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Sunday 19 June 2016

Useful Information On Sustainable Agriculture Omaha

By Henry Thomas


For farmers to continually produce food enough to feed the ever growing human population, they must devise ways that preserve the fertility of farmlands. In order attain sustainable agriculture Omaha farmers must be committed to best practices that protect the environment. This will enable them continually grow crops on the same fields without affecting farm yields.

Planning in advance is very critical in making sure that you succeed in your venture. You will need to decide which crops to cultivate, where to get the right seeds and how to prepare your farm appropriately. Also, you will require adequate skilled labor and agronomic support from qualified professionals. All these costs need to be properly estimated for your venture to be profitable. Work out a good business plan which incorporates an excellent marketing strategy.

It is wise to protect your farm as a farmer and make sure that it retains its fertility. Besides the application of fertilizers, you can adopt crop rotation. This helps you to replenish nutrients utilized by one type of crop. For example, legumes are known to fix Nitrogen to the soil whereas cereals utilize the same nutrients. Growing these crops on the same parcel of land in alternate seasons will ensure that the soil retains its fertility.

Another method that exploits symbiosis relationships among crops is intercropping. This works well, especially for cereals and legumes. As one type of crop utilizes the Nitrogen in the soil, the other type continually releases the same nutrients to the earth.At the end of the season, the land will still be fertile to farm. You also use fertilizer, if you have to, and thus reducing your direct costs.

Runoff water, when not controlled, often spells doom to soil fertility. With heavy rainfall, the top soil rich in humus is easily washed away leaving behind barren earth. To avoid this, you must have a way to control runoff water. You can dig terraces to check the flow of water. Also, plant trees around your farm to make sure that the soil is compactly held together. At given intervals, plant cover crops that will hold surface water and avoid soil erosion.

For a farmer to continually produce crops on their farm, they need a reliable source of capital. Whereas initial capital can be sourced from other sources, continual investments must come from the proceeds of selling farm produce. This way the farm will be able to run itself hence guarantee its future. As a farmer, you must think of processing your produce to final products that can be sold to customers. This will help you increase you profit margin.

It is wise to adopt pest control methods that conserve the environment. If you are facing problems caused by a specific organism, it is prudent to eliminate that specific pest and preserve other insects in the ecosystem that will benefit the farm in other ways, for instance, pollination. With the help of experts, you can introduce organisms like ladybirds that will feed on the pests.

Research widely and collaborate with agricultural institutions near you. Find out what crops are best to grow on your farm to maximize your yield. You will also get advice on managing crop diseases.




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