Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Integrated farming systems have gained recognition as a promising approach to achieve sustainable agriculture by leveraging the synergies between different agricultural activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of integrated farming on sustainable agriculture through a comprehensive analysis of various aspects including productivity, resource use efficiency, environmental impact, and economic viability. The research was conducted over a period of two years in a mixed farming setting, involving crop production, livestock farming, and agroforestry components. Results indicated that the integrated farming system led to improved productivity compared to conventional farming practices. The synergistic interactions between different components of the system resulted in enhanced nutrient cycling, pest control, and overall farm resilience. Resource use efficiency was found to be higher in the integrated farming system due to reduced reliance on external inputs such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This not only contributed to cost savings for the farmers but also reduced the environmental footprint of agriculture. Environmental impact assessment revealed that integrated farming had positive effects on soil health, water quality, and biodiversity conservation. The agroforestry component, in particular, was found to enhance carbon sequestration and provide habitat for beneficial wildlife species. Economic analysis demonstrated that integrated farming was economically viable, with higher net returns compared to conventional farming practices. The diversification of income sources through multiple agricultural activities helped buffer against market fluctuations and price volatility. Overall, the findings of this study highlight the potential of integrated farming systems to promote sustainable agriculture by improving productivity, resource use efficiency, environmental sustainability, and economic viability. The results underscore the importance of adopting a holistic and integrated approach to farming that considers the interactions between different components of the agroecosystem. Policy implications include the need for promoting integrated farming practices through incentives, technical support, and capacity building programs to facilitate the transition towards more sustainable agricultural systems. Further research is warranted to explore the scalability and adaptability of integrated farming models across different agro-climatic regions and farming contexts.

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.