Maryem, Author at Farming Pedia

Farming pedia provides the essential information about farming and agriculture around the world. The information provided includes case studies and project reports of agriculture farming. And also it provides vast information about how to originate, maintain and develop farming and agriculture. This can help us to create our own farming world. C

Agriculture has been engaged in making essential food crops for decades. Agricultural production beyond farming covers forestry, milk, fruit farming, poultry, beekeeping, mushrooms, arbitrary agriculture, etc.

Currently, crop processing, marketing, distribution and livestock products are all recognized as part of existing agriculture. Agriculture may also be referred to as agricultural product growth, processing, promotion and distribution. In maintaining the lifecycle and development of the economy, agriculture plays a major role.

Agriculture is the foundation of a given country’s economic structure. Agriculture also provides a significant percentage of the population with job opportunities as well as food and raw materials.

So, we need to look at some of the contributions made by the agriculture sector across the globe. Here we can know some of the facts that can be provided and produced by the farming that can give information beyond the importance of the farming.

Importance of farming in our life

Livelihood

Farming is the most populated and essential occupation that has been chosen by the people. Around 1billion people globally derive their livelihood from agriculture in some way or the other. This high percentage of agriculture is the product of the lack of growth of non – farm sectors to absorb the rapidly increasing population.

Besides, many people in developing countries are not engaged in agriculture. To understand the difference between rich and developing nations in agribusiness: In the Republic of Congo, 69% of individuals work in farming; in the United States of America, just 1% work in this segment.

Raw Material

Agriculture acts as an essential resource in the exchange of raw materials for industries development. They seek raw materials like cotton and jute, sugar, tobacco, edible and non-edible oils for their production purpose. Also, for other sectors, other materials like fruit processing, veggies and rice husking are primarily provided by agriculture.

Food and fodder

The farming sector supplies domestic animals with fodder. The cow gives people milk that is protective food. Besides, livestock also fulfills human nutritional needs.

International trade

The agricultural products like tea, rice, spices, tobacco, coffee, etc. are major exporting items of agricultural-related countries. If agriculture develops constantly, imported goods will be reduced while export increases considerably.

This leads to lowering the unfavorable balance of payments in countries and saving foreign exchange. It can be used well to purchase other essential inputs, machinery, raw materials, and other infrastructure that supports the country’s economic development.

Marketable Surplus

Agricultural sector growth contributes to marketable surpluses. Many individuals are interested in manufacturing, mining, and other non-agricultural industries as the nation evolves.

These individuals rely on food produced by the marketable surplus of the nation. With the development of the agricultural sector, demand rises, leading to a rise in marketable surpluses. This can be exported to other countries.

Transportation

The bulk of agricultural products are transported from farms to factories via railways and roads. Internal trade is mainly dependent on agriculture. Also, the government’s revenue relies heavily on the accomplishment of the agricultural sector.

Contribution to the economy

For most developing countries, agriculture is the primary source of national income. However, the agricultural sector’s contribution is a smaller percentage of their federal revenues to developed countries such as the USA.

Foreign exchange

The export trade of the nation mainly depends on the agricultural sector. Farm commodities, for instance, such as silk, tobacco, seasonings, oils, cotton production, coffee, and tea, account for about 18% of the entire value of a country ‘s exports. This shows that agricultural products remain a significant source of income for the foreign exchange of a nation.

Employment

Building irrigation systems, drainage systems, and other such operations in the agriculture sector are necessary because they offer more opportunities for jobs. The agriculture industry provides the workforce with more job opportunities. This, in turn, reduces the high unemployment rate caused by the rapidly growing population in developing countries.

Development

As agriculture employs many people, it helps to develop the economy. As a result, the amount of national income, and the quality of living of people is increased. The rapid pace of development in agriculture provides both progressive prospects and intrinsic confidence for the event. It, therefore, helps to create a healthy environment for a country’s overall economic growth. Economic development, therefore, depends on the rate of agricultural growth.

Food security

A stabilized farming sector ensures food security for a nation. Every country’s main requirement is food security. Food safety prevents food shortages that have historically been regarded as one of the significant problems of developing countries. Most countries depend on their crucial source of income for agricultural products and related industries.

Medicines

Agriculture not only provides food, employment, and leads to development but also does it help to obtain life-saving medicines. For example, the papain enzyme is extracted from the papaya fruit. This papain is used as an organic enzyme.

This is used to substitute indigestion with one of the proteolytic juices. Particularly helpful for the sick and the elderly. This papain is obtained by large-scale cultivation of papaya. Most alkaloids are used as medicine. Opium alkaloids like morphine often relieve extreme pain, cough, and lose balance. These are obtained by growing opium poppy crops in farms.

Protection of bees

Were you aware that 2018 was the 14th straight year for the honey production of North Dakota in which it ranked first? The State has almost 500,000 bee colonies and in 2017 generated 33 million pounds of honey. With so many bees sheltered for growth, beekeepers help protect people’s lives. In Montana, ranchers and farmers even provide 75% of the State’s wildlife with a critical winter habitat.

Agriculture for profit

Agriculture is the biggest fabric material source. This fabric type is cotton. Often used to make jeans, bedding stuff, etc. Jute and other fabrics are also used to make gunny bags.Chemical filament fabrics are used to produce garments.

Agricultural fiber meets broad clothing demand. Therefore, they are safe for use and nature-friendly disposal. Farm animals, including sheep and cattle, are useful. Sheep ‘s hair is wool that produces sweatshirts and winter clothing. While livestock skin is used to produce leather to produce belts, wallets, etc. Silk is another industry where silkworms or insects are raised to collect silk. This silk yields fine and costly fabric.

Woman Empowerment

More than a hundred thousand farms are headed by women, 30% of all the farmlands. Not only is this creating the small business values of America, but it also creates powerful people running such companies.

Improvement of communities

Another promising trend is the increasing growth of farmers ‘ markets. Farmers’ markets allow smallholders to communicate effectively with consumers. The food supply is domestically produced throughout the local community, reducing the need for long-distance travel. The opportunity to buy locally grown food is invaluable as demand rises.

Consumers benefit from healthier food options, and farmers have a new chance to buy their crops. Consumers and their children will hear first-hand about goods from producers and how they are born. Farmers interact and improve their communities.

Conclusion

Therefore, the role of farmers and agriculture in the development of the world cannot be ignored. The contribution of farmers in our daily lives, from food to clothes, cannot be denied. All these points prove the importance of farming in our daily lives.

However, it is another matter that developing countries will have to create many facilities to strengthen the region. Yet farming and gardening is a significant source of life in such countries.

Vegetable Farming

Growing the Microgreen Broccoli

ByMaryem

The broccoli is a dark green plant that appears like a green miniature tree and belongs to the cabbage family. It is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds.

Apart from nutrition values, the broccoli is a cash crop due to its demand in the daily diet. And, broccoli farming is picking the trend nowadays.

Broccoli has the greatest content of essential nutrients, including magnesium, iron, and calcium.

Being a nutritious vegetable, broccoli is growing in consumption. Besides its use in a variety of cuisine, it is quite popular in green salads.

As broccoli is a cold season crop, it is wise to grow broccoli in the winter so that at the time of harvesting the temperature should not be above than 23-degree Celsius.

Also Read: Cabbage Farming: Planting, care, Harvesting- A complete guide

This is interesting that the broccoli thrives best in the climate condition that varies from 7-degree Celsius to 23-degree Celsius. Besides, broccoli is frost-resistant and can tolerate temperatures below the freezing level for at least one week.

Understanding how broccoli grow

It is recommended to sow broccoli seed month before the spring’s last frost. Because now you get enough time to move the seedlings to the field in broccoli farming, after hardening off them for some time so that they can bear the hardest of climate conditions.

On the other hand, it is worth sowing the seeds indoors in the case of the late summer, for the regions that have mild winters. Later you can put them in the greenhouse, once autumn starts and so it can be harvested in the winter.

In both the cases, temperature hitting the freezing level for quite a time or rising beyond the 25-degree celsius can hamper the growth of the head of the broccoli.

While in areas that have cold winters, it is recommended to sow the seed in the summer so the crop can mature in autumn, just before the cold.

Soil Preparation

To make the soil fertile for broccoli farming, it is worth adding well-mixed compost containing the manure. Once, the manure is spread over the soils. Then plow the field for three or four times before starting the main planting.

The crops of Broccoli may be grown in a variety of soils. Besides, the sandy and silt loam soils are ideally used to achieve a higher yield from broccoli crops.

When considering the pH value of soil, it should be between 6 and 7 if soil can have the best moist conditions throughout the crop.

In some cases, aging manure can be applied to soil to replace soil nitrogen in areas of heavy rain or sandy soil.

Selecting Variety of broccoli

While selecting the variety, it is necessary to keep the maturity time of the crop. The green sprouting variety often takes the 70 to 140 days to mature. The proper selection of the broccoli variety directly influences the final yield because one can thrive in a certain environment and others indifferent.

Thus, it is worthy to select the relative variety so that the crop matures after optimum climate conditions.

In the case of broccoli farming, direct seeding is far more valuable as compared to the transplant. While for some areas, due to the climate conditions, transplant is a better choice.

Besides, in both cases, it is recommended to grow the broccoli in two rows on the raised beds with a minimum distance of 4o to 45 cm. While in case planting is done in a single line, space should be around 60 cm.

And, during the transplant, a young plant with some leaves and almost a month old is the right choice to succeed.

On the other hand, it is better to transplant thin plants to a different section of the field.

And, in case of direct seeding, sow the seed half an inch deep and at least three inches apart.

When transplanting, it is worth that you must have a minimum of 11,000 plants per acre.

Broccoli planting spacing

For the spacing make sure that it adheres to the capability of irrigation, the schedule of the plantation as well the particular demand in the market if there is any.

Must Read: Planting and Growing Okra Step by Step

Irrigation of broccoli plants

Broccoli gives a better yield when irrigated regularly, it’s worth keeping the soil enough moist when flowers start to bloom. Though, watering with the furrow or the sprinklers achieves better growth in the broccoli plant.

While if you have a large farm in the case of broccoli farming, it is appropriate to use drip irrigation.

The amount of water for the broccoli largely depends on the soil type, weather conditions as well as the growth or maturity of the crop.

The watering to the plants should be more frequent when the crop is in the last phase and the vegetable’s growth is at its peak.

Fertilization

To get the highest yield of the crop, applying the proper amount of fertilization is utmost necessary. For healthier plant production, most of the crops rely heavily on NPK fertilizer.

Broccoli is a relatively hard feeder and must feed in a thin layer of old manure before the crop.

The land as a resource requires proper maintenance and monitoring. Fertilization will then be produced on the basis of soil analysis tests.

In the case of the drip irrigation system, nitrogen can be applied through the water as it is the most precise way to feed the plant.

How grow broccoli sprouts

Broccoli develops in just more than two months from seed to harvest. It is appropriate to wait for the sowing before the weather conditions become favorable for the plants. Thus they can become stable and efficient, offering protection against intense weather.

While all broccoli plants may endure freezing, extended cold periods can delay development or harm plant production.

The flowering cycle is triggered by low temperatures and warm days. This mechanism can cause plants to have flowers earlier than normal. This can affect the size of broccoli’s heads.

To combat these conditions, cold weather shelter is provided that gives further 4 to 8-degree insulation, protecting and extending the season of freeze harvests for up to four weeks.

Grow broccoli microgreens

Proper care of the crop is as important as another step. The caring of a plant may include, apart from the watering and fertilization, eliminating the unnecessary weed, identification of the insects or the adequate analysis of the crop diseases.

The main problems of broccoli development may be insect pests, in particular for summer seedlings.

Right monitoring of each plant can prevent unnecessary loss to the crop and eventually can hamper the overall yield at the end.

To take care of your plants, make sure you take appropriate action as soon as you get any hint of any problem to the plant.

These are some of the highlighted problems in broccoli farming:

Eliminating weed

The weed battles for food, sunshine, and air with the majority of the crops. And, consequently, reduce the growth of a particular plant. So, it is appropriate to keep the crop weed-free as it starts to appear after a month of transplantation.

Controlling the insects

Several insects harm the broccoli plant throughout its life. Flea beetles, wireworms or the cutworms can make the seedling die at the early stage.

Besides, cabbage aphids can attack the heads while they are in the development phase. In this case, it is necessary to control these insects even before the head starts to develop. A quality insecticide can be sprayed to the plants to prevent these harmful insects. Or, you can handpick them to get higher yields.

The soil-borne pests have less impact over the broccoli plant, yet some soil pathogens can cause clubroot disease. These diseases can be controlled by crop rotation or applying the line to the roots in the case of broccoli farming.

Apart from these, downy mildew affects the broccoli plants quite a lot. It can be identified with the spots in the leaves. This fungal infection does not have a great impact on vegetables until it affects the head.

To counter such infection, some growers prefer to use a fungicide. In some cases, a seedling is treated by chemical treatment especially in moist conditions, which favors the disease.

The broccoli head is also susceptible to the various diseases that need to be taken care of. The head diseases severely affect the flower buds and can also because of the head rot.

Such disease spreads in wet conditions and causes significant damage to the overall yield. To prevent such conditions, it is appropriate to use correct pesticides once you get any symptoms.

Harvesting broccoli

Seed based plants can produce broccoli in 100 to 150 days. This is the best broccoli plant harvest time. Broccoli can be developed in 55–80 days from the transplants method. It is worth leaving the foundation and some exterior leaves of the broccoli plant to facilitate fresh heads in the secondary production.

A crop must be hand-picked two to three-times during a season and in case of storage, a broccoli stem should be cut at the 6 inches.

Moreover, it is recommended to harvest the broccoli in the morning to maintain the freshness of the vegetable intact.

References:

1. https://harvesttotable.com/how_to_grow_broccoli/

2. https://me dium.com/@shinebrandseeds/everything-you-need-to-know-about-broccoli-farming-in-a-poly-house-e34aa6a21561

3. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/a20706315/growing-broccoli/

Aquaculture

Biofloc Fish Farming – A Complete Guide

ByMaryem

Biofloc technology (BFT) is a new organism that is particularly productive in aquaculture and is a potentially innovative way to fish farming. This fish farming method is cost-effective in which hazardous or toxic materials for fish and shellfish are transformed into useful products, i.e., protein feed.

The toxic substances that are converted to produce protein feed are nitrate and ammonia. Biofloc fish farming is the cultivation of Biofloc and it is most productive in the tanks exposed to the sun now, you know, “what is biofloc fish farming?”.

Some must-know benefits of biofloc farming

Among all the benefits of this latest aquafarming method, below are the few to be primarily considered.

• Not only this farming technique is safe; it is also environment-friendly.

• Biofloc technology regulates water quality and harmful pathogens

• Value-added production of microbial protein feed is possible for aquatic farm structure.

• Bioflocfish farming in USA is one of the best techniques to enhance environmental control overproduction.

• This technology ensures zero water exchange.

• The list of benefits also includessurvival rate, the performance of growth, etc.

• It is a cost-effective and efficient technique for aquaculture.

• Plus, the pressure on captured fisheries is also significantly reduced.

Since high-density fish rearing typically requires a particular system for waste management. Primarily, Biofloc is a system that treats waste. Biofloc fish farming material was designed to stop incoming water disease from entering a farm.

In order to do cost-effective production, the use of more intensive types of aquaculture is always beneficial. Especially in the water-scarce areas or where land is costly.

Must Read: Tilapia Fish Farming Information And A Complete A to Z Guide

The flip side of Biofloc technique

• First up, it needs more energy as far as mixing and aeration are concerned.

• Due to the elevation of water respiration rates, the response time is reduced remarkably.

• It also required Alkalinity supplementation

• In the case of sunlight-exposed systems, it gives seasonal as well as inconsistent performance.

• The pollution potential is more if nitrate accumulates in the large amount.

What Is The Need For Biofloc Fish Farming?

The biofloc fish farming materials system was developed to improve environmental control over the development of aquatic animals. The most influential factors in aquaculture are feed costs, and the most limiting factor is water/land supply.

High stocking rates and aquatic animal rearing need wastewater treatment. The biofloc method is a wastewater solution that has acquired significance in aquaculture.

The Theory BehindBiofloc Fish Farming

This technique is based on the assumption that nitrogen cycles are created by maintaining a higher C/N ratio through stimulation and assimilation of nitrogen waste as food for the cultivated species. Not only does biofloc fish farming tank preparation technology treats waste effectively, but it also gives aquatic animals the nutrition that it needs.

Let us tell you that higher C: N is sustained by the introduction of carbohydrate source, also known as molasses, in addition to the improvement of water quality with the high degree microbial protein obtained from single cells.

How Is Biofloc Technology Implemented?

Because of its low dwelling habit and resistance to environmental changes, biofloc technology is widely used in shrimp farming. Studies were conducted to assess shrimp and Nile tilapia larval growth and reproductive efficiency.

In the biofloc system, increased breeding efficiency was observed in shrimps compared to standard crop practices. The improvement in larval growth was also witnessed.

Know The Nutritional Value Of Biofloc Fish Farming

Biofloc is a diverse mixture of suspended particles and a range of extracellular polymer-related microorganisms. Biofloc is made up of bacteria, plants, fungi, invertebrates, and detritus, respectively.

The food that is prepared through the conversion of available feed and excreta into natural food becomes richer in protein when exposed to sunlight—floc is kept together in a mucous matrix which is bacteria-isolated and is attached by filamentous microorganisms. The naked eye can see big flocs, but most are microscopic.

The floc is 50-200 microns in thickness. Biofloc possesses excellent nutritional value. It consists of dry weight protein somewhere between 25 to 50 %, whereas fat is between 0.5-15%. This makes the biofloc a good medium of vitamins and minerals not to mention phosphorus.

Set Up Your Biofloc Fish Farming

The first thing you need to start a biofloc fish farming venture is, of course, some basic knowledge of the same. As the more experienced you are, the higher are the chances of your success. Before you go to buy biofloc fish farming material, first, arrange some space in the backyard to dig a fish pond.

It can be a space in your basement or anywhere—to gather fish in containers. Fish can be grown in tanks and tubs along with the barrels. Once you are done choosing the tub or container, you have to avail of water from a reliable source now. Your local water supply may be a good option. Now get your juvenile fish to the pond or container, and you are good to go.

The above steps are for backyard or indoor fish farming. If you are looking to set up an outdoor fish farm, it is better to take a quick look at the below-listed equipment.

• Fish tanks

• Pumps

• Devices for aeration

• Seine reels or net

• Equipment to test the water

Let’s make biofloc fish farming tank preparation a bit more straightforward.

1. Preparing the water for biofloc farming

Biofloc’s water preparation is most important to start fishing using this method. Anyone who begins a biofloc process or culture must first set up a tank.

Those who are a novice to biofloc, it’s a better idea, to begin with,cement ponds or enclosed tanks where the soil doesn’t influence water conditions or biofloc systems.

Indoor processes have a significant advantage in most tropical countries. Owing to the fact that heavy rainfall affects alkalinity and pH in outdoor structures indoor tank set-up always looks a good idea.

2. Aeration

Once you are done selecting the right pond or tank set-up, it’s time to focus on a set-up for aeration. To maintain high oxygen levels and prevent solids from lodging, all systems need constant movements.

Areas without activity can eventually lose oxygen, becoming anaerobic areas that emit large amounts of ammonia and methane. Each reservoir, tank, or raceway system needs a well-planned aerator configuration to avoid this. Wetlands use paddlewheel aerators.

3.Pre-Seeding Microbes

Pre-seeding is often beneficial if you want the biofloc to improve the growth of bioflocorder and maintain your pond quicker, pre-seeding the farm water is always advisable. Itcan be done by adding several commercial or homemade ingredients to cultural water.

4.Select The Species And Check The Stock Density

Most species will profit from enhanced water quality of biofloc systems while feeding and digesting the biofloc themselves, you want to choose species that better benefit from extra proteins produced. These species are all or partially filter feeders.

That is tilapia and shrimp, these two are perfect candidates for engulfing biofloc, which significantly improves the feeding performance.

Growing Biofloc Farming Trend

A wide range of aquaculture programs and new aquaculture initiatives are being practiced worldwide. Alongside this,it is true about fish farming in USA as well where many companies are operating in aquaculture with particular emphasis on biofloc farming.

With growing fishing technology, aquaculture in the USA is also evolving; hence fish farming is becoming a profitable business. This was not the same earlier when fish were caught only by trial and error method.

A company planning to expand its aquaculture share in the market may get strong economic encouragement for them to be more motivated for producing inputs, notably the most costly (feed) and the most restrictive (water or land).