Opponents of the organics movement claim that it has become as dependent on industrial processes and purchased inputs as conventional agriculture. Some have labeled the movement Big Organics deriding it in the same fashion that environmentalists use for tobacco and oil industries. It has become mainstream, losing its commitment as an alternate food resource, according to some sources.
But is all that really true? Aren’t practitioners of conventional agriculture using organic techniques to limit the use of synthetic chemicals and excessive tillage? Meanwhile, companies that produce wholly botanical alternatives keep increasing in number. Terramera Company and its plant-based products are just one example of the worldwide organic movement.
Does it
look like sustainable farming is going somewhere? It doesn’t! In fact, here are
the latest trends in this industry:
The IoT disruption
If you are unaware of the widespread effect that the IoT is having on our lives, get on board! Its disruption has also begun to revolutionize the agriculture industry. Cisco reports that more than $14 trillion worth of export that is at stake is no longer endangered due to the IoT.
The IoT is changing the field through simplification of
agricultural resources. It then streamlines them, so they are equally
distributed wherever and whenever needed. For instance, through sensor
placement, farmers may view their crops regardless of where they are. These
sensors are equipped with imaging technology that makes them supremely useful.
They also deliver information in real-time.
Imagine knowing when to grow what. This speeds up the
process of determining how plants thrive in new environments. A wider
application of this strategy can increase food production around the globe!s
Vertical farming
Vertical farming, as its name suggests, refers to plants being grown vertically, instead of horizontally. While we discuss its various advantages below, its primary benefit is speeding up plant yield. It involves using farming methods, such as hydroponics and aeroponics. This is done to cultivate food, produce fuel, fiber, and other plant-based products. This way of farming was based on a vision of cities and high rises being transformed into vertical fields. Besides reducing the cost of transportation, vertical farming has many other advantages for megacities like Chicago and New York:
No more lack of growing space
According to this source,
a building that is 30-stories high can potentially be used to produce a crop
yield equal to that on 2,400 acres of land! Thus, with the continuous increase
in population, food demand and lack of space to grow crops, vertical farming
can turn high rises into farmland alternatives.
Reduction of use of pesticides
Since it would be
easier to manipulate the conditions within a building as opposed to in nature,
growers can reduce the use of synthetic chemicals. Farmers would be able to grow more organic crops.
Conservation of the environment
Vertical farming can
be environment-friendly since it unites the growing of vegetation from land
resources. The forests that have been cut down can be substituted with
metropolitan ones. Moreover, due to less use of fossil fuel-driven vehicles,
such as tractors and threshers, CO2 emission will also reduce.
Sustainable urban growths
Since the method of vertical farming is sustainable itself,
it can also be used to support urban growth in the future. It shouldn’t affect the environment in a negative way as
long as growers apply a holistic approach. Vertical farming could be the
breakthrough that the world needs in terms of
food sufficiency.
Genebank management
The Plant Genetic Resources
for Food and Agriculture produced its Genebank Standards in 2014.
This publication is considered a benchmark in promoting the best agricultural
practices through science and technology. It was
drafted under the guidance of the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources
for Food and Agriculture. Besides guiding individual countries, the standards have
also been instrumental in the implementation of treaties, such as the International
Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
Increasingly more nations of the world are pushing their farmers
to follow the standards. To make the transition even smoother on the growers, FAO
and the Global Crop Diversity Trust have created additional guidelines. These
rules will make the application of the Genebank Standards easier.
The guidelines will instruct farmers on how to conserve
orthodox seeds off-site. It will also
include instructions on management of in vitro collections and field genebanks.
The focus of the authorities and experts involved in its creation is on forming
a product with a high degree of customizability.
Other trends
According to Compass Natural Marketing, sustainable
agriculture displays 13 main trends. For instance, the smarter consumer of
today demands organic products, whether in their kitchen or for gardening. Such
increased demand has resulted in higher production of organic products.
According to the USDA, the average American farmer is 57
years old. Does that mean the future generation isn’t interested in where the
food on their plates originates from? Not at all! More and more youngsters are
supporting farmer’s markets, city-based organic gardening, community-supported
agriculture, and small-scale organic farming in urban areas.
More consumers who have families of their own shift to
organic food each day. By now, more than forty percent of parents have gone the
organic way. Slow Money is the go-to source for investors who want to support
the local sustainable food businesses – and it is rapidly expanding! This is
all taking place even when the long-lasting and deep-reaching impact of the
economic downturn restrains most shoppers to a tight budget. How are they
managing to buy organic then? A look at the 25% higher coupon redemption rate
might give you a hint.
The world of sustainable farming is changing rapidly.
Whether you are a consumer or manufacturer, your actions leave footprints on the
environment. Isn’t it time you started taking some responsibility by using
products from environmentally-conscious businesses? We think so too!
Green Jobs
How to Apply for a Green Job With the demand for green jobs skyrocketing so far in 2017, giving yourself a unique edge can be difficult—yet absolutely necessary—in order for you to become a proud worker for Mother Earth. Follow these steps to successfully claim your next environmentally friendly employment opportunity. 1. Resume: Make sure … Continue reading..
