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Sustainable farming can be described as a holistic approach towards agriculture, more specifically growing crops in an eco-friendly manner which excludes the use of synthetic products such as chemical insecticides, fertilizers, and pesticides. In place, sustainable farming uses compost manure and fertilizer, practices crop rotation, does biological pest control, and ensures there is minimum tillage, all which are traditional farming practices that are known to cause less degradation to the environment.

As technology advances, traditional farming practices have been combined with modern technology to create a sustainable environment for crop growth. As such, you should not expect to practice genetic food modification, and using growth regulators in sustainable farming. As mentioned above, this holistic approach employs a holistic way of farming that does not in any way exploit any natural resources.

Sustainable farming is practiced worldwide and is regulated by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). The main aim of sustainable farming methods is to enhance the productivity of crops by avoiding the use of manufactured farming materials and in place adopting a sustainable approach towards farming that will promote a sustainable society.

Cultivation

A major aspect of sustainable agriculture is polyculture. Monoculture involves the growing of a single type of crop in a given piece of land over and over again. While the main motive behind the growing of a single crop is to reduce the costs incurred in pesticides, seeds, fertilizers and such like things, in the long run; it is bound to create problems and destabilize an otherwise sustainable society.

This is because monoculture extracts nutrients off the land hence reduce the soil fertility in the long period, and soil erosion will ensue. Additionally, pests will become immune to the regular chemicals farmers use for their control. This is therefore where polyculture comes to play where a variety of crops are grown on a single piece of land. As a result, different soil microbes will be attracted while at the same time some crops will act as pest repellants which helps in a sustainable pest control.

Fertilization

As mentioned, composts are used in sustainable farming methods to enhance the fertility of the soil by adding nutrients as in the case of using green manuring. This is the practice of planting prolific leaf growth plants such as Alfalfa, and ensuring they are buried in the soil before cultivating the main crop. These crops will augment organic matter to the soil which is vital for healthy plant growth.

Pest Control

Sustainable pest control entails undertaking different activities to control pests without using chemical insecticides and pesticides. On the other hand, a sustainable environment for crop growth can be created by growing sustainable plants known to attract beneficial insects. Beneficial insects attack harmful insects. Still on point, farmers choose disease resistant crops so that diseases can be kept at bay to avoid the use of costly pesticides.

Pest control can also be successful by growing companion crops. These crops help discourage the growth of destructive pests. Crop rotation too is helpful as it agitates the reproduction cycle of pests, thus inhibiting their continual growth.