Why is a diversified farm better for the ecosystem?
Diversification practices generally maintained at the same level or even increased crop yields. The enhanced biodiversity created by diversification practices improved pollination and pest regulation by natural enemies. It also improved water regulation and enhanced soil fertility.
What made farming more efficient?
One of the greatest innovations in farming technology is the use of precision agriculture equipment. From autopilot features to variable-rate controllers, precision equipment helps farmers get the most from inputs and labor to improve efficiency, minimize surplus and maximize yield.
What is resilience in agriculture?
Resilience, as defined by scientists who study complex systems (like agriculture) means the ability of a system to withstand shock and continue to develop. In a diverse system, if one part of the system goes down, the other parts can compensate.
What made diversified farming possible?
Diversified farming systems are a set of methods and tools developed to produce food sustainably by leveraging ecological diversity at plot, field, and landscape scales. Around the field, hedgerows or live fences provide habitat for beneficial insects that control pests and provide pollination.
What are the objectives of farming system?
To maintain sustainable production system without damaging resources/environment. achieve agro-ecological equilibrium through the reduction in the build-up of pests and diseases, through natural cropping system management and the reduction in the use of chemicals (in-organic fertilizers and pesticides).
What is the most resilient crop?
Okra, mushrooms, sweet potatoes and pomegranates are all resilient choices in many regions. So, too are edible “weeds,” such as dandelion and burdock, which are hardy enough to survive our efforts to eliminate them.
How can we improve agricultural resilience?
Conservation practices like reduced tillage, cover crops, rotation, and efficient application of inputs improve soil health to improve yields over the long term. Small changes to the crop insurance program can lower financial risk.
What is the principle of farming system?
Farming systems for sustainable crop production intensification will be built on the three core technical principles outlined in this chapter, and implemented using the seven recommended management practices: minimum soil disturbance, permanent organic soil cover, species diversification, use of high-yielding adapted …
How does crop diversification improve agricultural resilience?
Crop diversification can improve resilience in a variety of ways: by engendering a greater ability to suppress pest outbreaks and dampen pathogen transmission, which may worsen under future climate scenarios, as well as by buffering crop production from the effects of greater climate variability and extreme events.
Which is an example of diversification in agriculture?
Examples of diversification in agricultural systems and the potential benefits for farmers under climate change. Because of the impacts that climate change may have on agricultural production, the need to consider diversified agricultural systems is ever more pressing.
Why is the development of resilient agricultural systems important?
The development of resilient agricultural systems is an essential topic of study because many communities greatly depend on the provisioning ecosystem services of such systems (food, fodder, fuel) for their livelihoods ( Altieri 1999 ).
Why are monocultures more productive than Diversified Systems?
Economic incentives encouraging production of a select few crops, the push for biotechnology strategies, and the belief that monocultures are more productive than diversified systems have been hindrances in promoting this strategy.
What are the advantages of a diversified farming system?
Better use of land, labour and capital: Better area land through adoption of crop rotations, steady employment of farm and family labour and more profitable use of equipment are obtained in diversified farming. 2. The farmer and labour engaged all the year round in different activities. 3. Less risk to crop failure and market price of the product.
Crop diversification can improve resilience in a variety of ways: by engendering a greater ability to suppress pest outbreaks and dampen pathogen transmission, which may worsen under future climate scenarios, as well as by buffering crop production from the effects of greater climate variability and extreme events.
The development of resilient agricultural systems is an essential topic of study because many communities greatly depend on the provisioning ecosystem services of such systems (food, fodder, fuel) for their livelihoods ( Altieri 1999 ).
Economic incentives encouraging production of a select few crops, the push for biotechnology strategies, and the belief that monocultures are more productive than diversified systems have been hindrances in promoting this strategy.
