Transcript Sustainable Agriculture Notes File

The goal of modern agriculture is to produce
crops and food products that are safe to eat,
while minimizing ecological impacts.
It is also important to produce affordable foods,
and create products consumers are willing to buy.
Sustainable agriculture must:
• feed the world’s hungry today
• feed the world’s hungry tomorrow
• prevent deterioration of the soil and water
Truly sustainable farming systems are very
difficult to accomplish.
Farmers must choose individually
for themselves what methods
are best for their own situation.
Farmers must also worry about maintaining soil
fertility, stopping soil erosion, protecting their
crops from pests, and using adequate amounts of
water.
Perhaps, most importantly from and economics
standpoint, every farmer must worry about
making a livable wage.
Pesticides scare many people.
10% of the pesticides on the market today are
suspected or known carcinogens, teratogens,
and mutagens.
• cause cancer
• cause birth defects
• cause chromosomal mutations
Used to control competitive weeds. Other practices
Herbicides fight weeds mechanically, but they tend to promote
soil erosion, so herbicides are used alternatively.
Used to kill fungal diseases. Fungicides are
Fungicides generally quite expensive to apply, and are most
commonly used on fruit crops, and perennial
plants.
Fungicides are by far the most expensive pesticide
to apply.
Used to control insects. The documented use of
chemicals to combat insects goes back about
Insecticides 3,000 years, when Homer used sulfur to divert
pests. Insecticides today are easy to apply, and
cost effective. Using them creates a more visually
appealing crop. Often the best looking crop is the
one protected with insecticides.
• there has been a 50% decline in sperm production in men living
in developed countries. Some extremist studies report that as
many as 23% of young American men are functionally sterile.
• Traces of dioxin have been found in women’s breast milk
worldwide. It is one of the most toxic chemicals ever known.
• Since 1973, childhood brain cancers and leukemias have
increased by 300%. Cancer is now the largest killer of children
under the age of 14.
• Pesticide use tripled between 1965 and 1985
• The government tests only 1% of our food for pesticide residue
• Many banks and insurance companies require farmers to use
pesticides in order to obtain loans
• Even though we ban many pesticides, because of NAFTA
contaminated produce find their way back into American
supermarkets.
(Using pesticides)
Predatory insects
Ladybugs, or ladybird beetles are among the most visible and best
known beneficial predatory insects.
Most ladybugs are helpful
as both adults and
larvae, feeding primarily
on aphids. They also
feed on mites, small
insects, and insect eggs.
Tomato worm
Parasitic wasps parasitize
tomato worm eggs, and
larvae. Birds may feed on
larvae. Moles destroy the
pupae.
Crop Rotation
Can also reduce the need for pesticide application. If a farmer
rotates the crop she plants every year, then she keeps the bugs
guessing. Different crops have different nutritional needs, and
take different things from the soil. Rotating them preserves soil
fertility.
Year One: Root Crops
Year Two: Sweet corn and squash
Year Three: Tomatoes and
peppers
Year Four: Peas and beans
Interestingly, the EPA which is supposed to
regulate and approve new pesticides, may
actually be helping to slow down the introduction
of newer safer pesticides. Even with EPA guidelines...
Approximately 75% of all produce tested positive for various
pesticide residues. Over 19% of commercial lettuce from major
grocery store chains contained the pesticide DDT, although this
chemical has been banned in the USA for almost 30 years now.
Liberal pesticide use can promote the “evolution”
of pesticide-resistant pests, just as infectious
bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
Organic farming produces food that is raised
without chemicals and processed without
additives.
Advocates say that it is more nutritious, and safer to eat,
and usually tastes better too.
Organic gardeners use short-lived, biodegradable pestkillers, and use manure for fertilizer.
The use of FYM as fertilizer, gives rise to
concerns about the possible contamination
of agricultural produce with pathogens
(especially E. coli)
A 12 year study revealed that farmers who used
organic techniques with FYM instead of chemicals
incurred a 24% lower crop yield, but their
produce was 28% higher in nutrients!
Organic food can never be defined as pesticide-free, but
legislation does require that organic farm land must be free from
chemical inputs for three years prior to organic production.
Organic foods are now
available in most food outlets,
but is usually more expensive
because the techniques used
require more manual labor.
Demand for organic products around the world is
at an all-time high. Most of these are grains and
beans, but there is a growing demand for fresh
fruits, frozen vegetables, nuts, wine, juice, and
even meat.
Write a reflection on what type of food you will
provide your family with, and why.