Economy
How Keeping A Small Farm Can Prove To Be A Sustainable Business
In the world today, it is more important than ever to find sustainable ways of living. One way to achieve this is by keeping a small farm. Small farms can provide a variety of sustainable products and services while also preserving the environment. We will explore some of the benefits of keeping a small farm and how it can be a viable business model. So, let’s get started!
Setting Up A Small Farm
Before we dive into the benefits of keeping a small farm, it is important to understand what exactly a small farm is. A small farm is defined as an agricultural enterprise that employs fewer than ten workers (excluding family members). Small farms can be operated as sole proprietorships, partnerships, or corporations. The majority of small farms are family-owned and -operated. On a small farm, you can keep anything from chickens to cows, and some vegetables. Supplies you’ll need on such a farm include chicken feed, coops, fencing, and other basic equipment. Additionally, you will need to obtain the proper permits and licenses before setting up your small farm.
1. Local Production Of Food
One of the main benefits of keeping a small farm is that it allows for the local production of food. As the world population continues to grow, the demand for food will only increase. Small farms can meet this demand by producing food locally. This is important because it cuts down on transportation costs and helps to reduce the carbon footprint of the food that is consumed. Additionally, locally-grown food is typically fresher and tastier than food that has been transported long distances.
2. Preservation Of The Environment
Another benefit of keeping a small farm is that it helps to preserve the environment. Small farms tend to use fewer pesticides and chemical fertilizers than large commercial farms. They also require less land, which means that there is less deforestation. Small farms also tend to have a more diversified crop rotation, which helps to improve soil health. All of these factors help to create a more sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural system.
3. Improved Mental And Physical Health
Keeping a small farm can also have a positive impact on your mental and physical health. Studies have shown that working in nature can reduce stress levels and improve overall well-being. Additionally, working on a small farm can provide you with a moderate amount of exercise, which is beneficial for your physical health. Studies have also shown that people who work on farms have a lower risk of developing dementia.
4. Economic Stimulation
Small farms can also have a positive impact on the economy. When you buy products from a small farm, you are supporting local businesses and farmers. This helps to stimulate the local economy and keep money within the community. Additionally, small farms typically use less energy than large commercial farms. This means that there is less of a demand for fossil fuels, which helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
5. Community Engagement
Finally, keeping a small farm can help to engage the community. Small farms provide an opportunity for people to learn about where their food comes from and how it is produced. They also offer a space for people to come together and connect with nature. On a small farm, you are more likely to develop relationships with your neighbours and other members of the community. Additionally, small farms can be used as a venue for events such as farm-to-table dinners, weddings, and other gatherings.
How To Keep Your Farm Sustainable
Most small farms start as sustainable but soon become unsustainable when they expand and try to produce more. The key to keeping your small farm sustainable is to focus on quality, not quantity. Here are some tips for how to do this:
1. Use Natural Farming Methods
One of the best ways to keep your small farm sustainable is to use natural farming methods. This means avoiding the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and other harmful chemicals. Instead, focus on using organic methods to grow your crops and raise your animals. This will help to preserve the environment and improve the quality of your products.
2. Diversify Your Crop Rotation
Another way to keep your small farm sustainable is to diversify your crop rotation. This means growing a variety of different crops to improve soil health. When you diversify your crop rotation, you will also reduce the risk of crop failure. This will help to ensure that you always have a reliable source of income.
3. Keep Your Animals Healthy
Another important aspect of keeping your small farm sustainable is to keep your animals healthy. This means providing them with a clean and safe environment. It also means feeding them a healthy diet and ensuring that they get enough exercise. By keeping your animals healthy, you will be able to produce high-quality products that are in demand.
4. Invest In Renewable Energy
Finally, one of the best ways to keep your small farm sustainable is to invest in renewable energy. This includes solar panels, wind turbines, and other green energy technologies. By investing in renewable energy, you will be able to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels. This will help to protect the environment and save money in the long run.
Financing Your Farm
Starting a small farm can be a costly endeavour. However, there are several ways to finance your farm. One option is to take out a loan from the government or a private lender. Another option is to seek out grants and other forms of financial assistance. Additionally, you can also crowdfund your farm or sell products to raise money. Also, be sure to look into tax breaks and other incentives that may be available to farmers.
Small farms offer several benefits, both for the environment and for the people who work on them. They are typically more sustainable than large commercial farms and can provide several economic, social, and health benefits. If you are thinking about starting a small farm, be sure to keep these tips in mind to make sure that it is sustainable. And also check out this guide on how to start a successful small farm.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Command in Rivers State says it has achieved a record-breaking revenue collection of N53.98 billion between January and November 2024, exceeding its annual target by 2.3 per cent and nearly doubling the N26.80 billion generated in 2023.
This was disclosed by the Customs Area Controller, Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, Onne, Comptroller Seriki Usman, during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters, where he attributed the success to strategic collaboration with stakeholders, operational efficiency, and a focus on regulatory compliance.
He said, “A notable achievement of the command was its record-breaking revenue collection of N53.98 billion. This figure represents a 2.3 per cent increase over our annual target for 2024 and a remarkable 98.6% rise compared to the N26.80 billion collected in 2023.
“Our record-breaking revenue underscores the importance of effective trade facilitation and regulatory compliance. This achievement reflects the commitment of our officers, the collaboration with stakeholders, and the critical role of the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone in driving Nigeria’s economic growth,” he said.
He explained that the Command successfully facilitated the export of key products such as refined sugar, fertiliser, liquefied natural gas, LNG, and crude oil from major facilities, including Bundu Sugar Refinery, Notore Chemical PLC, and Bonny Island.
“The seamless management of imports and exports within the free trade zone has enhanced operations for licensed enterprises,” he noted.
Speaking on the significance of these achievements, Comptroller Usman emphasized the need to maintain the momentum.
“This accomplishment is not just about numbers but about fostering trade growth, innovation, and creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive within the free trade zone.”
On regulatory compliance, Comptroller Usman reassured Nigerians of the Command’s commitment to ensuring adherence to international trade regulations while fostering economic progress.
“Our focus remains on enhancing service delivery, promoting ease of doing business, and driving revenue generation that supports the nation’s development goals,” he said.
The command emphasized that collaboration with stakeholders, particularly the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Authority, has been pivotal in achieving these milestones, and called for continued partnership to sustain trade growth and improve service delivery.
As the year comes to a close, the command has reiterated its resolve to solidify its role as a critical revenue driver and trade facilitator in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Mr Usman said the performance reflects the command’s vital role in strengthening Nigeria’s non-oil revenue base and its determination to remain a key player in the country’s economic transformation efforts.
“We remain committed to sustaining our achievements, fostering trust among stakeholders, and contributing significantly to the nation’s economic growth,” Comptroller Usman concluded.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The federal government, the 36 states of the federation and the 774 local government areas have received N1.727 trillion from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) for December 2024.
The funds were disbursed to the three tiers of government from the revenue generated by the nation in November 2024.
At the December meeting of FAAC held in Abuja, it was stated that the amount distributed comprised distributable statutory revenue of N455.354 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N585.700 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N15.046 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N671.392 billion.
According to a statement signed on Friday by the Director of Press and Public Relations for FAAC, Mr Bawa Mokwa, the money generated last month was about N3.143 trillion, with N103.307 billion used for cost of collection and N1.312 trillion for transfers, interventions and refunds.
It was disclosed that gross statutory revenue of N1.827 trillion was received compared with the N1.336 trillion recorded a month earlier.
The statement said gross revenue of N628.972 billion was available from VAT versus N668.291 billion in the preceding month.
The organisation stated that last month, oil and gas royalty and CET levies recorded significant increases, while excise duty, VAT, import duty, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT) and EMTL decreased considerably.
As for the sharing, FAAC disclosed that from the N1.727 trillion, the central government got N581.856 billion, the states received N549.792 billion, the councils took N402.553 billion, while the benefiting states got N193.291 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue.
From the N585.700 billion VAT earnings, the national government got N87.855 billion, the states received N292.850 billion and the local councils were given N204.995 billion.
Also, from the N455.354 billion distributable statutory revenue, the federal government was given N175.690 billion, the states got N89.113 billion, the local governments had N68.702 billion, and the benefiting states received N121.849 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue.
In addition, from the N15.046 billion EMTL revenue, FAAC shared N2.257 billion to the federal government, disbursed N7.523 billion to the states and transferred N5.266 billion to the local councils.
Further, from the N671.392 billion Exchange Difference earnings, it gave central government N316.054 billion, the states N160.306 billion, the local government areas N123.590 billion, and the oil-producing states N71.442 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange recorded a 0.65 per cent gain on Friday, December 13, boosted by three equities admitted on the trading platform.
On the last trading session of the week, Okitipupa Plc appreciated by N2.70 to settle at N29.74 per share versus Thursday’s closing price of N27.04 per share, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc added N2.49 to end the session at N42.85 per unit compared with the previous day’s N40.36 per unit, and Afriland Properties Plc gained 50 Kobo to close at N16.30 per share, in contrast to the preceding session’s N15.80 per share.
Consequently, the market capitalisation added N6.89 billion to settle at N1.062 trillion compared with the preceding day’s N1.055 trillion and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) gained 19.66 points to wrap the session at 3,032.16 points compared with 3,012.50 points recorded in the previous session.
Yesterday, the volume of securities traded by investors increased by 171.6 per cent to 1.2 million units from the 447,905 units recorded a day earlier, but the value of shares traded by the market participants declined by 19.3 per cent to N2.4 million from the N3.02 million achieved a day earlier, and the number of deals went down by 14.3 per cent to 18 deals from 21 deals.
At the close of business, Geo-Fluids Plc was the most active stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with a turnover of 1.7 billion units worth N3.9 billion, followed by Okitipupa Plc with the sale of 752.2 million units valued at N7.8 billion, and Afriland Properties Plc with 297.3 million units sold for N5.3 million.
In the same vein, Aradel Holdings Plc remained the most active stock by value on a year-to-date basis with the sale of 108.7 million units for N89.2 billion, trailed by Okitipupa Plc with 752.2 million units valued at N7.8 billion, and Afriland Properties Plc with a turnover of 297.3 million units worth N5.3 billion.
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