A FARMING innovation developed in NSW could help pave the way to better quality of life for people in developing countries.
Gianna Bonis-Profumo is studying her Masters in Development Studies at the University of Sydney, and spent two years in Mudgee studying sustainable agriculture and the practises espoused by US farmer Joel Salatin.
Her studies enabled Ms Bonis-Profumo to win the Barilla Centre for Food and Nutrition's Young Earth Solutions (BCFN YES) competition for her proposal to encourage sustainable farming in five low-income countries in Southeast Asia.
"The aim of the project is to increase the dietary intake of nutrient-dense foods of mothers and children, through the integration of poultry and vegetable production - a sustainable agriculture technique - combined with nutrition education," Ms Bonis-Profumo said.
"It is a holistic approach to nutrition and health, going all the way back to food production."
Most rural populations in Southeast Asia base their livelihoods on subsistence farming and have vegetable gardens and small livestock systems, and Ms Bonis-Profumo believes tweaking these practices could ensure food nutrition and security at a household and local level.
Her program would involve rotating chicken enclosures across garden beds to fertilize, to clear weeds and to manage pests.
The chicken manure is rich in nitrogen, and would help with plant growth.
Insect farms could be used to breed cockroaches, worms and soldier flies in order to supplement the chickens' diet and ensure optimal nutrition content of eggs.
"I learned about sustainable agriculture at an organic farm near Mudgee (Milkwood Permaculture farm)," she said.
"There was a lot influence of Joel Salatin."
Mr Salatin advocates chemical-free, sustainable farming, making the most of all available land with a number of animals grazing at different times.
Ms Bonis-Profumo will use the BCFN YES prize money to begin implementing the project.
Her ultimate goal is to build Food and Nutrition Hub in villages, creating a space where sustainable agriculture techniques are taught and demonstrated, in combination with nutritional education.
Roderick Makim
Senior journalist for The Land.
Senior journalist for The Land.
