Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Integrated farming is a holistic approach that combines different agricultural activities such as crop cultivation, animal husbandry, and aquaculture to optimize resource utilization and enhance sustainability. This research project aimed to investigate the effect of integrated farming on sustainable agriculture by analyzing key indicators such as soil health, crop productivity, livestock welfare, and environmental impact. The study was conducted over a one-year period on a demonstration farm where integrated farming practices were implemented. Soil health assessments revealed significant improvements in soil fertility, organic matter content, and microbial diversity due to the integration of livestock manure and crop residues. These enhancements contributed to better soil structure, water retention, and nutrient cycling, which are essential for sustainable agriculture. Crop productivity assessments demonstrated that integrated farming systems resulted in higher yields and better crop quality compared to conventional monoculture practices. The diverse cropping systems and crop rotations in integrated farming helped in pest control, reduced the reliance on synthetic inputs, and promoted biodiversity on the farm. These factors not only improved productivity but also reduced the environmental footprint of agriculture. Livestock welfare was another crucial aspect evaluated in this study. The integration of livestock within the farming system provided benefits such as nutrient recycling, pest control, and additional income streams for farmers. Proper management practices ensured animal health and well-being, while also reducing the environmental impact of livestock farming through efficient waste management and resource utilization. Environmental impact assessments highlighted the positive outcomes of integrated farming on sustainability. The reduction in chemical inputs, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil erosion, as well as the promotion of biodiversity, were key environmental benefits observed in integrated farming systems. By minimizing negative environmental impacts and maximizing resource efficiency, integrated farming practices contribute to the long-term sustainability of agriculture. In conclusion, the findings of this research project support the notion that integrated farming has a positive effect on sustainable agriculture. By enhancing soil health, improving crop productivity, ensuring livestock welfare, and reducing environmental impact, integrated farming systems offer a holistic and efficient approach to agricultural production. Adopting integrated farming practices can help address the challenges of modern agriculture and promote sustainable food production for the future.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Integrated farming system is simply the combination of the best and modern farming tools and technologies with some elements of traditional practices, depending on a given site and situation. This system enables farmers to identify opportunities or threats and allows them to respond accordingly, particularly with the consumers interest at heart.

Multiple objectives are involved in integrated farming such as sustainability, food security, poverty alleviation etc., which also involves the use of output of one enterprise whenever feasible.

Integrated farming system is a biologically integrated systems, which integrates natural resources in a regulation mechanism into farming activities to achieve maximum replacement of off-farm inputs, secures sustainable production of high quality food and other products through ecologically preferred technologies, sustain farm income, eliminates or reduces sources of present environmental pollutions generated by agriculture and sustains the multiple function of agriculture Iobc, (1993)

Edwards, (2007) defined the integrated farming system as an aquaculture system that is integrated with livestock’s and in which fresh animal waste is used to feed fish and also reported that there are synergies and complementary between enterprises that comprise a crop and animal component that form the basis of the concept of integrated farming system. According to this concept, integration usually occurs when outputs of one enterprise are used as inputs by another within the context of the farming system. FAO, (2012) stated that “there is no waste”, and “waste is only a misplaced resource which can become a valuable material for another product” integrated farming system.

In Nigeria, the farmers maintain different enterprises for their complementary and supplementary nature and for ensuring sustainable livelihood from time immemorial. After the advent of green revolution in the late 1970s and economic liberalization in early 1990s, the farmers gradually started focusing on a few enterprises due to several imposing factors including shrinking farm sizes, fluctuating commodity price, livelihood diversification and shortage of labour during peak agricultural season. It had a severe impact on food and nutritional security of millions of poor farm households. The anguish of farmers is often expressed in terms of their agitation in one or the other parts of the country, unwillingness to continue farming and increasing demands of compensating their economic loss. Although suggestions are pouring in from experts and leaders of organization for strengthening the income base farmers, the government cannot implement them entirely due to compulsions from socio-economic and political considerations. However, the government of Nigeria has made an announcement about Doubling Farmers’ Income by 2022.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Many factors appear to constrain close integration of traditional poultry and fish culture. The poor quality supplementary feeds usually given and the fact that confinement is restricted to overnight, result in less and poorer quality manure being available for use in fish culture. Moreover, farm households may already be using the poultry waste which is collectable for other purposes such as fertilizing backyard crops. Recent analysis of current poultry production in small-scale farming households reveals a marginal but important niche.

In view of the foregoing, the following questions arise:

i How do we design integrated farming system for sustainable agriculture?

ii What are the effects of poultry farming on fish farming in an integrated farming system?

iii What are the effects of fish farming system on crop farming system in an integrated farming system?

iv What are the effect of poultry, fish, and farming system on integrated farming system for sustainable agriculture?

1.3 Objectives

The broad objective of the study is to: access the effect of integrated farming system on sustainable agriculture.

The specific objectives are to be able to:

i.                 design integrated farming system for sustainable agriculture.

ii.               assess the effect of poultry farming on fish farming in an integrated farming system

iii.             assess the effect of fish farming system on crop farming system in an integrated farming system.

iv.             assess the effect of poultry, fish, and farming system on integrated farming system for sustainable agriculture.

1.4 Justification to the Study

This study will give an insight in identifying the socio-personal and socio-economic characteristics of integrated farming system farmers in relation to sustainable livelihood.

The study will help explore the various constraints experienced by the integrated farmers which are responsible for low productivity of farming systems.

The study will guide researchers in deriving insight in investigating and understanding the impacts of integrated farming system within and beyond the study area.