Sustainable Substitutes for Traditional Agricultural Methods
In the 21st century, farmers have it tough as agriculture has become a mass-production matter. As demand for food rises, it becomes increasingly difficult for the soil to keep up with constant cultivation.
The State of Our Soil: Less Nutrients
Our soil has lost fertility over the years. Healthy soil is an ecosystem teeming with bacteria, protozoans, minerals, and fungi. Now, however, this ecosystem is in peril. Urbanization is one major player in this development since it has accelerated resource consumption and led to increasingly limited space. Standard agricultural practices are another key cause, such as the use of pesticides, the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, monocropping, and crop removal methods. They often lead to soil erosion and loss of organic substances. Denitrification and volatilization are other reasons for nitrogen escaping from the soil. Governments should implement policies to ensure more sustainable farming practices.
What to Do Instead: Sustainable Agricultural Methods
There are many ways to farm sustainably:
1. Rotational crop cultivation
Rotating crops instead of planting a single type of crop can help the soil retain its fertility.
2. Growing crops under solar panels
This is way of farming which reduces water consumption and protects crops from direct UV exposure. How does it work? Under the shade of solar panels, water evaporates more quickly and temperatures are lower. At the same time, “sweat” from plants cool the panels above them, boosting their efficiency. Research has suggested this way of farming would especially benefit cilantro, pepper, and tomato cultivation across regions and climates.
3. Green roofs
These roofs are ideal for urban areas. They improve water drainage, keep the temperature cool on hot days, and help purify air.
Related article: Sustainability Efforts With Green Roofs
4. Monitor the pH value of soil before farming
Before cultivating crops, check if the soil is acidic or basic. The pH value largely affects the amount of yield. Reverse water osmosis treatments help balance pH levels by removing carbonates from water. This keeps soil fertile.
Conclusion
To create a sustainable future, we need to be careful about how we plant crops and treat the soil.
Sources:
https://www.wired.com/story/growing-crops-under-solar-panels-now-theres-a-bright-idea/
https://foodprint.org/issues/how-industrial-agriculture-affects-our-soil/
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