By Germinar NGO (@germinarong)*
The agroecology It is the science that studies agriculture from the application of ecological concepts and principles. Its set of practices seeks to achieve crop productivity and the conservation of natural resources under sustainability parameters.
Benefits of agroecology in the garden
1. It is natural, because it imitates the processes that occur in nature, it respects its cycles and all the life it produces.
2. It is economical, because it points towards self-sufficiency, values the use of locally available elements and produces the necessary inputs within the garden itself.
3. Produce healthy food, free of toxic products that would put our health at risk.
4. Allows for an annual harvest. If well planned, it ensures the supply of a wide variety of vegetables for the whole family.
Agroecology treats the productive space as an agro-ecosystem made up of organisms that interact with each other and with their physical environment. In other words, he thinks of the cultivation space as a living place that has value as an end in itself. Much of our work consists of managing this complex and dynamic web of interactions for the benefit of plants.
Some principles that guide the management and exploration of Agroecology
– Collective creation: Agroecology is a scientific discipline and a social movement that links knowledge and combines global scientific data with traditional, indigenous, practical and local knowledge of producers.
– Regeneration: By mimicking natural ecosystems, agroecological practices support the biological processes that drive the recycling of nutrients, biomass, and water within production systems. It is key to achieving self-sufficient and self-regulating systems.
– Diversity: Through the use of diversified agricultural production systems, such as the incorporation of trees in agricultural systems or the diversity of crops in the same space, agroecology contributes to a wide range of productive, socioeconomic, nutritional and environmental benefits.
– Efficiency: By using inputs more efficiently for agriculture (such as seeds, soil, energy, nutrients), it uses fewer external resources, which reduces negative environmental impacts. This helps conserve valuable resources like water, protect biodiversity and even lower production costs.
– Resilience: Agroecology is, at the same time, the theory and practice on how to manage and promote nature’s own ecological processes to improve productivity and avoid evils such as pests, diseases or degradation. Through diversification, growers reduce their vulnerability in the event that an individual crop or product fails.
– Synergies: When designing an agricultural system, all aspects such as crops, animals, trees, soils, and even community involvement must be taken into consideration. Creating synergies between the elements of a system helps them function better, leading to higher soil fertility, natural regulation of pests, and increased agricultural productivity.
– circular economy: local solutions are the basis of agroecology. This includes supporting local markets and economies that provide fair and sustainable livelihoods for members of your community.
Agroecology seeks to ensure that our food systems – the way food is grown, sold, traded, traded and consumed – are fairer and more sustainable in the future.
* Germinar ONG is a Civil Society Organization with the main objective of raising awareness about the importance of caring for the environment and preserving biodiversity.