In recent years, changing the direction of agricultural farming to respecting nature has always been concerned and implemented. Because farming in this direction will bring many positive effects to the environment and create sustainability over time. To achieve goals and quality in farming that respects nature, growers need to well apply four basic principles, including:
1/ Diversity
Natural forests have almost no serious disease problems. The cause is due to varieties of plants, animals and microorganisms. Suppose there are about 100 varieties of trees growing on an area of natural forest, but there are very few varieties per farmland and only one cultivar in monoculture.
Diversity ensures ecological balance (stability), while monoculture is the most unstable and susceptible to phenomena such as disease outbreaks.
Therefore, increasing diversity is one of the most important aspects of agriculture that respects nature, to ensure the stability of farming. Moreover, the diversification of the farm's income sources also helps to mitigate the risk of total crop failure. Farming methods that ensure diversity include:
- Plant different varieties
- Breeding
- Rotational
- Planting perennials and grasses in the bordering area
- Conservation of animals of different species (cattle, fish, bees)
2/ Living land
Soil is not only physically supporting plants, holding water and nutrients, but is also a living organism. In farming according to agrochemical methods, people did not understand this important meaning, so the soil was degraded. That phenomenon has become very serious in farming practice.
The problem does not arise naturally but is caused by humans, because farmers have not paid enough attention to the soil. To restore the soil, we need to change the concept of the earth as a living thing, not a dead thing.
Soil is living soil that contains a multitude of microorganisms. Microbial activity is a determinant of soil health and fertility. Like living things, soil also needs to be nourished and cared for. The following conditions ensure the soil to live:
- Fertilize the soil regularly with organic fertilizers
- Mulch to prevent erosion
- Eliminate harmful factors such as chemicals used in agriculture.
3/ Re-circulation
In natural forests, there is a soil-based nutrient cycle. Everything originates from the earth and returns to the earth. Because of this rotation, everything in nature is necessary and they support each other. This circulation is the key point for the proper use of resources, but in agricultural practice, the cycle is always disordered and gives rise to problems.
In agricultural land, almost all biomass production is removed from the soil after harvesting. Almost nothing is left or returned, only some minerals are added through chemical fertilizers, so the fertility of the soil is severely reduced.
Breaking the cycle creates serious problems. One is reduced fertility due to lack of organic matter and the other is pollution due to excessive organic matter. The problems arise from a lack of understanding of nutrient cycling.
Therefore, to solve the problem, it is very important to understand the cycle and think how to re-establish the cycle in agricultural practice. Recycling creates the right relationship between farming components (crops, animals, fish, trees, timber, etc.) to benefit each component.
Recycling is the key point in rational use of available resources in the field and reducing external inputs for agricultural production.
4/ Multi-layered vegetation
The reason is that the forest's multi-layered vegetation can help maximize the use of sunlight and rainwater. The structure of farmland is often horizontal, making it impossible to make proper use of these resources.
If sunlight and rainwater are properly utilized for agricultural land, they can bring many benefits to the soil. Otherwise, they will become the main causes of drought and soil erosion.
Lots of sunshine and rain are characteristic of a tropical climate, so tropical agriculture is essential in building multi-layered soil structures. The following points ensure a multi-storey structure in a farm:
Plant a variety of perennials on the boundary area and dark - loving plants Good mix of woody (perennial) and annual plants.
