Sustainable agriculture Agri tech

 Sustainable agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is farming in such a way to protect the environment, aid and expand natural resources and to make the best use of nonrenewable resources.

There are several key principles associated with sustainability in agriculture

• The incorporation of biological and ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, soil regeneration, and nitrogen fixation into agricultural and food production practices.

• Using decreased amounts of non-renewable and unsustainable inputs, particularly environmentally harmful ones.

• Using the expertise of farmers to both productively work the land as well as to promote the self-reliance and self-sufficiency of farmers 

• Solving agricultural and natural resource problems through the cooperation and collaboration of people with different skills. The problems tackled include pest management and irrigation.

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Sustainable agriculture practices generally aim to maintain the health and longevity of farmland. 

✦Adopting Agroforestry Practices

Agroforestry is the practice of integrating trees into fields used for crop production or livestock. The benefits of agroforestry include controlling erosion, providing shade and protection from the wind, and supporting local wildlife habitats and food sources.

✦Applying Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 

Integrated Pest Management is a strategic approach to pest control that relies on a combination of methods including biological controls like natural parasites and chemical pesticides. Examples include the introduction of natural predators to control parasites, using disease-resistant plants, growing healthy crops that are strong enough to withstand pests or even incorporating plants nearby specifically to attract pests away from crops.

✦Integrating Livestock and Crops 

Many farms that identify with the sustainable agriculture approach use the same land to raise livestock and grow crops. Livestock integration can reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers, as animal manure provides nutrients to the plants. However, grazing cattle also comes with environmental downside, ecologists find, including increased climate emissions and destruction of wildlife and biodiversity.  

✦Managing Whole Systems and Landscapes 

Another sustainable agriculture technique is to use the entirety of the land, including less intensively cultivated or even uncultivated areas. Natural vegetation or prairie plants, for example, can help support the quality of soil as well as local wildlife. However, farmland expansion, especially grazing livestock, tends to increase deforestation and degradation of wild landscapes, and adds to biodiversity loss. 

✦Planting Cover Crops 

Cover crops are planted in rotation with other crops to help prevent erosion and enrich the soil. Some evidence from application in the U.S. suggests that cover cropping may be slightly lowering yield at present. Cover crops can help reduce the need for artificial pesticides by helping to control pests and smother weeds. 

✦Reducing Tillage 

Tillage is the practice of disturbing soil in preparation for planting and can be done by stirring, digging or overturning the soil. Reducing tillage decreases soil erosion while improving soil health and water quality.

✦Rotating Crops and Increasing Diversity 

Crop rotation refers to growing different types of crops in a single field one after the other. This helps to boost the biodiversity of soil, which benefits soil health and productivity and could ultimately lead to increased profitability or help safeguard against farm losses. 

Benefits of Sustainable Agriculture

• Conserves water

• Promote biodiversity of local plant and animal life

• Reduces agricultural waste and runoff

• Promotes soil health and fertility

• Captures carbon in the soil, fighting climate change

• Promotes energy efficiency

• Decreases greenhouse gas emissions

• Creates habitats for beneficial insect species and pollinators

• Promotes coexistence with animals and wildlife

• Provides economic opportunities

Water Conservation

Quite possibly one of the greatest benefits of adopting a sustainable farming approach is the ability to conserve water. Efficient irrigation systems, careful measuring of water use, recycling water, capturing rainwater, and treating grey water are just a few of the activities sustainable farmers do to improve their use of earth’s most precious resource.

Promote Biodiversity of Local Plant and Animal Life

Sustainability can be said to be about the interconnectedness of everything, and nowhere is this more true than on an organic, sustainable farm that promotes the growth and health of a range of flora and fauna, happily co-existing in harmony.

Reduces Agricultural Waste and Runoff

Sustainable farming, much like organic farming, uses natural inputs to fertilize crops and keep pests at bay. This shift away from chemical inputs results in less negative outcomes and healthier food. In most farms, even the waste is re-integrated into the ecosystem and does not pollute the environment.

Promotes Soil Health and Fertility

Sustainable farms often use methods such as crop rotation (planting different crops each season) and polycultures (growing multiple species in the same area) to help promote soil health. By rotating crops, nutrient levels in the soil are given time to replenish, and by growing different species together, farmers can ensure maximum utilisation of resources.

Capture Carbon in the Soil

Soil is the greatest carbon sink after the oceans, and increased levels in the ocean are already causing problems.

Working with ecology, organic farmers use diverse pastures and regenerative grazing management to create healthy soils. The relationship between plant roots and soil organisms is often minimized but it is critically important in sequestering carbon.

Promotes Energy Efficiency

Sustainable farming often relies on the use of renewable resources to power and manage the farm. This places less strain on power grid and reduces the use of fossil fuels. Solar panels can be used to power electric fences and wind turbines can be used to capture energy. Running rivers also provide a source of hydroelectric power.

Decreases Greenhouse Gas Emissions

While the use of renewable energy is one way sustainable farms can reduce greenhouse gas, it’s not the only way. By using natural fertilizers, sustainable farming reduces the amount of CO2 released from the use and production of nitrogen-based synthetic fertilizers.

Creates Habitats for Beneficial Insect Species and Pollinators

Sustainable farmers, like organic farmers, rely on beneficial insect and bird species to act as natural pest controllers and pollinators. Building a healthy ecosystem that provides a habitat for native species not only benefits the farm, but it benefits the entire local environment.

Promotes Coexistence with Animals and Wildlife

Not only do sustainable farms encourage local wildlife to find a home, many farmers raise livestock and grow crops. Mimicking ecosystems in the wild, having both animal and plant species together is hugely beneficial, and is a farming practice known as biodynamic farming.

Provides Economic Opportunities

Sustainable farming can provide additional economic opportunities, for both the farm and employees. By growing multiple crops, farmers can diversify their harvest, reducing the risk of crop failure having a huge impact on the business. Using natural methods can also mean more work available for workers.