Integrating Backyard Poultry with Goat and Crop Farming: A Climate-Smart Model for India

As India grapples with the twin challenges of climate change and encompassing rural poverty, there is a growing need for farming systems that are both sustainable and resilient. One promising solution lies in the integration of backyard poultry, goat farming and crop cultivation — a climate-smart, low-input model that maximizes productivity while minimizing risk and environmental impact.

This integrated model leverages natural synergies between animal and crop systems, offering a holistic approach to food security, income diversification and ecological sustainability. It is particularly suited to small and marginal farmers, who constitute over 80% of India’s farming population.

Concept of Integrated Farming Systems (IFS): Integrated Farming System (IFS) is an approach that combines multiple agricultural enterprises (like livestock, crops, poultry, fish, etc.) in a mutually beneficial manner to:

• Optimize resource use

• Reduce dependence on external inputs

• Minimize waste and increase recycling

• Enhance income and food security year-round

The combination of backyard poultry, goats and crops is particularly well-suited for rainfed, semi-arid and tribal areas of India, where resource constraints and climate variability are major concerns.

Why Integrate Poultry, Goats and Crops?

1. Complementary Resource Use

• Poultry and goats require minimal space and feed, thriving on crop residues, kitchen waste and natural foraging.

• Manure from both livestock types enriches the soil, reducing fertilizer costs.

• Poultry helps control pests and insects in crop fields, acting as a biological pest management agent.

2. Continuous Cash Flow

• Poultry (eggs and meat) provides regular short-term income.

• Goats offer medium-term returns through milk, manure and live animal sales.

• Crops provide seasonal bulk income and household food needs.

3. Risk Mitigation

• Diversified income sources buffer farmers against crop failures, disease outbreaks or market shocks.

• Livestock can serve as a living asset that can be sold during emergencies.

4. Climate Resilience

• Indigenous poultry and goats are hardy and require less water and inputs.

• The system promotes carbon sequestration through organic manure use and reduced synthetic input dependence.

• Integrated systems reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events.

Model Structure: How the Integration Works:

Component	Key Activities	Output
Backyard Poultry	Free-range rearing of native/improved birds (e.g., Vanaraja, Kadaknath)	Eggs, meat, manure, pest control
Goat Farming	Rearing of small herds using local breeds (e.g., Black Bengal, Barbari)	3M- Meat, Milk, Manure
Crop Cultivation	Seasonal food crops (e.g., millets, pulses, vegetables) with organic practices	Grains, vegetables, fodder

Manure Management

• Poultry and goat droppings are composted and applied to fields to improve soil health and reduce chemical fertilizer needs.

Feed and Fodder Integration

• Crop residues feed goats and poultry.

• Poultry pecks at weed seeds and insects, reducing weeding efforts.

Government Support & Schemes

• National Livestock Mission (NLM): Supports small ruminant and backyard poultry units.

• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): Encourages integrated farming.

• Mahatma Gandhi NREGS: Can be used for creating livestock shelters and compost pits.

Challenges and Recommendations:

Challenge	Recommendation
Limited technical knowledge	Farmer training in integration and organic practices
Disease risk in poultry/goats	Regular vaccination, biosecurity, and extension services
Initial investment	Credit linkages, SHG-based models, use of government subsidies
Marketing limitations	Establish producer groups, value addition, and local branding

Integrating backyard poultry with goat and crop farming presents a viable, climate-smart solution for rural India. It boosts income, enhances food and nutritional security, and builds resilience against climate shocks — all while maintaining ecological balance. With appropriate training, policy support, and local innovation, this model can be scaled across India’s varied agro-climatic zones to transform smallholder farming into a sustainable livelihood social enterprise.

Sustainable farming in India is exemplified by this integrated model, combining backyard poultry, goat herding, and crop cultivation, promoting climate resilience and agricultural diversity.