Farming System Sun

Concept of a Farm

Activity 2: Using the previous grouping: discuss the question and make a creative representation

What is a farm? Who is the farmer?

Farm  Organized decision making unit in which crop

and livestock production is carried out with the purpose of satisfying farmer’s goal/s  Highly organized integrated set of operation

which exists in a complex of natural, social, political and economic environment

Attributes of Farming System 1.

It is location or condition specific

3.

It is farmer-based or farmer-driven

5.

It is participatory

7.

It is process-oriented

9.

It is integrative or holistic

Farming systems is location specific Moisture regime – Rainfed – Irrigated

Topography – Flat lands – Hilly lands – Highland

Farming system is farmerdriven  Farmer is the main actor and decision maker in

the farm  His goals, aspirations, skills, capabilities and his

ways of making decisions in a given situation is crucial that influences farm activities  Farmer is the central feature of the farm

Farming system is participatory Farming is dynamic and constantly

evolving

Needs direct participation of farmers or

farmer groups

There is interaction with others like

researchers. (should have partnership)

Farming system is process-oriented Activities or planned changes or

modifications should be done in due process Step-wise implementation of changes to

allow learning in the process

Farming system is integrative Relates how the output of one component

can be the input of the other component

Typology of Farming Systems 1. Based on enterprise mix 2. Dominant crops/enterprise 3. Based on agro-environment 4. Based on use of inputs 5. Based on “central” feature of the farm 6. “Evolving types” of farming system 7. Specialized farming system

Based on enterprise mix/es Monocropping – planting of one type of

crop at a given time Diversified – there is diversity in crop and

animal species grown at any time in the farm

Multiple cropping in Pooc 2, Silang, Cavite.

Based on dominant crops Rice-based farming system – rice as the

dominant crops – Other crops or animals can still be grown/raised

Rice – duck system

Rice and azolla

Pineapple-based farming system –

pineapple is the main source of income

Pineapple + papaya in Pooc 2, Silang, Cavite

 Coconut-based farming system – coconut as the over

storey canopy (coconut + pineapple + citrus)

Coconut + cassava cropping system in Sitio Dulangan 3, Baco, Mindoro Occidental

Fruit trees-based farming system where a

particular fruit tree species (mango, cashew, etc) is the dominant species

Based on agro-environment Based on water source Based on elevation – (highland, hilly land, lowland)

Based on topography – Flatland (lowland), hillyland/undulating/steep lands

Intercropping of brocolli and lettuce, carrot in a different plot (organic farm in Indonesia)

Intercropping in an organic farm in Indonesia

Based on the use of inputs High-external input farming system –

associated with modern/conventional scientific agriculture – Characterized with the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, HYVs, farm mechanization

Low-external input farming system –

farming chemical free (purist perspective) – Emphasizes recycling within the farm and utilization of available farm resources – Nature farming, organic farming, biodynamic – Minimal application of external resources

Organic farm in Indonesia

Based on central or unique feature Airstrip is the central feature but with farm Crop centered Livestock centered

Evolving types Farm resort Agro-tourism oriented farming system Recreational or “hobby” farming system