The ecological footprint of agriculture
The ecological footprint of agriculture is an important issue. And fortunately, there is growing awareness of the need to conserve biodiversity in farming areas, thereby minimizing the impact agriculture has on the environment.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been mandated by the Convention on Biological Diversity to integrate biodiversity use and conservation criteria into production systems. This means that agricultural systems must be analyzed comprehensively, taking into account soil, water, living organisms, biological corridors, and pollinators—all essential for achieving efficient production systems that promote community well-being.
The way agricultural land is used is undoubtedly important, both for the sustainability of food production and for its contribution to biodiversity conservation. In fact, there are biodiversity-friendly farming techniques. For example, minimizing soil disturbance during cultivation benefits soil structure and health while preserving organisms that support crops.
Fortunately, in the past decade, soil biodiversity has begun to gain more importance, and efforts are being made to study and understand its health. As we always say at MAFA, everything starts with agricultural soil. And healthy soil not only contributes to sustainable and respectful farming but is also a guarantee that we are taking care of the planet and committing to global food security.
And what do we mean by biodiversity?
Biodiversity encompasses all forms of life, from the smallest and simplest organisms to the largest and most complex, creating a chain of relationships and dependencies between them and the environment.
It is biodiversity that allows life to develop, evolve, and exist, creating relationships between the forms of life in the natural environment and maintaining ecological balance.
Why is it so important to practice agriculture that conserves biodiversity?
🌿 Soil is being lost at a rate 13 to 18 times faster than it is being formed.
According to the latest data from the FAO, soil is being lost at a rate 13 to 18 times faster than it is being formed. This loss includes millions of living beings that inhabit these ecosystems. That’s why conserving biodiversity is crucial, as continuing to lose healthy soil not only jeopardizes the planet’s environment but also the sustainability of our surroundings, and ultimately, the future of food production.
That’s why it is urgent to have more research and knowledge about how crops interact with soil biodiversity. In this way, we can learn more about the characteristics and structure of the networks of organisms that are part of it, in order to achieve resilience in agricultural fields that ensures the long-term stability of the system. In other words, to achieve truly sustainable agriculture.
🌱 Maintaining biodiversity is essential for food production.
At the same time, agriculture that does not respect the environment and the richness of the surrounding ecosystems will eventually become extinct and unproductive, while agriculture that contributes to the conservation of that local flora and fauna will have a future and achieve performance.
Soil organisms play a key role in:
- nutrient recycling
- the regulation of carbon capture and greenhouse gas emissions
- the modification of soil structure and water flow
- and the maintenance of plant health
Maintaining the diversity of these organisms is crucial for food production. That’s why at MAFA, we prioritize microbiology, as it provides solutions that not only respect this biodiversity but also use it to benefit crops and their productivity in an eco-friendly way.
🐞 Because there is no sustainable agriculture without the protection of biodiversity.
Carrying out sustainable agricultural practices is a way to balance food production with the preservation of the environment and biodiversity. The loss of biodiversity is behind many of the problems affecting traditional agricultural systems, such as drought, pests and diseases, soil salinization, and depletion, among others.
Conservation agriculture, for example, preserves soil biodiversity, water, and wildlife. Furthermore, the integration of crops, livestock, and forestry is an effective way to preserve biodiversity and increase food production.
At the same time, the use of biological solutions, like those researched and developed by MAFA, ensures that crops not only have no negative impact on biodiversity but also use its resources in a symbiotic relationship that fosters a biologically active and beneficial environment for both parties.
We talk to you about biosolutions for crops here.
