Although the world offers many resources to ensure the continuation of life, these resources may be in danger of extinction. Depletion of resources complicates the continuity of life. At this point, sustainability studies are gaining importance day by day in order to leave a better world for future generations. Sustainability is an essential need in the modernizing world. In this context, both individuals and companies have great responsibilities. Within the scope of sustainability, sustainable agriculture is one of the prominent studies so that living things can live in healthy conditions. It is important to create sustainable lands that can be cultivated so that future generations can live in a comfortable world. Sustainability in agriculture can be made possible by various methods. What is sustainable agriculture and how is it done? Why is sustainable agriculture important and what are sustainable farming practices?
What is Sustainable Agriculture?
Sustainable agriculture is all the practices developed to produce quality and sufficient food products for the continuation of human life, in harmony with nature, without disturbing the flow of natural life. Although the world is a wonderful home that offers unique resources for all living things, these resources are not endless. At this point, sustainable agriculture acts with the aim of protecting these resources and using them in the most efficient way possible. Although it is possible to make a lot of production and profit with industrial agriculture, it is a known fact that this method produces results that will endanger both nature and living life in the long run. Sustainable agriculture offers solutions aiming at the continuity of nature and the life of all living things by providing long-term benefits rather than producing solutions that save the day.
How Is Sustainable Agriculture Made?
For sustainable agriculture, first of all, the soil should be made the most fertile and natural. For this purpose, first of all, studies should be carried out to eliminate the reasons that prevent the use of soil for agriculture. Erosion, for example, is one of these problems. Some measures can be taken to prevent erosion that causes soil losses. Reducing the destruction of vegetation, giving importance to afforestation, arranging the sloping slopes in steps, planting crops in rotation instead of leaving the land fallow are some of the measures that can be taken to prevent erosion.
If your soil has become suitable for agriculture, you should also pay attention to water consumption during the cultivation of crops. The aim in sustainable agriculture is not to disturb the ecological balance and even to benefit the ecological balance.
The products, which are the output of sustainable agriculture, should be natural and in a structure that will benefit human health. In addition, pesticides etc. It should not affect the living life around the soil with applications.
What are Sustainable Agriculture Practices?
The most important point for sustainable agriculture is to plant alternately instead of leaving the soil empty. Because weeds can negatively affect the fertility of the soil. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to plant different types of plants and to feed the soil in this way.
Some farmers regularly plant the same crop year after year. Because they have knowledge on the maintenance of this product and they have such a market. At this point, instead of changing the main product, planting different types of the same plant will also be beneficial in terms of sustainable agriculture.
It is beneficial to plant cover plants such as clover in the soil from time to time. Such plants, by their nature, nourish and renew the soil.
In traditional farming methods, tilling is an important preparatory step. In this way, the weeds are cleared and the field is ready for the crop, but plowing also causes the soil to decrease. Instead of plowing the field, reduced tillage or no-till farming methods may be preferred. In these methods, the seed meets the soil directly. Thus, erosion is prevented and the soil can become more fertile.
The use of pesticides harms both the product and the nature. Some plant species attract various insects and birds. Some insect and bird varieties also prevent plant damage. You can release beneficial insects into the soil to control animals that will harm plants.
In industrial and traditional agriculture, plant production and animal husbandry are two separate fields. In sustainable agriculture methods, plant production and animal husbandry are considered as two fields that feed each other. The movement of animals benefits the soil. Because they compress the soil where they step, which helps prevent erosion. In addition, their excrement provides the natural fertilizer needed for the soil.
What are the Benefits of Sustainable Agriculture?
Sustainable agricultural practices aim to contribute to natural life and to benefit living life while protecting nature. Sustainable agricultural systems, which are also effective in the continuation of the generations of plants and animals that are in danger of extinction due to the increase in the productivity of the soil, will increase both productivity and profitability in the long run.
Sustainable agriculture; It is also very effective in areas such as preventing environmental pollution, saving energy, protecting the amount and quality of water, making healthy production, and protecting biological diversity.
Be the first to comment