Sustainable agriculture is the practice of producing food in ways that protect the environment, conserve resources, and support long-term economic and social well-being. It focuses on balancing productivity with ecological health, ensuring that farming can continue for future generations without degrading soil, water, or biodiversity.
What Sustainable Agriculture Means
• Definition: Farming that meets current food needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
• Core Idea: Produce abundant food while minimizing pollution, conserving water, and maintaining soil fertility.
• Goal: Achieve food security, economic growth, and environmental resilience simultaneously.
Key Practices
• Crop Rotation & Diversification: Reduces pests and improves soil health.
• Organic Farming: Avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, relying on natural inputs.
• Agroforestry: Integrates trees with crops and livestock to improve biodiversity and soil stability.
• Conservation Tillage: Minimizes soil disturbance, reducing erosion and carbon emissions.
• Water Management: Efficient irrigation systems like drip irrigation conserve water.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Combines biological, cultural, and chemical methods to control pests sustainably.
Benefits
• Environmental: Protects ecosystems, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and preserves biodiversity.
• Economic: Improves farm profitability by lowering input costs and increasing resilience to climate shocks.
• Social: Enhances rural livelihoods, strengthens food security, and supports community health.
🇰🇪 Sustainable Agriculture in Kenya
• Agriculture contributes over 25% of Kenya’s GDP and employs 70% of the workforce.
• Unsustainable practices have led to land degradation, low yields, and food insecurity.
• Sustainable methods—like organic farming, agroforestry, and climate-smart practices—are being promoted to restore soil fertility and improve resilience.
• Smallholder farmers adopting these techniques are seeing better harvests and long-term viability.
Why It Matters
Sustainable agriculture is not just about farming—it’s about ensuring food security, protecting natural resources, and supporting economic growth. In Kenya and globally, it is central to tackling challenges like climate change, population growth, and rural poverty.
- Teacher: Robert Mutai
- Teacher: Richard Yahuma