Ecological Farming and Sustainable Food Systems Essay Example

Ecological farming is a high-end objective among the advocators of sustainable agriculture. Although almost similar and compatible with organic farming, is it an extremely different concept (Canavan et al., 2017). The approach encompasses all farming approaches that contribute to the regeneration of ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, control of soil erosion, water retention and infiltration, and increased biodiversity. Some of the techniques included are multispecies cover crops, no-tillage, terrace cultivation, strip cropping, pasture cropping, and shelterbelts. In the paper the link between ecological farming and sustainable food systems is discussed. It is argued that ecological farming is not only the most feasible approach to addressing the increasing food demand but also the most sustainable way to achieving such objectives.

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Ecological farming also referred to as biological or organic farming, is a concept premised on taking advantage of natural resources, such as increasing soil fertility, fighting pests and so forth with the use of chemicals, such as antibiotics, pesticides, fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms. The high rate of population growth is expected to create an unprecedented food demand in the near future. Altieri (1998) argues that the pressure to address such demands has contributed to automation and intensification of agricultural practices and expansion of farmlands, which has affected the environment negatively and resulted in natural habitat loss. The process results in more nutritious and healthy foods, as well as greater sustainability and efficient use of environmental resources (Pretty, 2009). They are various types of ecological farming and the classification is based on the respect and balance for the environment, and they include natural agriculture, biodynamic agriculture, permaculture, synergistic agriculture and so forth.

Ecological farming is viewed as the possible solution to natural resource depletion and climate change. It is considered as a process that requires optimal management of the biodiversity and ecological functions of nature to enhance the performance and efficiency of the agricultural system and the livelihood of farmers (Kremen, Iles & Bacon, 2012). The approach entails practical management of strategies, which enhance and integrate ecosystem functions related to crop production within commercial systems of farming. For instance, it includes increase plant and animal diversity to develop resilient agroecosystems and sustaining a healthy population of crop pollinators, which may compensate a low degree of fertilizer application and benefit yield. Despite ecological farming is a promising concept, studies do not clearly demonstrate its link to increased yield. Large-scale implementation necessitates a clear demonstration of the anticipated yield.

According to Liang (1998), this mode of farming involves the integration of symbiotic species to support environmental sustainability. Some of the associated benefits are the reduction of dead zones, as well as ecological debt. The concept is a practical and pioneering development that aims to foster sustainable land use and management systems and inculcates the review of the value of maintaining biodiversity in the agricultural food production chain. According to Garibaldi et al. (2017), respecting the needs of the environment is among the many benefits of ecological farming. On adopting the farming option, farmers engage in environmental conservation and prevent land, air and water pollution. Similarly, the technique respects wildlife because of the low level of pollution, less emission of GHGs and low waste generation, which bring about high energy savings and low carbon footprint due to the optimum use of non-renewable resources. Biodiversity decline is among the primary environmental concerns in the present-day, and the primary objective of ecological farming is the preservation of biodiversity and safeguarding seed varieties with a critical focus on cultural and nutritional value.

Traditional farming is associated with the insufficient functioning of the agricultural system and reduced crop resistance, soil quality, and animal and human health. Consequently, the objective of ecological farming is to provide consumers with a great range of products while taking into account the natural lifecycle of agro-ecosystems. The farming option aims to achieve the above objective by meeting an array of principles and good practices aimed at minimizing the effect of anthropogenic factors on the environment (Kremen, Iles & Bacon, 2012). Crop rotation is adopted to address the requirement of efficient use of existing resources and the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers is limited because of their possible harm to the environment. It prohibits the application of GMOs and encourages a diverse ecosystem to control pests and preserve soil fertility through natural means. Similarly, farmers reproductively select animal and plant species with traits that suit the local conditions and pest resistant.

The proponents of ecological farming do not only support its contribution to soil fertility, but also its positive impact on water management, improvement of soil structure and efficient nutrient use. Farmers maintain hedges to secure the land from agents of erosion and create ideal habitats for insects, birds, and other wildlife, hence contributing to improved biodiversity. Through the improvement of humus content and crop protection, ecological farming lead reduces nutrient loss through infiltration and lowers the risk of water contamination and soil erosion. Further, it leads to the improvement of soil composition through recycling of by-products and wastes from animal and plants. Incorporation of biological activity within the soil stratum leads to increased biological activity within the soil and protects the soil from degradation. The result is a controlled rate of global warming as the level of organic matter is reestablished and hence the replenishment of soil carbon content. Ecological farming could potentially help arrest climate change through its contribution to the reduction in GHG emissions.

References

Altieri, M. A. (1998). Ecological Impacts of Industrial Agriculture and the Possibilities for Truly Sustainable Farming. Monthly Review, 50(3), 60. doi:10.14452/mr-050-03-1998-07_5

Canavan, C. R., Noor, R. A., Golden, C. D., Fawzi, W., Canavan, C. R., Fawzi, W., Noor, R. A.,... Juma, C. (June 01, 2017). Sustainable food systems for optimal planetary health. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 111, 6, 238-240.

Garibaldi, L. A., Gemmill-Herren, B., D'Annolfo, R., Graeub, B. E., Cunningham, S. A., & Breeze, T. D. (January 01, 2017). Farming Approaches for Greater Biodiversity, Livelihoods, and Food Security. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 32, 1, 68-80.

Kremen, C., Iles, A., & Bacon, C. (2012). Diversified Farming Systems: An Agroecological, Systems-based Alternative to Modern Industrial Agriculture. Ecology and Society, 17(4). doi:10.5751/es-05103-170444

Liang, W. (1998). Farming systems as an approach to agro-ecological engineering. Ecological Engineering, 11(1-4), 27-35. doi:10.1016/s0925-8574(98)00042-1

Pretty, J. (2009). Can Ecological Agriculture Feed Nine Billion People? Monthly Review, 61(6), 46. doi:10.14452/mr-061-06-2009-10_5