18
Integrated Farming Systems at Different
Scales
Li Wenhua
Major types of integrated farming systems (IFS) have various structures and tech-
nical features. Integrated farming systems can be implemented at various scales.
According to the sizes and characteristics, IFS can be classified into micro-,
medium- and macro-scales. In this chapter we will present a general review of the
major types of IFS as used in homestead gardens, eco-villages, eco-counties and
forest shelterbelts.
Homestead Garden Ecosystems
Introduction
Homestead gardens, as a form of IFS on a micro-scale level, can be found on every
continent. Apart from China, many other Asian countries, such as Indonesia,
India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, are well known for their homestead gardens (Li
Fadi, 1993; Li et al, 1994). Fernands and Nair (1986) put forward a definition
based on their research on tropical agroforestry: ‘[A] homestead garden is an
artificial diversified method of using trees, bushes, perennial crops and diversified
poultry in the same courtyard in close combination. This compound unit of trees,
crops and animals is usually managed by family members.’
China has a long history in the development of the homestead economy. Pro-
duction from the home has become an important part of the self-sufficient rural
economy and an important source of income for farmers. The farmers plant trees,
crops, vegetables and raise livestock or fish in their yards mainly for their daily
sustenance. In this way, farmers can make full use of natural resources, labour,
techniques, funds and working time for agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry,
fishery and sideline processing. Thus, house construction, agriculture and humans
Reprinted from Chapter 12 – Integrating farming systems at different scales, pp210–252, in Li Wen-
hua, Agro-Ecological Farming Systems in China, Man and the Biosphere Series Volume 26 © 2001
UNESCO/Parthenon Publishing Group.