Great Agro-Ideas for Carbon Reduction

By Chung Hyunhwa

Agriculture is a significant source of greenhouse gases, largely due to the increased energy required for modern farming. This energy is used to create optimal conditions for crops, even when they’re out of season, to fetch higher prices. This means that farmers control conditions such as temperature and humidity at the expense of energy. I call this “agriculture for desires.” Two decades ago, who would have thought of having watermelons and strawberries in December? (Do we really need to eat watermelon in the winter?) I decided to search for some sustainable, energy-efficient agricultural practices that also cut costs.

One great sustainability example is BIGH in Brussels. BIGH (Building Integrated Greenhouses) is a pioneering urban farming project that combines aquaponics with hydroponics to grow fresh produce in the heart of the city. Located on the rooftop of the Foodmet market in Anderlecht, the facility features a state-of-the-art greenhouse that utilizes sustainable farming methods to produce a variety of vegetables, herbs, and fish. In aquaponics, the nutrient-rich water from raising fish provides a natural fertilizer for plants, and the plants help to purify the water for the fish. BIGH aims to reduce the carbon footprint associated with food transportation, promote local food production, and demonstrate the potential of urban agriculture to enhance food security and sustainability. Urban farming is a much-discussed topic nowadays because it reduces transportation distance between the production field and the end customer, to cut energy costs. I don’t think urban farming can be applied to all crops, but it is one way of maximizing production efficiency. Utilizing abandoned buildings in cities and adopting natural energy sources will also have carbon-saving effects.

I have also become interested in “carbon farming.” Carbon farming refers to practices that increase the amount of carbon stored in the soil and vegetation. One technique that challenged my commonsense is “no-till farming.” In conventional agriculture, plowing is required to turn the soil under, but in no-till farming, seeds are sown directly into the residue from the previous crop, leaving the soil structure undisturbed. Eventually, it is supposed to be better for weed management as well because plowing places weed seeds deeper into the soil and thereby increases germination. By contrast, weed seeds stay on the surface of the soil with the no-till technique, making it easier to remove them.

Weeds have always been the farmer’s foe, but with the no-till method, weeds can become beneficial. Weeds are quite viable and hard to eliminate. They can develop roots that reach deep into the soil, which actually create paths for the water, nutrients, and air that are necessary for the target crops. In this regard, weeds should not be removed entirely but managed to be short enough so that the target crop will receive the necessary sunlight. Weed-filled soil is soft, and this facilitates the crop’s development of a better root system. Heavy machinery use is discouraged because it compacts the soil. Weed roots hold the soil in place, protecting it from erosion. Well-managed weeds provide food and shelter for insects and pests, making the crop itself of lesser interest to them and thereby lowering the use of pesticides. Even cut weeds can be beneficial, as they can be left on the soil to keep it from drying out.

Some farmers intentionally grow cover crops to discourage common weeds as an alternative to covering the soil with plastic sheet, which seems convenient but creates trash. No-till farming is labor-saving because it does not include plowing or removing weeds. Some call it “lazy farming.” Its biggest challenge is convincing farmers to make the transition from conventional cultivation. It may take some years for the soil to become soft and healthy again after no-till farming is initiated. The purpose of this method is to revive the soil with beneficial microorganisms to provide nutrients to the plants in more easily absorbed forms. If the soil contains chemicals, it takes longer to build bio-allies of the crops, so they may initially suffer from diseases and pests. It takes time, and it can be a difficult decision for the commercial farmer to make because there is the potential of less profit for a few years. But it is the correct decision to make, as it helps mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide in a more natural way and is healthier for humans, too. Fortunately, there are also bio-products for pest and disease control to help in the transition.

Advancements in breeding technology also play a crucial role in adapting plants to the planet’s changing climate. Improving plants may mean developing varieties that are less sensitive to temperature fluctuation and more resistant to pests and diseases. CRISPR technology, a genetic “scissors” technique to edit genes, can be used for this purpose. The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is also be used to shorten the time needed to see results in the conventional breeding sector as well. Instead of observing plants from bloom to maturity, PCR is used to check genetic accordance. Good plants become more economical by requiring less pesticides and fungicides in addition to reducing the carbon footprint and improving human health.

We hear about climate-related disasters more and more frequently – calamities such as the recent tornadoes and huge floods following heavy rains in China, for example, and high temperatures of above 50 degrees Celsius in India this summer. What can be done to ease the situation more quickly than the pace of past progress? Individuals need to be aware and act, but without changes in our systems and laws, it is a daunting task. Maybe the “money principle” should be applied as well. If sustainable options make sense economically, people will take note because “money talks.” The EU’s carbon tax is one such example. Of course, if we decide to focus on sustainability for survival in our climate crisis, there will be the cost. Are we willing to pay that price for our survival?

Photograph: BIGH. https://bigh.farm/en/our-project/