Sustainable farming methods are intended to protect the environment and expand natural resources. It also maintains and improves soil fertility. Organic agriculture contributes to weakening the greenhouse effect and global warming. This brings benefits to both the environment and the economy of the world.
Benefits for the Environment
- Provides cleaner water
- Maintains a Healthy soil
- Promotes progress and growth
- Prohibits the use of harmful pesticides and limiting non-renewable energy are few.
Benefits for the Economy
- Reduces costs of production
- Eliminating the expenses for pesticides and fertilizers
- Profitable production with conservation of soil, water, and energy.
- Self-Sustaining economics
- Improves quality of life
Organic farmers rely on seven sustainable farming practices to grow without the use of chemical inputs. They are as follows: Ploughing, Sowing, Adding nutrients, Irrigation, Protecting plants, Harvesting, and Storage. Out of all the most abundant type practiced around the world depends on animal power which is also known as intensive subsistence agriculture.
The sustainable farming methods of organic farming include crop rotation, green manures, and compost. Along with the above adopting agroforestry practices and managing whole systems and landscapes are followed. These methods offer solutions to industrial farming leaving the natural resources safe.
There are many incentives for sustainable farming. Among them, a few are listed below:
- It uses fewer pesticides
- Reduces soil erosion
- Source of employment
- An inexpensive process
- No emissions
Through this, the land will remain healthy and can go a long way when considering the rise of the population and demand for food. It encourages renewable energy sources whenever possible along with other measures that are safe for the planet.
Sustainable farming is important for farmers as they can preserve and restore critical habitats, help and protect watersheds and improve the health quality of water and soil.