WE HAVE LOST 80 billion tons of carbon from our soils. This lost carbon is now hovering over our atmosphere and warming the planet. That may be why it barely rained in November, and why it feels like summer in February.
But there is hope, according to some earth warriors who are now practicing regenerative farming, a system of agriculture that aims to put carbon back into the soil.
There are many systems of sustainable farming; organic, permaculture, biodynamic, and agroecology. But soil farmers claim that regenerative farming trumps them all. What is this innovative method? And is it in fact, a reapplication of the ancient wisdom that the ground beneath our feet may just save the dying earth?
THE IFOAM REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE COURSE
Along with a small group of 10, I attended the IFOAM Organics Academy internship course in Somerset, England. We were farmers, students, entrepreneurs and educators, all eager to be fed the definition of Regenerative Agriculture. However, because it was a novel, innovative, and still budding system, we had to unearth it ourselves.
HEALTHY SOIL, HEALTHY PLANTS
More than a hundred years of chemical farming have left us with depleted soils– compacted soils that can no longer capture or hold water. Farmlands are dug, tilled and plowed, removing all vegetation so another crop can be grown. What we are left with are barren lands starved of microorganisms and nutrients, and prone to wind and water erosion.
Enter Regenerative Agriculture. The practice seeks to build healthy, carbon-rich soil. It focuses on soil life and soil health. Farmers feed the soil with compost, mulch, cover crop cocktails, or green manure (legumes or some plants grown on the soil to feed soil life). Beds or plots are either not tilled or kept to a minimum. When land is not tilled, soil organisms are able to establish a healthy ecosystem. The practice has proven benefits such as increased nutrients and organic matter, soil fertility, fewer diseases, less erosion, more moisture, and better soil aggregation. The carbon-rich humus also keeps excess carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Esta historia es de la edición May 2019 de Agriculture.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 2019 de Agriculture.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED PROMPTED A COUPLE TO BUY A LOT AND START THEIR OWN FILIPINO DREAM OF FARMING
ED AND CECILE GABATAN have been working in the corporate world for years. Like many other Fllipinos who have spent their work days dealing with paperwork and facing a computer, they too, dream of retiring on a farm someday where they can enjoy the fresh breeze and grow their own food.
URBAN GARDENER GROWS FOOD IN PLASTIC DRUMS AMID THE QUARANTINE FOR THEIR FAMILY'S FOOD SECURITY
IN QUEZON CITY, Daisy Cu, 46, began growing vegetables in their residence as an attempt at food security and self-sufficiency. Cu has been tending ornamental plants and fruit-bearing trees for years now. Her free time during the quarantine allowed her not only to focus on cultivating her existing plants, but also to produce vegetables at home using plastic drums. Cu's goal to provide food for their family is what urged her to establish a decorative, yet an edible garden incorporating ornamental and food crops. "With the use of the blue drums, I was able to achieve my intention of creating an edible but decorative garden plus I was able to repurpose the drums as well,” Cu explained.
YOUNG SEAFARER GROWS GRAPES TO GET BACK ON HIS FEET
BEING A SEAFARER is one of the most arduous jobs that one can engage in. Not only does it require a good amount of physical strength and endurance, but it also calls for a sound mental and emotional capacity. These qualities help them survive for months on end at sea, far from their family and the usual comforts they are accustomed to.
SOFTWARE ENGINEERS ESTABLISH FARM TO EARN PROFIT AND FOSTER FOOD SECURITY
PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE has had its highs and lows over the years. Some examples of its low points include oversupply in farmers' crops, and land grabbing. Meanwhile, it has also seen some success through the rise of farm tourism destinations, the establishment of farm to market roads, and programs aimed to help out the Filipino farmer.
SENIOR CITIZEN'S QUEZON FARM IS THE PRODUCT OF HARD WORK
ROMULO B. AYAG , or Ka Mulong as he is fondly called, owner of Ka Mulong’s Farm, had to go through a tough life to obtain the hard-earned achievements that he and his family now savor.
RETIRED CORPORATE EMPLOYEE IS NOW A FULL-TIME FARMER
A LOT OF PEOPLE become farmers in retirement. One of them is Thelma Murillo, a retiree who is now a full-time farmer after working in the corporate world for more than 30 years.
MANILENO FAMILY WHO MOVED TO ALBAY FINDS SUCCESS IN FARMING AND EARNS OVER P60,000 A MONTH
LIVING IN THE CITY means convenience and other benefits, but it also entails bearing with traffic, noise, and pollution. For this reason, others may find urban life exhausting, making them yearn for a peaceful and healthy environment.
REMOTE FOREST FARM IN RIZAL BOASTS AN ALL-NATURAL FARM EXPERIENCE
IN HINDUISM, Vaikuntha is the name of the celestial abode of Vishnu, one of the three main gods of the religion who is responsible for protecting and maintaining life on earth.
FORMER OFW RUNS INTEGRATED NATURAL FARM IN ORIENTAL MINDORO, DONATES FARM PRODUCTS AMID PANDEMIC
LOVE AND PASSION are the two things that spurred Ramona M. Pastor, owner of HN Organic Farm, to fully devote her time to farming after working in various fields abroad for over 10 years.
FARMERS' DAUGHTER DEVELOPS A FARM RESORT THAT EARNS PROFIT AND PRESERVES THE ENVIRONMENT
PEOPLE sometimes have the false notion that farmers would not wish for their children to follow in their footsteps, or that the youth have no interest in farming like their ancestors.
