Studies suggest that by 2050, the world’s human population will reach 10 million, with increased food and health issues. The environment, social fairness, and economic vitality will foster resilience, diversity, health, and prospering means among future generations. So our actions today affect future life. Therefore, experts recommend switching from conventional to organic farming as one of the critical strategies for a sustainable future.
What do we know about Organic farming?
As early as the 1920s, people practiced natural pest control and fed the soil through traditional farming practices that conserved and regenerated the land. Nonetheless, after world war two, WWII, Paul Miller introduced DDT, which effectively killed pests. Since then, more new chemicals have been introduced into farming which, undoubtedly, have significantly impacted production in the sector. However, these substances have caused significant negative implications on social equity and are retarding economic vitality.
Organic farming finds support from FAO, IFOAM, and other international corporate bodies to sustain the health of soils, ecosystems, and people. When put in place, it is a practice that will provide healthy food, from a healthy environment, for healthy people for millions of years. Therefore, it is a practice that is worth adopting today for the future.
How will organic farming induce environmental health?
Organic farming does not tolerate the usage of certain chemicals (mainly synthetic) that destroy the ecology of the land. The land is an entity teeming with many lives, including those of invisible and yet-to-be-discovered beneficial microbes. When applied in conventional farming, most of these chemicals disrupt microbial activities, stain the groundwater, release a lot of carbon and other treacherous gases into the atmosphere, and in the long run, contribute to global warming and floral and faunal health implications.
Suppose we can do away with the chemicals and adopt practices such as mulching, agroforestry, crop rotation, pests, disease prevention rather than treatment, cover cropping, and syntrophic agriculture, among other organic farming practices. Hence, the environment will stabilize, interdependence will increase, and the atmosphere will become devoid of hazardous components. Overall, after a decade or so, the environment will regain stamina and health, as observed before the 1920s.
How will organic farming create social equity?
Today, there is evident disproportionality in agricultural products ranging from the inter-community level to the inter-continental level. The latter has significantly impacted an overdependence on specific agriculturally thriving communities. Once the environment gains stability from organic farming, even the Disproportionately Impacted Areas will produce to a level nearing the favored areas. The latter will bridge the disproportionality gap and contribute to social equity.
How will organic farming contribute to economic vitality?
Due to the distorted environmental health and rising social injustice caused by traditional farming, it is possible that by 2050 agriculture will contribute only a minimal amount to global GDP. However, agriculture is a significant contributor to the Kenyan GDP. Thus, organic farming promotes economic stability by creating jobs, earning forex, ensuring food security, and healthier citizens.
