Table 3 Summary of benefits of buffer capacity
Buffer capacity indicator | Contribution to social–ecological resilience |
|---|---|
Diversity of crops and breeds | • Improve soil fertility • Yield improvement [58] • Enhances agroecosystem productivity [12, 41] • Enhances ecological resilience • Improves food security [59] |
Percentage of arable land under vegetation | • Vegetation provides habitat for biodiversity and pollinators [60] • Helps to recharge water system • Contributes to yield improvement • Improves livelihood resilience [37] |
Landscape heterogeneity | • Improves crop yield [58] • Improves soil health • improves provision of agroecosystem services [46] |
Number of crops rotated | • Crop rotation supports soil health [44] • Improves productivity • Enhances soil carbon [61] |
Livelihood Capitals (human, social, financial, natural, and physical capitals) | • Aggregation ensures economies of scale • Advocacy by the associations [47] • Multiple credit sources, shareholding, and savings cushions against price fluctuations, supports procurement of inputs and farm maintenance in event of shocks [62] • Human skills and knowledge important for efficient production • Proximity to roads, railway and airports important for procurement of inputs and sell of outputs • Water important for irrigation • Land for expansion of the farms and maintaining biodiversity |