The world population has increased sevenfold since 1800, and with it has the global demand for food. Agriculture has had to evolve and develop to keep the population fed, often to the detriment of the earth’s environment.
With the future of our planet in danger, we must adopt sustainable alternatives to farming and agriculture that both preserve our environment and increase yields. But how can sustainable farming help, and who are the pioneers of sustainable farming?
What is sustainable farming?
Sustainable farming refers to agricultural practices that don’t harm the environment, its inhabitants and its natural resources. Sustainable farming can be used to produce animal, plant or fibre products. The practice takes into account social responsibilities such as the living and working conditions of employees within the industry.
Benefits of sustainable farming
• Prevents the spread of crop disease: Sustainable farming involves growing crops according to season, preventing crop disease from spreading due to intensive monoculture farming.
• Stops soil erosion: Crop rotation prevents soil erosion by replenishing nutrients, promoting biodiversity and minimising weeds for healthier soil.
• Reduces chemical pollution: Sustainable farming practices use natural fertilisers and integrated pest control management to reduce chemical pollution and improve the quality of crops.
• Supports farming communities: Sustainable farming promotes the economic viability of farming, strengthening rural communities and ensuring those employed in the industry receive a living wage.
• Promotes biodiversity: Sustainable farming supports healthy ecosystems by providing shade, shelter and water to animals and plant life living on farmland.
• Reduces non-renewable energy use: Sustainable farming utilises renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, whenever it is economically feasible to do so.
• Reduces water waste: Irrigation systems are installed on sustainable farmland to make use of rainwater, improve soil drainage and reduce waste water.
The pioneers in sustainable farming techniques
Sustainable farming techniques range from practical adjustments to technological advancements, with a combination of both being the most effective route to a greener agricultural industry.
At Verdesian Life Sciences, pioneers in the field use advanced science to revolutionize agriculture. Their range of sustainably produced nutrients and fertilisers boost farming efficiency by:
• Balancing plant nutrients: Verdesian uses patented nutrient technology to ensure plants are receiving the optimum balance of nutrients to stabilise their metabolic system and boost growth performance.
• Increase nutrient consumption: Using targeted metabolite fertilisers, Verdesian increases nutrient consumption in plants to optimise growth rate for larger, stronger yields.
• Boost nutrient presence: Soluble polymer technology prevents adverse reactions in the soil from eliminating nutrients from the fertiliser, increasing nutrient presence for a greater return on crops.
• Support healthy growth: Biostimulants are administered via seed or foliar treatments to support healthy plant growth both below and above the soil.
The future of farming
With increasing threats to our natural environment, and the need to provide our growing population with food, sustainable farming looks set to be the future of agriculture. It is up to the pioneers of this industry to develop practices that are up to this task.
