Objectives of Ecological Farming
In the name of the Green Revolution, we are gradually leading agriculture in this subcontinent to the brink of destruction, along with our entire environment and ecosystem. Therefore, we must set objectives for ecological or environmentally friendly farming and proceed accordingly. The objectives of ecological farming are:
1. To restore soil and agricultural systems to their natural state.
2. To ensure the use of modern technology that is compatible with and acceptable to natural farming systems.
3. To make farmers economically prosperous.
4. To maintain environmental balance.
5. To cultivate crops in a mixed or balanced food system.
6. To ensure the proper use of local resources.
7. To reduce dependency to zero.
8. To establish national seed banks and crop reserves.
9. To create environments that promote the production of nearly extinct indigenous varieties of crops, fish, fruits, and vegetables.
10. To transform crop fields into forests.
Principles of Environmentally Friendly Farming
All animals and plants in nature have an equal right to live, and this world is designed in such a way. Therefore, we must ensure the survival rights and environment for all living beings without destroying any single species. For example, in agriculture, we are destroying various plants labeled as weeds by spraying herbicides without knowing if they are truly weeds. Similarly, we indiscriminately kill insects with pesticides, without knowing how beneficial these insects might be to our environment. It is known that 90% of the insects on Earth are beneficial to nature and the environment. Among all insects, 83% are carnivorous, 6% are omnivorous, and 11% are herbivorous, meaning they consume plants and fruits. Although we consider this 11% harmful, they are actually food for the beneficial 83% carnivorous insects. Therefore, the following principles should be followed:
1. Ensure and sustain biodiversity for all existing organisms in the environment without destroying them.
2. Increase and maintain soil fertility by ensuring the proper use of all local plants and animals.
3. Control the presence and number of insects by ensuring habitats for all plants and animals.
4. Control companion grasses and plants through mixed cropping instead of labeling anything as weeds.
5. Preserve various local and regional seeds tolerant of the local environment and climate, establishing permanent seed banks in marginal farmers’ homes.
6. Maintain the groundwater level by cultivating crops using various cover crops and materials without unnecessary use of groundwater.
7. Select crops for cultivation by storing and using surface water and rainwater as needed. 8. Ensure the use of all local resources to provide the necessary food and supplies for the land.
