International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Sunitha AB, Krishnamurthy AT and Muttanna

abstract
The present investigation was carried out in Eastern and Southern dry zones of Karnataka state. Four case studies were documented on sustainable farming systems under irrigated and rainfed farming systems having two highest level of sustainability and two lowest level of sustainability. Mr. Chikkaboregowda having higher sustainable scores than average sustainable scores of the respondents of the research study, he is having indicator wise higher sustainable scores in water management, input output relationship, land use pattern, profitability, farm level risk management, information self reliance and quality of life. He is earning net profit of Rs. 4,49,273 annually from his land and in view of well-balanced optimum combination of enterprises the annual income generation from seasonal, annual, perennial crops, livestock and poultry enterprises is very encouraging and motivating to many farmers. Mr. Krishnareddy, M. B. is having indicator wise higher sustainable scores in water management, land use pattern, cropping pattern, profitability, farm level risk management, information self sufficiency and employment generation than average sustainable scores of respondents in rainfed situation and in view of well-balanced optimum combination of enterprises Rs. 8,24,520 of annual income he earns. Mr. P. Jaishankar is having less sustainable score than the average sustainable scores of respondents in irrigated situation. The sustainable indicators such as integrated nutrient management, integrated pest management, water management, profitability, input output relationship, farm level risk management, input self sufficiency and information self reliance are having less sustainable scores. Mr. Narayanaswamy is having less sustainable scores in water management, land use pattern, cropping pattern, farm level risk management, information self reliance, family food security and quality of life than the average sustainable scores of respondents. Mr. P. Jaishankar and Mr. Narayanaswamy is not practicing different components on the farm, not preparing compost, instead they using more chemical fertilizers than on farm inputs. Cost of production is not reduced by using by-products of one component as input of another linked component. Thus, the total income of the Mr. P. Jaishankar and Mr. Narayanaswamy farm is reduced. Farming systems aim for increased productivity, profitability, food and nutritional security, sustainability, recycling of unutilized resource, generation of income round the year, adoption of new technology, solving energy fuel and fodder crisis and increased employment generation.