As India walks on the road to become the most populated country in the world, the need for sustainability has now become the most crucial. There has been a growing need to turn towards sustainable practices in various fields and industries. But before we delve further into the blog, let’s understand the true meaning of sustainability in the agro industry.
In its essence, sustainable agriculture refers to the mass production of plant & animal products while prioritising the protection of the environment. It includes practices & systems that help individuals meet their own needs without exploiting the nature. Sustainable agriculture is finding the right balance between the necessity for food production and the preservation of the natural ecosystem. Popularly in the rural India, farming is the main utilization of machineries like Mahindra Jivo.
Further in this blog, you will explore the 7 best practices for farming that are eco-friendly and contribute to long-term sustainability. And by adopting these practices, farmers will be able to counteract the impacts of traditional farming practices & embrace more environmentally friendly approaches. The kind of agro-practices that will nurture the planet and benefit society as a whole with equipments like Mahindra Yuvo tractors.
So, here are the top 7 eco-friendly farming practices that will ensure sustainability at its best.
Cover Plant Crops & Perennials
You can easily minimise the use of pesticides & fertilisers by covering crops like rye, clover, clover & hairy vetch. These crops are generally planted during the off-season when soils are left naked. However, the permanent crops keep the soil covered with live roots in the ground year-long. Covering these crops helps them to maintain & improve solid health by preventing erosion, replenishing soil nutrients & controlling weed growth.
Urban Agriculture
The need to localise our food system necessitates producing food much closer to home, particularly in cities. Because the majority of the world’s population is predicted to live in cities in the future, urban agriculture has a big possibility to have a significant beneficial influence on how we produce food globally in the future. Farmers are already employing many innovative and sustainable growing techniques for eco-friendly agriculture, such as backyard farms and gardens, community gardens, rooftop farms, growing crops in urban greenhouses, indoor hydroponic farms, and possibly someday even growing food inside urban farm towers.
Organic Farming
Organic farming is a farming practice that uses natural pest management and biological fertilisers to grow crops without the use of chemicals or pesticides. This technique optimises the energy and nutrient cycles of the agricultural ecosystem.
Fertilisation, according to the study, increases the organic carbon in the soil, resulting in a large release of CO2 into the atmosphere. Farmers will benefit from organic agricultural practices in reducing nitrous oxide and methane emissions from the land. As a result, this method has a long-term positive impact on water, adjacent species, land, the environment, and farmers.
4. No-Till Farming
No-till farming is a farming method that avoids disturbing the soil through tillage. This promotes water penetration, keeps nutrients in the soil, and maintains the organic quality of the soil. Many agricultural fields have seen a reduction in soil erosion and an increase in the lives of soil microorganisms, making cultivation easier. Through no-till farming, soil resilience must witness the increment.
5. Polyculture Farming
This approach, like crop rotation, aims to mimic natural principles in order to maximise yields. It requires growing multiple crop species in the same area. These species typically complement one another, allowing for a broader range of items to be produced on the same plot while fully using available resources.
6. Permaculture
Permaculture is a food production approach that mimics how vegetables and plants grow in natural conditions. It makes use of natural ideas like intention, smart farming, and design to reduce resource waste and increase production efficiency. Producing grains and vegetables without ploughing, each plant providing several uses, herb and plant spirals, hügelkultur beds, and building swales to store water are all permaculture design techniques.
7. Agroforestry
Last but not least, the agroforestry strategy, which entails planting woody perennials on agricultural land, is being implemented. Because of its efficient use of land, the technology is very productive and sustainable. This method will boost the economy while also being healthy and environmentally beneficial.
Final Words
To conclude, the importance of sustainability in the agro industry cannot be overlooked anymore. Sustainable agriculture includes agri practices that prioritise environmental protection while meeting the needs of individuals. By opting for eco-friendly farming practices, farmers can mitigate the negative impacts of traditional methods and contribute to long-term sustainability.
However, our above-mentioned and advised 7 practices for eco-friendly farming, could give you a roadmap to nurture nature & benefit society as a whole. All these practices will promote soil health, and minimise the use of pesticides &fertilisers and increase the overall production efficiency.
By adopting these sustainable farming practices, India’s agro industry can strike the much-need balance between food production and environmental preservation. It is through such conscious efforts that the nation can ensure a secure and sustainable future, not only for the farming community but also for the entire ecosystem and generations to come. The path to a sustainable and resilient agro industry lies in the hands of farmers who embrace these practices and become the champions of change.
