Sustainable Agricultural Trends and Practices that are Shaping the Agro Industry in 2023

We, as a community, are faced with the dire need to move towards a greener future, which is impossible without acknowledging agriculture industry sustainability. As sustainability becomes a pressing issue in 2023, sustainable agriculture trends and green farming techniques are shaping the modern agro-industry. Some of these sustainable agriculture trends and eco-friendly farming practices have been discussed below:

1. Agroforestry:

Advancements in agroecology has established agroforestry as one of the most unique sustainable agriculture trends in 2023. In agroforestry, crops, trees, and shrubs are intentionally intermingled and grown. There are three basic types of agroforestry – namely, forest farming where crops are grown below the canopy of existing trees and forests; Alley cropping where crops are grown between rows of shrubs and trees; and Silvopasture where livestock are left to forage within the agro-forest. Agroforestry does not only filter runoff but also aids biodiversity.

2. Hydroponics:

Hydroponics or vertical farming is a fast-emerging trend in urban farming because in this technique we eliminate the need of soil altogether. In hydroponic farming crops and plants are grown in water instead of soil and are stacked vertically in trays or towers and kept in a controlled environment. Crops grown through hydroponic farming and even aeroponics require less water than traditional crops and can be grown using recycled water. Moreover, hydroponics culture leads to substantial biomass and protein production.

3. Crop Rotation:

Crop rotation is one of the more traditional trends in agricultural production and productivity but is still significant for modern sustainability. When farmers grow the same crops year after year, it depletes their fields of essential nutrients. In crop rotation, different crops are grown in the farmland during different seasons, to cautiously balance the nutrients they add or deplete from the soil. This practice is instrumental in improving and maintaining soil health.

4. Cover Crops:

One of the most common sustainable agriculture trends is the planting of cover crops such as legumes, cereals, and broadleaves to protect soil integrity and improve water availability. They amp up soil health by binding nutrients to it and safeguard soil from surface erosion and runoff. These crops minimize the nuisance of pests and crop diseases but attract pollinators, thus promoting biodiversity.

Sustainable agriculture trends and practices are steadily gaining ground, especially as we become more responsible and aware of our planet and her wellbeing. 

Graphic Attribute: Image by jcomp on Freepik