Environmental and health concerns have been sweeping across societies and industries for a long time now. Safe and reliable food supply, energy efficiency, carbon footprint, climate change – all of these are concerns the agricultural sector also face.
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| Image source: calclimateag.org |
The solution is a comprehensive approach that maximizes resources and minimizes waste: sustainable agriculture.
One way of practicing sustainable agriculture is adopting integrated farming. It is a holistic farm management system that imitates nature’s work in raising and taking care of plans and animals in the farm.
The framework involves utilizing organization and planning, human capital, energy efficiency, water usage and preservation, air quality management, soil management, crop nutrition and protection, livestock raising, health, landscaping, waste management, and pollution control.
In doing so, productivity is increased using the most natural means. Nutrients from organic matter are also optimized by being recycled and reused in farm activities. Diversity in the farm can also be achieved, giving rise biodiversity, and makes species more resilient to pests and weather.
Integrated farming has been gaining currency as its benefits are coming to light. And while there are still challenges involved in integrated farmning, these are also opportunities to put science and technology to work in the field.
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| Image source: nzdl.org |
Geoffrey Morell’s P.A. Bowen Farmstead practices integrated farming techniques in its production of quality farm products. It also offers farm tours so visitors can learn about sustainable agriculture. Visit this website for more information.
