SIXTH BLOG ENTRY: PRACTICES OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Sustainable agriculture is using farming practices considering the ecological cycles. It is also sensitive towards the microorganisms and their equation with the environment at large. In simpler terms, sustainable farming is farming ecologically by promoting methods and practices that are economically viable, environmentally sound and protect public health.

Practices of Sustainable Agriculture:
There are various practices or methods of sustainable agriculture as below:

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1.    Crop Rotation:
· Tested method used since ancient farming practices proven to keep the soil healthy and nutritious.
· Crops are picked in a pattern so that the crops planted this season replenishes the nutrients from soil that were absorbed by the previous crop cycle. Ex: row crops are planted after grains in order to balance the used nutrients.

2.    Avoid Soil Erosion:
· Old techniques like tilling the land, plowing still work very well. Fertilizers also help improve soil quality.
· Healthy soil is key to a good crop.

3.    Crop Diversity:
· Farmers can grow varieties of the same crop yielding small but substantial differences among the plants.
· Eases financial burdening. This process is called crop diversity and its practical use is on a down slide.

4.    Make use of Renewable Energy Source:

· Make use of alternate sources of energy is very important practice. Use of solar, hydro-power or wind farms is ecology friendly.


· Solar panels can use to store solar energy and use it for electrical fencing and running of pumps and heaters.
·  Running river water can be source of hydroelectric power and can be used to run various machines on farms.
· Geothermal heat pumps can be used to dig beneath the earth and can take advantage of earth’s heat.

5.    Integrated Pest Management:
·  Combination of pest control techniques for identifying and observing pests in the initial stages.
· Not all pests are harmful and it makes more sense to let them co-exist with the crop than spend money eliminating them.

6.    Natural Pest Eliminators:
·  Bats, birds and insects work as natural pest eliminators. Can build shelter to keep these eliminators close.
· These pest eliminators  like ladybugs, beetles, green lacewing larvae and fly parasites all feed on pests and are available in bulk from pest control stores or farming supply shops.

7.    Managed Grazing:

         

· A periodic shift of the grazing lands for cattle should be maintained. Moving livestock offers them a variety of grazing pastures.
· Change of location also prevents soil erosion. Grazing in time and moving the weeds can be gotten rid of before they produce more seeds and multiply.

8.    Removal of Weeds Manually:


· Farmers having small farms can use their hands to remove weeds from crops where machines cannot reach or where crops are too fragile.
· This labour-intensive task is not suitable for large farms.

Sustainable energy is not only economical but it also helps in the conservation of our natural resources. Sustainable agriculture also helps reduce the need for chemicals fertilizers and pesticides. This makes the process more organic and clean.

Benefits of Sustainable Farming:

1*   Environment Preservation
2*    Most efficient use of non-renewable resources
3*    Economic Profitability
4*    Protection of Public Health
5*    Social and Economic Equity







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