Sustainability in agriculture refers to farming practices that meet current food and textile needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It involves balancing environmental health, economic profitability, and social equity.
In Kenya, sustainable agriculture is crucial for ensuring long-term food security, preserving biodiversity, and maintaining healthy ecosystems. Practices such as conserving water, reducing chemical inputs, and improving soil health are integral to this approach.
Examples:
- Implementing crop rotation, organic farming, and integrated pest management to enhance biodiversity, improve soil structure, and reduce dependency on chemical inputs.
- Adopting renewable energy sources and precision agriculture technologies to increase efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint of farming practices.
Sustainable farming practices can enhance food production, restore soil health, conserve natural resources, and build resilience to climate change. They require a holistic approach that considers the long-term impacts of agricultural decisions on the environment and society.
Related Terms: Organic farming, Conservation agriculture, Agroecology, Food security, Environmental stewardship