Without the conservation of natural resources, it is not possible to sustain the future for the upcoming generation. Most of the things in daily life we use contain a major portion of natural resources.
Out dependency on natural resources is increased with time. Currently, we can't live without the use of natural resources. Day by day, these natural resources are extinction because of overuse. Hence, the conservation of natural resources is very important, and this is practiced with sustainable farming implementations.
5 methods of sustainable agriculture practices in USA
Although there are many methods of sustainable agriculture we will discuss here the popular 5 methods.
There are some other complementary methods of sustainable farming but they are not used in general conservation of natural resources.
Following are some of the major sustainable farming practices we can implement to conserve and improve availability of natural resources-
1. Permaculture
Permaculture is the most authentic sustainable farming practice. In permaculture, we use natural resources and use them according to our needs without adding anything from our side. Permaculture is organic and has multiple other sustainable farming methods.
For example, on a 20x30 square meter land, we can practice, animal farming, agroforestry, and crop rotation at the same time. Animal grazing is so effective if we use the shifting formula. We can use animal dung to make organic compost.
Agroforestry and crop rotation increase the natural soil fertility and produce highly productive and sustainable results.
2. Crop rotation
Crop rotation is one of the most important sustainable and soil regenerative methods. In the crop rotation method, we need to study first the season and requirements of components in soil. Then we make a list of season-wise complementary crops before sowing them randomly.
For example, we take crop A(which needs more nitrogen, less potassium, and iron) in season X. Till the harvesting, it reduces the percentage of nitrogen in the soil. In the next season, we use crop B(which needs less nitrogen and high potassium and iron). Till harvesting, it reduces the percentage of potassium and iron. So, automatically, nitrogen percentage increases in the soil. So we can try the first crop A again in the soil.
Thus, we can use more than 3 complementary crops of the different seasons in the crop rotation method.
3. Rainwater harvesting system
Rainwater harvesting can fulfill 80% of the daily requirement of water. Even the rooftop rainwater harvesting system can implement in most houses to conserve water for multiple uses.
We can transfer rainwater directly into the ground. It helps to increase the overall groundwater percentage in those areas where people are facing water-related issues.
4. Agroforestry
Agroforestry is different from crop rotation and integrated farming systems. Practically, our purpose to practice agroforestry is reforestation and soil erosion prevention.
In agroforestry, we practice agriculture and forestry together. We practice tree farming, plant farming, and planting vines together. In the gap between trees, we can practice plant farming, and just below trees, we can grow various vegetable vines plants by providing them tree support.
With this technique, plants and trees hold the soil tightly and prevent the chances of soil erosion.
It also increases soil fertility and keeps the moisture in the soil. Natural mulching helps to cover the soil and keep the moisture in the soil. Later, this mulching layer gets to mix with the soil and work as a natural fertilizer. It is highly productive too. We can produce multiple food crops and vegetables from this technique.
Hence, agroforestry is highly sustainable and very important for future agriculture.
5. Hydroponic farming
In the future, soil-less agriculture will skip soil agriculture. Mostly, in desert regions or less fertile soil regions, hydroponic farming is so effective and profitable as well.
This soil-less agriculture performs more effectively and precisely. In a hydroponic farm, we use containers filled with a water solution that contains all the required elements that plant need. We use an oxygen pump to keep the water solution to make water fresh.
We can practice hydroponic farming just in a small room like mushroom farming. It can produce 5 to 6 times more than ordinary crops on the same measured land.
Although hydroponic farming is highly sustainable it cost too much. It is not easy for everyone to practice hydroponic farming. It asks for regular checkups, unlike any other seasonal crop.
Hydroponic farming will not be sustainable if you threw its wasted solution outside in the ordinary soil. It can decrease soil fertility.
Conclusion
Although the above sustainable practices are a good many people feel happy as readers, and they hesitate to implement the methods. We suggest you try at least one model at your home.
Sustainable farming should be practiced at least in 1/5th area of the agricultural land. Practically, shifting from traditional farming to sustainable farming is not so easy but still, we have to shift our agriculture to sustainable farming.