Question 1: Insights from Emma Naluyima’s Presentation
First insight is that a person does not require a large piece of land to begin meaningful farming. Although individuals with huge land parcels get greater output, if the land is properly maintained, Naluyima attains satisfactory yields from an acre of land. She even mentioned an individual from Kenya that makes significant earnings from a quarter acre of land. Secondly, integrated farming helps to save production cost. By using pigs’ dung to trap flies and produce maggots and using waste from biogas plant in the farm, Naluyima saves up to 80% of the amount she would have to invest when using commercial feeds. Thirdly, knowledge of feeding behaviour of animals, insects, soil micro-organism and plants is critical in integrated farming. Naluyima understands that pigs’ dung attracts flies, who lay eggs while feeding on the dung and the eggs hatch into maggots which are food for the chicken. Again, is aware that earthworms can feed on the waste that is left behind after removal of maggots. She, therefore, rears adequate earthworms to feed fish in her ponds.
Also, she does aquaponics where water from the ponds go through plants for filtering (removal of ammonia and nitrates) so that the water that returns to tilapia ponds is fresh. Fourth, the presentation shows that animal wastes such as dung and urine are very valuable. The integrated farming illustration clearly defines how by-products of a system become the inputs of another. For instance, waste from biogas plant and urine (from pigs sty and cow shed) also add nutrients to the plantain farm. Fifth, integrated farming conserves the environment. The use of earthworms’ excretes as pesticide and fertilizer, helps Naluyima to avoid chemical-based or commercial fertilizers and pesticides which pollute the environment. Also, use of urine on plants enables conservation of water.
Question 2: Five Effects of Integrated Farming in addressing a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
The SDG of choice is Goal 2 that strives to achieve Zero Hunger. The primary reason why people engage in farming is to get adequate food and proper nutrition. This is also one of the reasons why farmers would opt for integrated farming. From the presentation, pursuit of this objective has had many consequences. One, integrated farming results in increased production. With this system of farming, both crops and animals get adequate natural nutrients which lead to greater crops yield and healthy animals (pigs, chicken and fish). Two, it improves income. Apart from the high prices that Naluyima charge for her crops and animal products, for example, the significant reduction in her production cost also leads to higher earnings.
Three, integrated farming leads to food security. The food Naluyima produces provides sustainable nutrition for her family and she also sells to other people. This contributes to overall decline in levels of hunger. Four, it creates employment. Farming is an occupation with reasonable reward for those who invest into it wisely. Naluyima earns her income from farming and the school where she trains children in farming skills equips the younger generations with the skills that may later help them create employment opportunities for themselves and others. Five, integrated farming contributes to poverty alleviation. By servings as an occupation, the farming system generates income that enable the involved persons to afford better living conditions. The food security that results from it also contributes to decline in numbers of people that lack basic needs.
