A critical review of integrated farming systems: comparative models, divergent outcomes, and emerging research gaps

The global agricultural paradigm is currently navigating a precarious intersection between escalating demographic pressures, accelerating climate volatility, and the widespread degradation of natural resources. As the limitations of single-enterprise conventional farming become increasingly apparent characterized by diminishing factor productivity, degraded soil health, and heightened vulnerability to market shocks the transition toward Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) has emerged as a critical imperative. This review critically analyzes the published literature to evaluate the structural integrity and operational viability of various IFS models across diverse agro-ecological zones. By comparing methodological frameworks like Bio-Economic Farm Models (BEFM), contrasting regional outcomes across 28 Indian states, and identifying fundamental trade-offs within the literature, this paper seeks to unearth the underlying mechanisms governing IFS success. Furthermore, it examines the essential role of systemic agricultural extension, evaluating ground-level capacities in regions like the NTR district of Andhra Pradesh, to identify bottlenecks that hinder widespread adoption and to outline essential future research trajectories.