It is predicted that the world population will reach 9.2 billion people by 2050. If in 2012 the World Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) estimated that one in eight people is going to sleep hungry, this situation can only worsen under current conditions. And this is not the only thing our grandchildren will have to worry about.
Factors such as the increase in food production costs, climate change, as well as the inefficient distribution of food systems and restrictions on the use of land for agriculture (almost 3/4 of the land for cultivation are already being used , and the rest is not used due to its low production or because it is found in ecological reserves) make us wonder how we could promote lifestyles that from today help us anticipate future conditions and avoid a food crisis.
One option is sustainable cultivation. Developing together with the farmers new techniques to produce food without increasing the costs to the environment is one option. In itself, producing less meat would help to reduce the environmental impact (by using the grain for livestock consumption in other forms of human consumption, as well as investing more efficiently the water and land destined for its maintenance): nowadays producing a kilo of meat costs an average of 10 kg of food and 15,000 liters of water.
At a domestic level the battle is also on. Here are some ways in which you can contribute to reducing the food problem by implementing domestic agriculture:
Seven simple methods of sustainable domestic agriculture
1. water management
Soil quality can be improved with efficient soil drainage. Improper water management affects not only the quality of the soil, but also the rivers and wildlife that depend on it. In addition to draining the soil so that it does not rot, farmers should try to grow only products from the region, as it will be easier for such foods to adapt to the local climate. Implementing a rainwater collection and storage system is necessary to irrigate the land without using the groundwater table.
two. land maintenance
Traditional methods such as plowing ensure that the earth has movement and that they can take advantage of the air. Natural fertilizers such as manure or cover crops, as well as the use of natural coal ash can also improve the quality of the soil, and therefore the quality of the crop.
3. clearing the earth by hand
In large areas this is no longer possible, but eliminating weeds and weeds using chemicals will be counterproductive. It is best to cut and graze the land before weeds appear and reproduce.
Four. Crop varieties
It is not advisable to always plant the same seed time. Using different varieties of the same species ensures that the genetic difference produces stronger crops. Transgenic seeds try to replace this process that the seeds carry out by themselves over time; It should be said that it is better to use non-transgenic seeds.
5. Sale of local crops
Packing, transporting and storing crops also generates unnecessary energy consumption. Using local seeds not only reduces the carbon footprint but allows the economic benefits of the crop to remain in the community.
6. Attract animals that do not damage the crop
Before the appearance of pesticides, man attracted the predators of those animals that decimated the crop. Some farmers build roosts for birds and bats that feed on insects; they even buy ladybugs (lady beetles in some countries) to feed on the pests.
7. crop rotation
Another age-old technique to maintain soil quality and allow nutrients to be available again for subsequent plantings. It can also help get rid of diseases or pests that affected previous crops.
[EcoStreet]
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