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4 min read

One Crop to Three: Chandraiah’s Integrated Farm

Dabbanuthala Village, Dummugudem Block, Telangana
Integrated Farming Systems

“Earlier, we were dependent only on seasonal crops and struggled to earn sufficient income,” says Sonde Chandraiah. Today, poultry and fish farming run alongside his crops, changing that story.

Sonde Chandraiah owns a little over two acres in Dabbanuthala village. For years, seasonal crops were his only source of income, meaning long stretches with no earnings at all. His land and water resources stayed underused most of the year, money was always tight, and even basic needs like his children’s education and healthcare felt like a stretch.

Under the Integrated Farming System model, Chandraiah took up poultry and fish farming alongside his regular crops, with a proper unit built on his land to make better use of the space and water he had. He was trained in managing poultry and fish, taken on an exposure tour to see the model in practice, and given ongoing support and guidance. Farm waste from one activity was recycled into another, cutting his costs while keeping all three streams running together.

His poultry and fish units now bring in steady income alongside his crops, giving him earnings through the year instead of only at harvest. Beyond income, having multiple sources of livelihood means Chandraiah is no longer riding on a single crop’s fortunes. His family now manages food, education, and healthcare more comfortably, saves more, and relies far less on loans than before.

Outcomes at a glance
Land
just over 2 acres, now multi-use
New units
poultry + fish farming, on-farm
Income
now earned year-round, not just at harvest
Costs
lower, via recycled farm waste
Loans
reduced reliance on borrowing
“We learned to manage poultry, fish farming, and crop cultivation together. Now, we are earning regularly.”
– Sonde Chandraiah

Chandraiah plans to expand his poultry and fish units, take up vegetable cultivation, and share what he’s learned with other farmers.

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