What does the cultivation of organic crops involve?
Organic farming was born from the desire to minimise the environmental impact of these practices. As such, the use of agrochemicals is reduced, even going as far as to eliminate them completely and replace them with other organic products. Likewise, tillage is also reduced. The goal, therefore, differs from that of traditional cultivation. Farmers are no longer looking to increase production without measuring the impact this may have, but rather to respect the environment.
What’s more, organic farming seeks to care for the land. After all, it is from this land that we extract all kinds of products later consumed by humans. It’s only logical, therefore, that we should prioritise its protection in order to keep it in good condition for as long as possible. No chemicals are used in organic cultivation, only organic materials. These end up making the soil much richer and more fertile. Similarly, crop rotation is carried out to avoid soil erosion.
However, many people still reject organic-cultivation methods today. For certain crops, dispensing with certain pest-control methods can mean a loss of profit. Despite this, the technique offers a wealth of benefits that make it well worth consideration.
The benefits of organic cultivation compared with traditional cultivation
As we noted earlier in this article, organic cultivation can offer us various benefits over more traditional methods. The first of these is that it favours good soil conditions. This affects both fertility and the microorganisms normally present in soil, which are beneficial to crops.
It’s worth nothing that, by avoiding the use of chemicals, you’ll also avoid any pesticide resistance. It has been proven that the overuse of these substances causes pests to become even more resistant.
By using organic material for fertilisation, farmers can also improve water infiltration and retention. As a result, roots grow better and crops are stronger. This infiltration not only helps the plants themselves, it also saves water in the long run. Avoiding water waste is a key objective for anyone seeking to protect the environment.
Finally, one of the most significant benefits offered is that this form of agriculture promotes biodiversity. Within our soil, food chains are established between all the organisms that live there. Predators wipe out the organisms that may be considered dangerous. As a result, a great equilibrium is achieved – key to life on our planet. For example, the risk of pests is reduced thanks to the presence of insects that can kill them.
The importance of fighting climate change
On top of all the benefits listed in this article, it’s important that we also set aside a little space to talk about how organic cultivation protects our planet. If applied effectively, this method can reduce the effects of global warming. This comes thanks to a reduction in carbon-dioxide, methane and nitrous-oxide emissions.
Consuming products derived from organic farming is a great way of looking after the planet and slowing the dreaded climate change. The key is to obtain a positive response from buyers, who will then start consuming products such as organic aloe vera, for example. This will make it easier for more and more companies to opt for organic production, casting aside other forms of agriculture.
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