In India, nearly 76 million hectares of land is under rain fed cultivation and therefore, rain fed agriculture will continue to play an important role in the Indian economy. The discouraging results of conventional cropping systems in advancing the productivity of small farms were the driving force in the development of farming systems research. It views the whole farm as a system with the integration of crops, animals, poultry, soils, labor and other all available inputs and environmental influences wherein the farm family attempts to produce outputs within the limitations of its capability and resources and the socio-cultural setting. IFS seem to be the possible solution to the continuous increase of demand for food and nutrition and income stability particularly for small and marginal farmers with little resources. This new concept of IFS will help in productivity enhancement, employment generation, gave more income and nutritional security both for human and livestock. IFS different components are complementary relate with each other and one component become source of food for other components. This literature on scope of rain-fed integrated farming system in dry farming condition is reviewed and presented below.

Scope of Rain-fed Integrated Farming System in Dry Farming Condition: A Review&nbsp;

Background: Abortion is a major health problem of animals including goats, which results in significant financial losses for the farmers. The aim of the current study was to determine the occurrence of abortion in different breeds of goats reared under semi-intensive farming system at the organized farms in the semi-arid region of India, and to determine the relationship between the parity, season, and pregnancy stage of the aborted goats with the incidence of abortions.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The data on the caprine abortions was collected and analyzed. The caprine abortions that occurred at the organized farms under a semi-intensive management system were categorized according to the season at the time of abortion, parity and pregnancy stage of the aborted goats. The Chi-Square test and ANOVA methods were used for the statistical analysis of the abortion data. 
 
Result: The occurrence of abortion in goats (combined farm) had a significant association with seasons and stages of pregnancy, whereas it was not associated with parities. Barbari, Jakharana&nbsp;and Jamunapari goats individually showed significant differences in abortion rates across various seasons, but did not exhibit significant variation in abortion rates with respect to different stages of pregnancy or parities. In the study, the majority of abortions were found in the winter season, followed by the rainy and summer seasons; similarly, most of the abortions were noticed in the later stage of pregnancy, followed by the mid- and early stages. There was the highest abortion rate in the goats with parity 3 and above, followed by the first and second parities. Further investigation is required to validate the current findings. In conclusion, the study revealed that abortion rates in goats are significantly influenced by seasonal changes and the stages of pregnancy.

Occurrence of Abortion in Different Breeds of Goats Reared under Semi-intensive Farming System at Organized Farms in Semi-arid Region of India

<div>Background: The Indian dairy industry has progress consistently ever since the White revolution of the 1970s, making India, the world&rsquo;s largest and fastest producer of milk with 17 per cent global share. The Indian dairy market is expected to double within the next 10 years, primarily driven by over 16-20 per cent growth in value added dairy segment. To catch this high growth potential and to meet the rising demand, a sustainable and strong dairy production system will be critical.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A study was conducted between December 2018 and February 2019 at four different dairy farms. The farms were identified based on rearing systems practiced. The farms were divided into two groups where the first one (n=10 dairy cattle) utilized automatic rearing systems (the ARS farms), while the second group (n=10) had conventional rearing systems (the CRS farms). 
 
Result: Based on the results, the effect of different rearing systems on the average lactation yield in the fourth lactation was significantly higher (P&le;0.05) in automatic rearing system. The lactation yield of both the treatment groups was not significant till third lactation. There was no significant difference observed in persistency of milk production in both the rearing systems. Reproductive performance of the ARS houses had better age at first calving and service period as compared to conventional house type with significant difference. By using an ARS it is possible to save time and achieve greater flexibility. The experiment indicates less man power minutes required for routine daily work like feeding, watering and milking in automatic rearing system as compare to conventional rearing system. A significant (P&le;0.01) reduction in working time by comparison with a different feeding, watering and management system however can only be expected in the case of sizeable herds. It appears that not much time can be saved with herds numbering 60 animals, but flexibility for the farm manager becomes significantly greater. In view of the relatively high amount invested in ARS, the profitability of such a system must be decided on a farm by farm basis. In principle an ARS can be a good opportunity for optimizing working time and workload in dairy farming.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Comparative Study of Automation and Conventional System on Production Performance in Dairy Farms</div>

Background: The present study was conducted in Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka as a project on integrated farming systems was implemented in this district by University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad during the year 2013-15. It was considered for study in master&rsquo;s research.&nbsp; 
Methods: Under the study three taluks viz., Sirsi, Mundagod and Bhatkala were selected with an overall objective of identifying and analyzing and the economics of integrated farming systems. The relevant data collected from primary sources through personal interview method were analyzed by tabular and production function techniques. Four main integrated farming systems followed by majority of the farmers in the study area are selected for study, viz., Integrated Farming System-I,II,III,IV. 
Result: The study revealed that the total cost under Integrated Farming Systems-III was highest with Rs. 129023, while it was Rs. 115388, Rs.115266 and Rs. 97434 respectively in Integrated Farming Systems-I,II and IV. net farm returns was highest under Integrated Farming Systems-I which&nbsp;was Rs. 86351. In all the different integrated farming systems, the labour and seed cost had significant influence on gross returns. The seed and feed were underutilized, fertilizer, FYM and land were over utilized.

Economic Analysis of Integrated Farming Systems in Uttar Kannada District of Karnataka

<div>Background: Increasing demands of food, depleting land, degrading land resources and changing climate are some of the important factors driving the cropping systems of any agro-ecological zone in the world. Cropping systems have been traditionally structured to maximize crop yields. Now, there is a strong need to design cropping systems which take into consideration the emerging social, economical and ecological or environmental concerns. Legumes can provide opportunities for increased productivity to be sustained because of their adaptability to various cropping patterns and ability to fix nitrogen. Legume-based crop rotation helps to conserve organic matter, maximise soil nitrogen, balance soil nutrients, maintain soil physical properties and break soil-borne disease cycles. Moreover, with increasing fertilizer prices and emphasis of the government for doubling the farmer&rsquo;s income by reducing cost of cultivation, the current trend is to explore the possibility of supplementing chemical fertilizer with the organic ones, more particularly organic manures and bio-fertilizer of microbial origin. The current study is aimed to increase small and marginal farmer&rsquo;s income and to reduce cost of cultivation through legume based vegetable cropping systems and to find out best farming practices. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Field experiments were conducted at Organic Farm Holta, Department of Organic Agriculture and Natural farming, CSK HPKV, Palampur (H.P.) during kharif and rabi seasons of 2018-19 and 2019-20 on silty clay loam soil to study the performance of different farming practices in legume based cropping system under mid- hills of H.P. Himalayas. The experiment was laid out under Split plot design with three replications comprising of three sequences in legume vegetable-based cropping systems i.e., &ldquo;Soybean-Onion&rdquo;, &ldquo;Okra-Pea&rdquo; and &ldquo;Mash-Garlic&rdquo; under different farming practices i.e., Organic farming, Natural farming, Inorganic and Integrated farming practices. For comparison of different crops soybean equivalent yield and pea equivalent yields were calculated in kharif and rabi seasons, respectively. 
 
Result: In kharif seasons okra crop attained highest soybean equivalent yield followed by soybean and mash crop. In rabi seasons garlic crop attained highest pea grain equivalent yield followed by onion and pea crop. During both kharif seasons organic farming practices attained highest yield and was at par with integrated farming practices. Significantly highest yield was attained from integrated farming practices and was at par with organic farming practices in both rabi seasons. Highest net returns, net returns per rupee attained was in inorganic farming system. Highest cost of cultivation was found in organic farming practices.</div>

​Performance of Different Farming Practices in Legume based Cropping System under Mid-hills of H.P. Himalayas

<div>Background: Abortion is a very common health problem of animals including goats and it causes heavy economic losses to the farmers. The current study was planned to assess the occurrence of abortions in goats reared under different farming systems and association of occurrence of abortions with stage of pregnancy, season and parity of the aborted goats. 
 
Methods: The data on caprine abortions from semi-intensive and free range farming systems was compiled and analysed. Occurrence of abortion in the goats reared under field conditions and at organized farms under semi-intensive management system was categorized on the basis of stage of pregnancy, season and parity of aborted goats. The statistical analysis of the abortion data was done by using Chi-Square test. 
 
Result: Abortion rates in goats reared at different management systems (semi-intensive and free range systems) differed significantly (p&lt;0.01). Occurrence of the abortions was found highest in the field goats. Occurrence of the abortions in the different stages of pregnancy (early, mid and late) in the goats reared at organized farms under semi-intensive management system and field conditions differed significantly (p&lt;0.01). Maximum abortions were seen in the later stage of pregnancy. Likewise, occurrence of the abortions in various seasons (rainy, winter and summer) in the goats reared at organized farms under semi-intensive system and field conditions differed significantly (p&lt;0.01). Highest occurrence of abortion was noticed in winter season. Occurrence of abortion was also significantly associated with parity of pregnancy in the goats from the organised farms as well as in the field goats. The study concludes that abortion rate in goats are significantly associated (p&lt;0.01) with management practices, season, parity and stage of pregnancy.&nbsp;</div>

Occurrence of Abortions in Goats Reared under Different Farming Systems

<div style="text-align: justify;">A study was carried out to know the response of organic, integrated and conventional farming systems on the diversity of soil meso and macro arthropod populations in the cotton inter cropped with groundnut and pigeonpea at MARS, UAS, Dharwad during kharif -2015-16. The organic farming system has recorded highest meso and macro arthropod population of 21.35 per 100 g of soil and 42.00 per pitfall trap respectively. Cotton intercropped with groundnut has recorded higher population of meso and macro arthropods (15.50 /100 g of soil and 41.26/ pitfall trap, respectively). The seasonal abundance of soil arthropods was high in October (25.89/100g of soil) and least in December (5.78/ 100g of soil) months. The diversity of soil arthropod populations assessed on the Shannon&rsquo;s index of below ground arthropod populations recorded was highest in organic farming (0.61) and least in conventional farming (0.51) system. Hence, the organic farming system increases abundance and diversity of soil organisms and soil fertility, and it adds large amounts of organic residue inputs, which in turn increases the biological activity in soil.</div>

Response of soil arthropods population to different farming systems under cotton integrated with groundnut and pigeonpea crops

<div>Background: Transmission of antibiotic resistance from animal food chain to human through animal food-borne pathogens have led to increased public concern. Wider surveillance on prevalence of antibiotic resistance in E. coli will provide information on evolution of resistance in various geographical locations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolates from poultry under various farming system in A and N Islands and resistance genes of tet, ctx-M and aac encoding the isolates.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Isolates were obtained from cloacal swabs in poultry under various farming systems and tested against major antimicrobial derivatives to study multi drug resistance. The presence of genes associated with resistance to tetracycline (tet A), ESBL (CTX-M) and Gentamycin (aac(3)-IV) were determined by PCR.&nbsp; 
 
Result: A total of 126 cloacal samples were analysed out of which 31.38% of the E.coli isolates from poultry under various farming systems were producing extended spectrum beta-lactamases and were multiple antimicrobial resistant. Poultry birds of commercial farms showed higher resistance levels (37.5%) than organised farms (24.76%) and desi birds (31.88%). Results indicate a high level of multi-drug resistance is emerging even in desi birds. It is suggested that an antimicrobial resistance surveillance program is needed in A and N Islands in order to detect bacterial resistance among rural poultry production as the 80 percentage of total poultry population belong to desi birds.</div>

<div>Distribution of TET, AAC and CTX-M Genes among Antibiotic Resistant Escherichia coli Isolated From Poultry under Various Farming System of A and N Islands</div>

<div>Background: The growth and popularity of white pekin duck farming is increasing among farmers due to assured return and marketing linkages in peri-urban areas. The growth performance and meat quality of pekin ducks under backyard farming was evaluated in the present study.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Body weight and feed consumption data of 140 white pekin ducks managed under rice bran-based feeding in backyard farming, were recorded weekly up to 8th week of age. Gompertz&rsquo;s growth model was used to calculate growth parameters. Meat quality parameters were recorded after slaughter on 56th day. 
 
Result: White pekin ducks attained 2.003 kg at 56 days of age with 3.2 FCR (Feed conversion ratio). The asymptote weight calculated from Gompertz&rsquo;s equation was 4513.25 g. Inflection points of bodyweight and time was determined as 1659.28 g and 49.9 days respectively. The maximum growth rate was 58.17 g/day. The high growth rate of pekin ducks in backyard condition indicates suitability of rice bran-based diet in this farming system.Dressing percentage (57.9%) of eviscerated carcass was however less than earlier reports. Lipid peroxidation activity of breast-meat was measured and found to be less than previous reports. Reduced lipid peroxidation in muscle might be due to liberal access to natural feeding system by pekin ducks that is unique in backyard farming.</div>

Growth Performance and Meat Quality of White Pekin Ducks Reared in Backyard Farming System

<div>Background: Weather monitoring is an important aspect of crop cultivation for reducing economic loss while increasing productivity. Weather is the combination of current meteorological components, such as temperature, wind direction and speed, amount and kind of precipitation, sunshine hours and so on. The weather defines a time span ranging from a few hours to several days. The periodic or continuous surveillance or the analysis of the status of the atmosphere and the climate, including parameters such as temperature, moisture, wind velocity and barometric pressure, is known as weather monitoring. Because of the increased usage of the internet, weather monitoring has been upgraded to smart weather monitoring. The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the new technology that can help with many precision farming operations. Smart weather monitoring is one of the precision agriculture technologies that use sensors to monitor correct weather. The main objective of the research is to design a smart weather monitoring and real-time alert system to overcome the issue of monitoring weather conditions in agricultural farms in order for farmers to make better decisions.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Different sensors were used in this study to detect temperature and humidity, pressure, rain, light intensity, CO2 level, wind speed and direction in an agricultural farm and real time clock sensor was used to measured real time weather data. The major component of this system was an Arduino Uno microcontroller and the system ran according to a program written in the Arduino Uno software. 
 
Result: This is a low-cost smart weather monitoring system. This system&rsquo;s output unit were a liquid crystal display and a GSM900A module. The weather data was displayed on a liquid crystal display and the GSM900A module was used to send the data to a mobile phone. This smart weather station was used to monitor real-time weather conditions while sending weather information to the farmer&rsquo;s mobile phone, allowing him to make better decisions to increase yield.</div>