Contest| "Living in the Agricultural World #5"

Welcome to my blog, lovely Steemit friends.

What are the benefits of animal waste in farming?

Source

Animal waste is so important in farming and is also known as manure, which contains many useful components and essential nutrients for plant growth and improves the overall health of the farm.

Its benefits to the farm are numerous
Animal waste contains organic matter that improves soil structure by increasing its water-holding capacity. Sandy soil and clay soil benefit more from it because of their poor soil structure.

Animal waste is a very cheap way to improve soil structure because they can be obtained for free or at a low price from a livestock farm. However, it allows for the recycling of nutrients that would have been lost, so it's a sustainable option.

Animal waste attracts beneficial worms and insects to the farm which helps control pests and improves the soil because beneficial microbes found in animal waste can help to suppress pathogens that cause plant diseases.

Another benefit of animal waste is that it helps save our environment from the excessive use of fertilizer

Ways to improve food security in agriculture

Food is important and different from other commodities that man needs to survive. That means the government should not allow people to go hungry, There should be reliable access to sufficient and nutritious food by improving food security in agriculture in the following ways:

Farm incentives such as grants and loans. Providing credit facilities will help farmers employ more hands or buy sophisticated machines for large output. It will also enable them to secure lands and seeds they need for productive farm work.

Security there should be improved security in remote areas and farmland. Security agents should be stationed around farm settlements. This can also be achieved by involving the youth of the communities as security agents in these areas since they are conversant with the area.

Provision of basic infrastructure: good accessible roads should be constructed by the government to make the transportation of farm products to the market and end users fast to avoid wastage, so that farmers do not have to make up for losses and Make the prices of farm commodities unaffordable.

Pay attention to diversification; this is important to guarantee food security. Farmers should not focus on producing one particular crop but also on another crop because in a case where a particular crop fails without another alternative, it becomes a big problem for the farmer.

What are the benefits of agroforestry?

Source

Agroforestry, a practice of incorporating planting of trees, crops and livestock farming have many benefits which include the;

Protection from extreme weather; soils, animals and houses are protected from extreme weather when agroforestry is practised.

Wildlife habitat: agroforestry creates a living environment for wild animals, giving them a secure environment. However, it also provides habitats for a multitude of species, including birds, microorganisms and insects, from its incorporation of various layers of vegetation from trees to groundcovers.

Air quality: trees play a vital role in absorbing gaseous pollutants through their leaves, blocking harmful matters on their surfaces. This natural process reduces air pollution, respiratory diseases and a healthy environment

Soil fertility; it adds nutrients to the soil, improving soil fertility and structure. Nitrogen-fixing plants like leguminous trees and cover crops enriches the soil with nitrogen which improves soil fertility.

Reduces erosion; in agroforestry, trees and shrubs act as windbreakers preventing soil erosion and allowing plants the access to right amount of water and nutrients for a healthy yield

It provides diverse income for farmers from the sales of multiple products ranging from livestock, Timber, fruits, nuts, vegetables etc.

What are the common problems of seedlings during early growth

Seedlings during the early stage of growth, can be challenging due to some factors that affect them which include:

Lack of water: seeds need water to grow. They fail to germinate or grow if enough water is not supplied. However, over-watering is bad for seedlings as it can lead to fungal diseases or rot. It is important to maintain a balance of moisture.

Poor soil texture: this is one of the primary challenges faced during the early stage of seedling. Poor soil hinders growth. Seeds need a healthy soil texture to grow. Ensure the soil is rich in organic soil matter.

Source

Improper plant depth: planting seeds too shallow would expose them to being washed away, and planting them too deep will make them struggle to emerge to the earth's surface. So planting seeds at the right depth is important for proper germination.

Lack of sunlight: insufficient sunlight can result in weak and elongated growth, exposing them to pests and diseases. It is important to give seeds sunlight to grow strong as sunlight is essential for photosynthesis.

This is my entry. I am inviting @eveetim, @rossnenye and @ubikool

Cc:@ninapenda