
Dairy farming
- Dairy farming focuses on the production of milk and other dairy products. It involves specialized techniques for cattle management, milk processing, and maintaining milk quality. Dairy farmers play a vital role in meeting the global demand for milk and dairy products.
Fish farming
- Fish farming, also known as aquaculture, involves raising fish and other aquatic organisms for food or ornamental purposes.
Goat farming
- Also known as caprine farming, is a rewarding and versatile branch of livestock farming that involves the raising and management of goats. Goat farming offers a wide range of opportunities, whether for meat production, milk production, fiber production, or land management purposes.
- Sheep and goat manure contain higher nutrients than farmyard manure and compost.
Poultry farming
- Poultry farming involves the rearing of chickens, ducks, turkeys, and other poultry birds for meat and egg production. Poultry farming not only provides a source of nutritious protein but also offers economic benefits.
5) Modern Farming Techniques
Hydroponics
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- The word “hydroponics” comes from the Greek words “hydro” (water) and “ponos” (labor), reflecting the water-based nature of this cultivation technique. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, where plants are grown in a nutrient-rich water solution. Plants receive all the necessary nutrients directly through the water.
Aeroponics
- The term “aeroponics” stems from the Greek words “aero” (air) and “ponos” (labor), highlighting the air-based nature of this cultivation technique. Aeroponics is an advanced method of growing plants without soil, plants are suspended in air, and their roots are misted or sprayed with a nutrient-rich water solution.
- The nutrients and water will be in the form of steam gas, and nutrients added to the water are carefully calculated.
- It saves over 90% of water and nutrients.
Aquaponics
- Aquaponics is a system of sustainable food production that combines aquaculture (the cultivation of aquatic organisms like fish) with hydroponics (the cultivation of plants in water). In aquaponics, the fish waste becomes valuable nourishment for the plants.
- Aquaponics is often considered an environmentally friendly and efficient method of growing food.
6) Specialized Forms of Farming
Agro-Forestry
- Agroforestry is a sustainable land management system that increases the use of land and combines the production of crops, fruits, forest plants, or animals. It is also called a tree-crop planting system.
Also visit: Agro-silviculture
Vertical Farming
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- Vertical farming includes increased crop yields per square foot and reduced water usage. Vertical farming refers to the practice of growing crops in vertically stacked layers or vertically inclined surfaces, typically in indoor environments or controlled environments like greenhouses.
- Use of artificial lighting, climate control, and hydroponic or aeroponic systems to provide optimal growing conditions for plants.
Urban farming
- Urban farming refers to growing, processing, and distributing food within our cities and towns. It involves growing crops, raising animals, and sometimes even cultivating fish or other aquatic organisms in urban settings such as rooftops, balconies, community gardens, or vacant lots.
7) Alternative Farming Techniques
Permaculture
- The term “permaculture” combines the words “permanent” and “agriculture,” Design or development of agriculture ecosystems in a permanent self-sufficient, and sustainable way. In permaculture were land, resources, people, and the environment through mutually beneficial synergies.
Also visit: Full details of Permaculture
Biodynamic farming
- Biodynamic farming is a holistic approach to agriculture that focuses on nurturing the health of the soil and plants while minimizing the use of synthetic chemicals. It involves utilizing natural fertilizers like manures and composts instead of artificial fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides.
Regenerative Agriculture
- Regenerative agriculture is an approach to farming that aims to restore and enhance the health and vitality of the soil, ecosystem, and community. It goes beyond sustainable agriculture by actively working to regenerate degraded land, improve soil fertility (cover cropping or mulching, diversifying crop rotations), and promote biodiversity.
