Sustainable agriculture: methods and advantages
Sustainable agriculture: methods and advantages
in sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is an emerging approach that has the potential to change our eating habits and life on earth. Sustainable agriculture means the use of agricultural practices and processes that contribute to the preservation of natural resources, to protect the environment and to promote fair economic opportunities for everyone. Sustainable is not just a keyword, but a necessity in a world that has to deal with growing environmental problems, falling biodiversity and the loss of fertile soil. In this article we want to present some methods of sustainable agriculture and illuminate the advantages of this approach.
methods of sustainable agriculture
The methods of sustainable agriculture are diverse and focus on the preservation of soil fertility, the use of sustainable irrigation practices, the integration of cattle breeding and agriculture, the conscious handling of pesticides and fertilizers up to support the local economy.
Conservation of soil fertility
The most important part of sustainable agriculture is protection and maintaining soil health. In fact, the entire health of the agricultural system depends on the well -being of the soil. A method that contributes to this is the direct sowing, whereby the seeds are brought directly into the ground without plowing or editing the soil. This reduces soil erosion because the soil is less often disturbed.
Another method is to use compost and other organic materials for enriching the soil instead of using synthetic fertilizers. The compost promotes the activity of soil organisms that contribute to the preservation of the soil structure.
Sustainable irrigation methods
Conventional irrigation methods can waste enormous amounts of water. Sustainable irrigation techniques such as dropping of drops or microirnation can help save water by supplying the water directly to the roots of the plants. These methods not only reduce water consumption, they can also help reduce the risk of diseases caused by wet soil.
Integration of agriculture and cattle breeding
A sustainable farm tries to create a closed cycle by integrating agriculture and cattle breeding. Animals can play an important role in maintaining the fertility of the soil by processing their waste into fertilizer. In addition, plant residues that remain in the field can serve as animal feed.
handling of pesticides and fertilizers
Sustainable agriculture is looking for the conscious handling of pesticides and fertilizers. These substances can not only damage soil life, but also get into the groundwater and contaminate it. The use of natural enemies of pests, such as insect -eating birds or insects, and the use of natural fertilizers are environmentally friendly alternatives.
Support of the local economy
Sustainable agriculture also means support for the local economy. Local farmers often sell at peasant markets or other local outlets, which gives local jobs. In addition, sustainable agriculture is often small, which contributes to the avoidance of monocultures that threaten biodiversity.
advantages of sustainable agriculture
The advantages of sustainable agriculture are numerous and extensive, from environmental protection to nutritional security to social justice.
preservation of natural resources
By consciously handling water and soil, sustainable agriculture contributes to the preservation of these essential natural resources. The preservation of soil fertility is of crucial importance for the well -being of agriculture and thus for global food security.
Promotion of biodiversity
Sustainable agriculture contributes to the promotion of biodiversity by not only receiving and promoting the biodiversity of the crops, but also the biodiversity of the animals and the microorganisms that live in the ground.
nutritional security
Sustainable agriculture can contribute to nutritional security by increasing the production and availability of healthy foods. Healthy soils produce healthy plants that feed healthy people.
social justice
Sustainable agriculture can contribute to social justice by promoting fair working conditions and fair prices for agricultural products.
FAZIT
Sustainable agriculture has the potential to revolutionize our current agricultural practices. By taking the environmental impact and emphasis on the importance of maintaining the natural resources that we have available, we can not only provide ourselves, but also for future generations. At a time when the environmental impact of our actions are becoming more obvious than ever, the changeover to sustainable agriculture is urgently required. The advantages she brings with it make it worth pursuing this approach.