The current agriculture infrastructure releases high levels of greenhouse gas emissions through transportation, planting, harvesting, processing and the production of livestock, in addition, pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers contribute significantly towards water pollution. 

Implementing sustainable agriculture has several enablers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and controlling climate change as well as has a critical role in ensuring sufficient food supply to the worlds growing population. 

The change of climate can be controlled in the agricultural sector by:

Water Waste Management

Efficiently managing the resource of water is fundamental in agriculture, it is critical that farmers preserve water, reduce consumption and limit water waste where possible. There are several ways in which this can be achieved

 

To read more and understand how visit: https://www.forigo.it/en/news/water-saving-in-agriculture-heres-how-to-limit-water-waste 

Soil Health

The state of current soil health is in serious jeopardy, however this can be easily rectified, having health soil can provide farmers with the below benefits:

  • Water benefits 
  • Nutritious food 
  • Economic security 
  • Environmental and health benefits

 

To read more visit:

https://www.farmersweekly.co.za/farming-basics/how-to-crop/soil-health-farming-with-nature-guided-by-science/ 

https://www.arc.agric.za/arc-iscw/News%20Articles%20Library/The%20benefits%20of%20healthy%20soil.pdf

Climate change

Climate change is affecting agricultural production on a global scale, as a result food security is in jeopardy due to environmental impacts such as droughts, rising temperatures and flooding. To combat the impact of climate change, localised farming is encouraged. South Africa is warming at twice the global rate, therefore a desperate need to increase localised farming is imperative to reduce the threat of food security.

 

To read more visit: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/07/01/agriculture-vs-climate-change-can-we-feed-the-world-with-a-warmer-planet https://cer.org.za/news/if-we-dont-act-now-on-climate-change-this-is-what-life-in-south-africa-will-look-like

Mixed Farming

Mixed farming is a system of farming where the farmer grows crops and also rear livestock. The benefits of mixed farming is as follows:

      • Increase in productivity 
      • Reduction in the need for Artificial Fertilizer
      • Less Likelihood of Total Crop Failure
      • Suppression of Pest
      • Soil Fertility 
      • Suppression of weed

 

To read more visit: https://bscholarly.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-mixed-farming/