Understanding the Key Differences Between Industrial and Sustainable Farming
What is Industrial Farming?
Industrial farming is the production of crops and animal stock on a large scale, operated in an intensive way. This system uses chemical pesticides, artificial fertilizers, antibiotics and genetically modified organisms to increase yield, which is its main purpose.
Industrial farming is often controlled by large corporations whose driving force is ever higher yields and increasing profits. The methods and techniques used were originally developed during the industrial revolution to make working the land easier and to increase the amount of food produced. However, today it is as concerned with profit margins as much as it is about feeding people.
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The History of Industrial Agriculture and the Green Revolution
After the Second World War, creating a more industrial way of farming was hailed as the way forward. New processes would increase the amount of food produced and make life easier and safer for the hard working farmer while ramping up production.
Technology that had been developed in wartime was put to use to mechanize agriculture. Industrializing food production to increase the efficiency of farms and feed everyone was an attractive idea and so, modern farming was born.
Small and medium family farms gradually ceased to operate or were swallowed up by corporations with whom they were unable to complete. Today a very small proportion of farms control the majority of farmland in North America.
The Green Revolution, also known as the Third Agricultural revolution, was an initiative in the mid twentieth century to increase the production of grains, particularly wheat and rice. It was helped by the introduction of high-yielding varieties of grains, again designed to increase the amount of food that could be grown.
However, these varieties needed substantial amounts of artificial fertilizer and pesticides to produce these increased yields. The long term effects were not considered.
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Environmental and Economic Impacts of Industrial Farming
The environmental consequences of large amounts of chemicals being used in industrial agriculture is typically found in the contamination of the soil, air and water. Runoff into waterways from crop spraying, antibiotic fed livestock manure and emissions from fossil fuel driven machinery affects the environment and human health.
Economically, small and medium sized farms were either absorbed by larger entities or forced out by low produce prices and overwhelming competition from corporatized farms. Rural decline is a direct result of industrial farming, whole communities have been severely reduced in size or eliminated as a result.
What is Sustainable Farming?
Sustainable farming uses naturally produced fertilizers such as treated manure, integrated pest management systems instead of pesticides and nurtures the health of the soil rather than artificially augmenting it.
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The Principles of Sustainable Agriculture
To better understand sustainable agriculture, its three main principles are:
- Environmental sustainability
- Economic sustainability
- Social sustainability
Sustainability is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs. In other words, not ruining the planet for our children and grandchildren just so we can have cheap produce today.
As you would expect, environmental sustainability is concerned with working with nature to protect and preserve our natural resources. Economic sustainability is making sure farms of all sizes can remain profitable and viable. Social sustainability means supporting communities, growing healthy food and providing jobs.
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Benefits to Soil Health, Water Resources, and Local Communities
Healthy soil is the literal basis for sustainable farming. There are many sustainable practices which contribute to better soil quality including:
- Crop rotation
- Cover crops
- Reduced tillage
- Crop selection
- Pest management
Conserving and managing water on sustainable farms is central to their agricultural practices. This includes:
- More efficient use of water resources
- Reducing runoff into nearby waterways
- Improving soil moisture retention
- Becoming more resilient to the effects of climate change
Local communities benefit from sustainable agriculture practices through:
- Reduced air, water and soil pollution
- Access to health foods free from chemicals
- Job creation
The Future of Farming: Moving Towards Sustainability
The future of farming is moving towards more sustainability but there is still much that can be done.
As shoppers explore organic fruits and vegetables over their industrial grown counterparts, human health and
the environment can both benefit.
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How Sustainable Agriculture Supports Human and Environmental Health
The benefits to human health from sustainable agriculture are:
- Food free of chemicals, antibiotics or GMO
- Reduced pollution
- Water conservation
- Less greenhouse gas emissions
The health of the environment is extremely important and sustainable farming focuses on preserving and protecting our natural resources. There are many benefits including:
- Increased biodiversity
- Soil health and fertility
- Carbon sequestration
- Cleaner water
- Resource conservation
- Lower air pollution
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Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Food Systems
The carbon footprint of food systems is the amount of greenhouse gases produced by food production, processing, distribution and consumption. Reducing these emissions can be done through adopting sustainable farming practices, reducing food waste, improving energy efficiency and encouraging local food production and consumption.
Key Differences Between Industrial and Sustainable Farming
To appreciate the differences between industrial and sustainable farming, let’s compare some key factors.
Use of Chemical Pesticides vs. Natural Pest Management
Industrial agriculture uses chemicals in an attempt to eliminate or control pests such as insects, weeds and diseases which attack crops. This is done by spraying which invariably spreads into the air, water supply, soil and even neighbouring farms which may not wish to use such chemicals.
Sustainable agriculture however, uses an integrated pest management system. This means using biological, cultural, physical and, as a last resort, approved chemical controls. Strategies include using natural predators, crop rotation to interrupt pest life cycles and traps or other physical barriers to pests.
Monoculture vs. Crop Rotation and Cover Crops
Monoculture is the practice of growing a single type of crop on the same piece of land over and over again. This effectively depletes the soil of its nutrients which need to be supplemented regularly with artificial fertilizers.
Crop rotation means planting different crops in a specific area over sequential seasons. The diversity of crops ensures that the soil is not depleted of a particular nutrient and, in return, receives nutrition from various plants.
Cover crops including rye and clover are planted to protect the soil when the ground is not being used for a cash crop. This practice helps prevent soil erosion, controls weeds and retains moisture in the soil.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Resource Consumption
Industrial agriculture is one of the top producers of greenhouse gas emissions. Crop and livestock production, as well as the use of fossil fuels and fertilizer production are the major contributors to this type of pollution in conventional farming.
In contrast, sustainable farming seeks to conserve and protect our natural resources, understanding that these are finite if we don’t use them with respect.
Without good soil health and sufficient water, crops will not grow so it is common sense to nurture and preserve both. Air quality is essential to plant, animal and human life so must be protected in the interests of everyone.
Why Retailers Should Consider Sustainable Farming
The processes of industrial farming impact every link in the supply chain. Retailers can consider these impacts and decide if they wish to remain in that system or move to engage with more sustainable production.
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The Impact on Food Quality, Supply Chain, and Consumer Preferences
When considering this shift, retailers can inform themselves about the higher quality of food produced by sustainable farming, the more environmentally friendy supply chain and growing consumer preferences for these food production practices.
Organic produce is increasingly sought by consumers as a safer and healthier alternative to industrially grown fruits and vegetables.
Long-term Benefits for Retailers and Local Ecosystems
Growing consumer demand for produce which is sustainably produced gives retailers a ready market which is growing all the time. Making this type of food available to shoppers can build your customer base and expand your reputation as a retailer who cares for the environment.
As a benefit of sustainable agriculture, local ecosystems are protected and biodiversity thrives compared to more conventional produce farming methods which rely so heavily on chemicals.