Our planet has been around for billions of years and has been the habitat for thousands of human generations. We are only able to survive on this planet because our ancestors did not damage it and make it uninhabitable. That is why we have that responsibility to ensure the survival of our future generations by preserving and protecting the earth. However, since the industrial revolution, many people think only of making profits and care less about the planet’s health. This mindset is exponentially growing and being passed on to future generations, which only makes the situation worse.
So, one of the ways to fight against the destruction of our planet is by encouraging people to spend more time in nature. They will have a sense of appreciation and value the amazing aspects of it. That is why this article will discuss the ecological approach to crop production that will help reduce the damage we are doing to the planet.
Table of Contents
Mitigating hazards of monoculture farming
Industrial agriculture involves growing few crop species in large volumes. This method of farming is not very healthy for our planet and may even lead to global food security. Even modern technology can not reduce the damage that this type of agriculture causes. It is not sustainable and increases the chances of pests, diseases, and pollution in the long run.
In the case of monoculture, the farmer grows one type of crop repeatedly on the same field. Due to this farming method, growers can use their resources efficiently and produce large yields. However, monoculture is well known for mitigating hazards of monoculture farming, such as:
Excessive use of toxic fertilizers
In a monoculture agricultural system, the crops compete with each other for nutrients, which is why they do not grow well. To solve this problem, farmers need to use lots of synthetic fertilizers to provide the crops with the nutrients needed. However, excess use of chemical and synthetic fertilizers causes significant pollution to the environment and poisons the soil. These chemicals could also runoff into water sources which can lead to public health issues.
Compromising soil quality
Even though monoculture helps to hold the soil in place and prevent erosion caused by strong winds and downpours, it hinders leaf litter which is very vital for the health of topsoil. Planting the same crop season after season increases the chances of rain runoff, pests, and diseases.
Abusing water
Monoculture agriculture causes the moisture of the soil to be unstable. This leads to an increased need for irrigation which drains reservoirs and natural water sources, depriving water for other organisms.
Fossil fuel burning
Since monoculture agriculture produces large amounts of crops, it also requires a significant amount of fossil energy for packing and distribution. The burning of fossil fuels is one of the main reasons for global warming and climate change.
Can we reduce the effects of monoculture farming?
The level of negative effects due to monoculture depends on the intensity of farming. If only one crop is planted on a field for several years with any diversity, it will negatively impact ecosystems. However, there are many different ways to decrease the negative effects of monoculture on land.
One of the best ways to decrease the negative impact of monoculture is to plant a different species of the crop on the field every year. It will help to improve soil health and interrupt the reproduction cycle of pests. In addition, you need to practice precision farming, which helps you to know exactly when, where, and by how much to apply fertIlizers, irrigate plants, and harvest. For example, with the use of AI drones, farmers can determine which areas of their field need fertilizers. So, they will apply manure only to that specific area, thereby reducing the pollution. This is also true for the use of pesticides and herbicides. The farmer has precise information about the area needed to be sprayed, thus decreasing the number of chemicals that will be used on the farm.
Crop rotation
This is the process of rotating crops of the same field. For example, if farmers plant tomatoes this season, next season, they will grow groundnuts or any other crop but not tomatoes. It helps to fight against disease, insects, and weeds and increases soil quality.
Intercropping
As the name suggests, it is the practice of cultivating many different crop species on the same field at the same time. There are different types of intercropping:
Strip cropping is the process of planting different plants in adjacent strips.
Relay cropping is the process of cultivating different crops into already existing plantings
