Sustainable farming methods can help the poorest farmers in developing nations out of poverty, new research suggests, reports the World Bank press review Thursday.
The study, possibly the largest of its kind, looked at more than 280 projects in 57 of the worlds poorest countries and the findings appear in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
Scientists found that techniques such as crop rotation and organic farming increased crop yields by an average of 79 percent, without risking future harvests. The team of international scientists who carried out the four-year project found that the farmers enjoyed improved crop productivity, while reducing their use of pesticides and water.
One of the reports co-authors, Jules Pretty from the University of Essex, UK, said the findings challenged the dominate view that the West knew best when it came to agriculture.
The researchers found methods that did not have an adverse effect on local biodiversity allowed farmers to reap the rewards of growing crops in healthy soil. This approach paid dividends, he said, because it not only cut the use of pesticides but also resulted in farmers having to spend less of their income on chemicals. Healthy soil also required less water to cultivate crops.
Figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that many environmental benefits – clean air and water, stable climate – are being lost through unsustainable farming practices.
Professor Pretty hoped the data would act as a catalyst for governments and national organizations to adopt better land management.
The researchers admit that uncertainty remains as to whether these farming methods can meet the growing global demand for food. But they concluded that they were cautiously optimistic it could help the worlds poorest farmers out of poverty.
Kilde: www.worldbank.org
