Integrated Farming Systems: Climate-Resilient Sustainable Food Production System in the Indian Himalayan Region

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) represents about 16.4% of the total area and 3.86% of the total population of India. The region supports extraordinary cultural, ethnic, and biological diversity. Vast variation in rainfall pattern was also noticed in the entire Indian Himalayan region. The Western Himalayan region had comparatively less rainfall than the Eastern Himalayas. Farmers of IHR, usually, adopt traditional agricultural practices and practice mono-cropping, which leads to soil degradation and poor farm productivity. The environmental degradation in the region reached an alarming proportion, necessitating urgent attention for their scientific management for the overall sustainable development of the region. This calls for an extra concentrated focus on the issue from the viewpoint of policy, research, development, and extension. Hence, policy reorientation and human resources development are the key areas that need special attention. Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) approach aims to enhance the farm income, promote the sustainable utilization of natural resource, and livelihood diversification. The IFS approach has multiple objectives of sustainability, food security, nutritional security, and poverty reduction towards the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Location-specific IFS modules have the potential to double the farmer’s income besides providing year-round employment.