The Integrated Family Farm System for Agriculture, Livestock and Energy Production With Multipurpose Crops, Multipurpose Animals, Ponds with Plants and Animals, and a Digester for control of both Human and Animal Diseases

Abstract

The objectives of the project are to increase food production per unit area of land per unit of time by utilizing in the most efficient way: 1) Solar energy- by growing multipurpose crops during the whole year. 2) Atmospheric nitrogen - by the introduction of nitrogen fixing crops and /or algae. 3) Water- the deficiency in precipitation in the dry season will be partly fulfilled by storing rainfall in ponds to be used for watering animals, growing nitrogen-fixing water plants and limited (hand operated) organic irrigation. 4) Unemployed people- by increasing the level of production, introducing labor-intensive crops and adding new activities for the landless people. The establishment and operation of this farm model will provide a focal point around which to develop a comprehensive strategy for the establishment of similar models in other parts of the country; for the integration of research, training, information collection and dissemination; and for holding an annual seminar which will provide a forum for future recommendations and guidelines for the development of integrated farming systems in Bangladesh.