Organic Farming as a Sustainable Agricultural Practice for SDG Fulfillment
Organic farming is a sustainable agricultural practice that is becoming increasingly popular for furthering the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is estimated that there are over 1.7 billion acres of organic farmland in the world, according to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements.
Advantages of Organic Farming for SDG advancement
Organic farming promotes the sustainable management of natural resources including soil, water, and biodiversity.
Benefits to People:
Organic farming has been known to enhance human health through the production of safe and healthy food, and it reduces the exposure of rural populations to dangerous synthetic chemicals.
Genetic Diversity:
Organic farming utilizes diverse crop rotations and other agroecological practices that increase genetic diversity and contributes to improved soil health and water management. This in turn provides important services for society and helps to mitigate climate change impacts.
Resilience to Climate Change:
Organic farms tend to be more resilient during times of drought, as they are better able to conserve water than conventional farms.
How to Adopt Organic Practices
There are a number of steps that can be taken to increase the organic agricultural practice footprint including:
- Invest in organic research and education to encourage the adoption of organic practices and technologies
- Promote organic certification standards
- Develop policies and incentives to support organic production
- Integrate organic farming into other sustainable development initiatives such as agroforestry and agroecology
Organic farming is a powerful tool for addressing many of the challenges that we face in our pursuit of a sustainable future. By taking steps to adopt organic practices, we can help to achieve greater SDG fulfillment.