How I got into Sustainable Agriculture and what I believe it is!
I have to be honest with you, I used to hate gardening when I was a little kid. Mom would just interrupt when I was having fun and take me gardening. Indeed, most kids hate that but deep inside of me was another world, I dreamt of living outside the city on a farm with so many animals including the wild ones, growing my own food and all.
Before I go any further, I would like to appreciate mom for letting me know that we can still eat healthy food and keep the environment safe.
Ok, so little did I know that this desire was called SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE in other people’s world. OMG, when I first came across that word, it changed my life. Together with my minimalistic tendencies; it became a good combination. Anyway, let's talk about this good practice.
Agriculture often places significant pressure on natural resources and the environment. Sustainable agricultural practices are intended to protect the environment, expand the Earth’s natural resource base, and maintain and improve soil fertility. Based on a multi-pronged goal, sustainable agriculture seeks to:
- Increase profitable farm income
- Promote environmental stewardship
- Enhance the quality of life for farm families and communities
- Increase production for human food and fiber needs
Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals — environmental health, economic profitability, and social equity. A variety of philosophies, policies, and practices have contributed to these goals, but a few common themes and principles weave through most definitions of sustainable agriculture.
I can not say am there yet but have since started applying some of this in my backyard and at a rented small place and yes I need financial assistance to implement my blueprint on a bigger scale. They say dream big, I am and I even registered FARM HAPPINESS with the above logo for my operations. More about this will follow.
Here are some sustainable farming methods that make a difference
Soil Enrichment
Rich and fertile soils are integral to growing healthy crops and for increasing crop yield as well. The traditional techniques of farming often reduce the fertility of the soil by the overuse of pesticides. Sustainable farming practices like leaving crop residue in the field post-harvest, using plant and animal compost as manure, are all critical.
Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is a powerful and highly effective method of moving towards adopting sustainable agriculture. It helps eliminate the challenges that come with planting the same crop in the same soil for years together. The chief is the elimination of pests that attack specific crops. Crop rotation breaks down the population of the pests that thrive on a particular variety of crops. Also, planting crops that replenish plant nutrients after harvesting one specific crop, leads to a decreased need for chemical fertilisers.
Cover Crops
As the name suggests, the cover crops are sown for the protection and enrichment of the soil. Cover crops like clover, oats and rye protect the soil from erosion by wind and water. They also suppress the growth of weeds, optimise the nitrogen levels in the soil and improve the overall quality of the land. All this leads to a reduced need for fertilisers.
Natural Pest Hunters
Many birds and animals are natural predators of pests that plague and destroy the crops. Sustainable farming ensures the habitation of these birds and animals on the farms, thereby keeping the number of pests in check. As a result, it improves the production and quality of the crop grown dramatically. Using pest predators is a highly effective technique in controlling the onslaught of the pests. Consequently, it also helps in bringing down the need for insecticides. All of the above and many more sustainable practices lead to a more profitable and viable future for all. In fact, this is the only way forward to ensure the ensuing generations even have a future.
We can all contribute by demanding products that have been grown or produced using sustainable practices. Let us all pledge to do our bit in nurturing nature.
