What is sustainable agriculture? How does sustainable agriculture help people and the environment? How to develop sustainable agriculture effectively?
1/ The concept
On the same piece of land, sustainable agriculture first increases the productivity of crops and livestock and tends to be increasingly improved, economic efficiency must be promoted, feeds many people and income levels as well. increasingly improved without damaging the environment of nature and the community.
2/ Objectives
To achieve a sustainable agriculture, the following points must be achieved:
Achieve harmony of natural biological cycles and control them.
Protect and restore soil fertility and natural resources.
Optimize the management and use of farm resources.
Minimize the use of non-renewable sources and the inputs of production must be purchased from outside.
Ensure adequate and reliable income sources of the farm.
Encourage families and farming communities.
Reduce adverse impacts on human health, safety, wildlife, water quality and the environment.
3/ Role
3.1 The role of sustainable agricultural development with the economy
The agricultural sector can also be a source of capital and inputs for economic activity. With more than 70% of the population in rural areas there is actually abundant human resources reserve for urban areas. It is an industry that provides raw materials for the processing industry. Agricultural products are an important source of input materials of the processing industry, thereby improving the value of agricultural products in the market, especially towards export products.
3.2 The role of sustainable agricultural development with society
Sustainable development of agriculture in society is the specific contribution of agriculture to social development, ensuring equality in development, ensuring the lives of farmers achieve higher and higher results; raising incomes, ensuring family life, improving the quality of life, contributing to poverty alleviation, reducing the gap between rich and poor between classes and social groups.
4/ Method
4.1 Crop rotation
Crop rotation is one of the most popular and effective methods in sustainable agriculture. Crop rotation helps farmers deal with pests (since many insects and pests only destroy one favorite food, when we keep growing one plant, we are giving them a long-term stable food source while increasing the number of pests).
4.2 Cover crops
Cover crops are important because they are a natural source of nutrients for plants, while helping to reduce erosion and manage arable land. Soil cover plants contribute to adding N to the soil naturally, protecting the soil from erosion, improving the structure of the soil, reducing pests, weeds and diseases, and also helping to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.
4.3 Soil nutrition
The soil plays an important role in the agricultural ecosystem. A healthy soil source would be an ideal place for many species of organisms to coexist including beneficial microorganisms and insects, improving the yield and quality of vegetables, but at the same time it is also a place that is vulnerable to the use of chemical products and pesticides. It is essential in sustainable agriculture to improve the quality of the soil, nourishing the soil before, during or after each crop.
4.4 Pest management by biological
ethods For agricultural people, pest management is probably the most difficult task. When deciding to practice a sustainable agricultural farm, we should take the time to consider the ecological factors in our agricultural ecosystem. In organic agriculture, the phrase Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is widely used, especially on some farms with perennial trees and fruit trees. This method relies on natural approaches rather than chemicals in killing insects.
4.5 Use of renewable energy sources
Renewable energy plays a leading role in sustainable agricultural practices. For large-scale farms, the use of renewable energy both improves work efficiency while reducing the risk of discharge into the environment at the site as well as the surrounding environment. Solar panels can be used as a source of electricity for pumps, heating systems in greenhouses or electric fences, taking advantage of livestock waste to make biogas to help reduce living costs to reinvest in the farm.
4.6 Seed and water
Management Using local varieties with characteristics suitable for the weather conditions of the region, the adaptability and growth will be better, the resistance to pests is high. It is possible to build rainwater storage systems for irrigation during sunny periods, or learn models for reusing irrigation water to limit the risk of water shortage while cutting costs during farming.
4.7 Focus on locality Towards locality
In the distribution of agricultural products by participating in farmers markets or regional consumer facilities will help save costs and reduce risks in transportation and packaging. At the same time, this also helps reduce the need for product storage locations.
4.8 Record and store
In order to stay on track and ensure that the farm goals are achieved, it is absolutely important to record and store data. Good data logging and practice combine research into new ways that help us understand and characterize our farming areas ready for the next steps.
Facing the uncontrolled application of chemicals to agriculture, rampant dirty food, seriously polluted environment ... sustainable agriculture is a long-term solution, helping to enhance the value of the agricultural sector and playing a decisive role in balancing our ecosystem.
READ MORE: SERIOUS ECOLOGICAL THREAT BY CHEMICAL AGRICULTURE
