Project Abstract

Abstract
Integrated farming is a sustainable agricultural system that combines different agricultural activities such as crop production, livestock farming, aquaculture, and agroforestry in a synergistic manner. This research project aims to investigate the effect of integrated farming on sustainable agriculture by evaluating its impact on soil health, biodiversity, resource use efficiency, and economic viability. The study will be conducted in a comparative manner, where traditional monoculture farming practices will be compared with integrated farming systems. Soil health parameters such as soil organic matter content, microbial diversity, and nutrient availability will be assessed to determine the impact of integrated farming on soil quality and fertility. Biodiversity indices including species richness and abundance of beneficial organisms such as pollinators and natural enemies of pests will be used to evaluate the ecological sustainability of integrated farming systems. Resource use efficiency will be analyzed by comparing inputs such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides, and outputs such as crop yields and livestock productivity in both farming systems. Economic viability will be assessed by conducting a cost-benefit analysis of integrated farming practices compared to monoculture systems. The study will also consider the social aspects of sustainable agriculture by evaluating the impact of integrated farming on rural livelihoods, food security, and resilience to climate change. The findings of this research project are expected to contribute to the existing knowledge on the benefits of integrated farming for sustainable agriculture. It is hypothesized that integrated farming systems will improve soil health by enhancing soil organic matter content and promoting beneficial microbial communities. The increased biodiversity in integrated farming systems is also expected to contribute to pest control and pollination services, reducing the need for synthetic inputs such as pesticides. Moreover, the resource use efficiency of integrated farming systems is anticipated to be higher due to the synergistic interactions between different components of the farming system. Economic analysis will provide insights into the profitability and financial sustainability of integrated farming practices, which are essential for their widespread adoption by farmers. Overall, this research project will shed light on the potential of integrated farming as a sustainable agricultural system that can enhance soil health, biodiversity, resource use efficiency, and economic viability, ultimately contributing to the promotion of sustainable agriculture practices for food security and environmental conservation.

Project 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.