Integrated Coastal Farming Systems : Sustainable Livelihood Through Intergated Coastal Farming Systems

Integrated farming system represents an appropriate combination of farm enterprises coupled with the means available to the farmers to raise them for profitability. It is essential to understand the role and nature of different enterprise combinations with systems perspective, in order to plan meticulously on how to integrate them for optimum productivity. The study was conducted in two coastal districts of Tamil Nadu by drawing a proportional sample size of 150 while covering 8 villages and 4 blocks. Data were collected using interview schedule and PRA tools and analysed with suitable statistical techniques. A Sustainable Livelihood Index was developed to ascertain the contribution of variables in different enterprise combinations. The constraints relating to marketing, input, natural calamities, labour, government support, pest & diseases and infrastructure were ranked by the farmers in major production systems. Adequate incentive support to horticulture and fisheries enterprises and production of value added farm products in every village might improve input recycling of most of the farming systems.