Over a third of the world's land is used for agriculture. This shows why agriculture is an enormously effective lever for climate and soil protection, biodiversity and the preservation of rainforests. It is therefore becoming increasingly important to look beyond our own backyard and into the future of food production. We present some of the pieces of this future puzzle.
Organic farming
Organic farming has fed mankind for many thousands of years. Modern organic farming refers to a way of farming that produces food in an environmentally friendly way, without the use of pesticides, genetically modified plants or animals and artificial fertilizers. The species-appropriate keeping of farm animals is also usually part of the organic concept.
Organic farms come in different varieties and sizes: from large-scale to small-structured fields, from a lot of manual labor to a lot of machine use.
One variant that is becoming increasingly important, especially in vegetable cultivation, is bio-intensive cultivation. Here, different types of vegetables are combined in - usually densely planted - mixed crops, with particular attention paid to building up humus and a fertile, loose soil. This method of cultivation often deliberately avoids plowing ('no-dig cultivation'). With this method, even relatively small areas achieve high fruit and vegetable yields.
The often-used pseudo-argument that a growing world population cannot be fed organically is not true.
cannot stand up to closer scrutiny . If we take all the current crises in our world into account - soil, climate, water, insects, but also social crises etc. - a diverse and soil-conserving organic agriculture clearly emerges as an important contribution to solving these crises.
Regenerative agriculture
Regenerative agriculture pays particular attention to keeping soils permanently fertile without being dependent on purchased fertilizers. Nutrients are kept in cycles within the farm and regenerated (e.g. by plants binding carbon and nitrogen in the soil).
Above all, regenerative agriculture strengthens soil life. Humus is built up, which produces healthy soil and robust plants. These can also withstand increasing climate impacts such as drought, storms and hail.
Green manuring, permanent covering of the soil, close observation of soil life, plant and root growth, etc. are all part of this approach. In regenerative agriculture, arable farming and livestock farming are often combined.
Climate-neutral agriculture
Climate-neutral agriculture attempts to fully offset greenhouse gas emissions, e.g. from animal husbandry or production processes, through other agricultural practices such as humus cultivation or ecological compensation areas.
Humus-rich areas, wetlands and peatlands (which can be cultivated or regenerated using paludiculture, for example) are considered important carbon sinks in agricultural systems. The use of biochar (black earth / terra preta) is also seen as having potential in the future in terms of climate protection.
Agro-forestry systems
Agroforestry systems like the mix: trees are combined with annual crops, such as cereals or vegetables, or livestock on one and the same agricultural area. This combination leads to a variety of positive interactions, from which the water and nutrient cycle in particular, but also insects and other animals, benefit through a better range of habitats.
In hot periods, there is also much less heat stress for plants and animals, as trees shade the ground and their evaporation has a cooling effect.
Due to the deep rooting of the trees, agroforestry areas can also store a lot of rainwater and bring nutrients into higher soil layers. The soil is permanently covered and protected from the wind by the trees, which prevents soil erosion.
Permaculture
Permaculture is about 'sustainable culture'. Survival is already in the name. The term and the central principle: "Take care of the earth, take care of the people, share the surplus" was coined by Bill Mollison and David Holmgreen in the late 1970s.
Permaculture means designing and cultivating land according to certain principles, often derived from nature. Livestock - as well as wild animals - can be part of permaculturally designed areas. Biodiversity, wilderness zones, mixed cultivation, the efficient use of water and energy, the principle of short distances, solidarity and cooperation all play important roles. Permaculture does not end with food, but applies to the entire way of life (e.g. energy, mobility, clothing, etc.).
Syntropic agriculture
Syntropic agriculture (according to Ernst Götsch) also takes nature as its model. The aim is to regenerate degraded soils even faster through human care of syntropic agricultural ecosystems than would be possible through purely natural processes.
Soil health, microclimate and water cycles therefore receive special attention. Which is why trees and shrubs are also part of the system. They are pruned regularly. The pruned material is used as mulch to build up the soil.
