This paper discusses the value of a fused holistic and value chain framework in decision making for farming systems. The irrigated rice-wheat system of the Indo-Gangetic Plain is used to illustrate the Holistic Management and Value Chain (HM-VC) framework approach to decision making. This method tests decisions that affect the whole (including the things that must be created and/or produced to achieve the whole) system to ensure their viability. The HM-VC framework will result in more effective decision-making methods that will lead to livelihoods improvement and poverty reduction.