Sustainable ...

FROM PAGE XV ity, and anaerobic digesters can be used to convert animal waste to biogas. In addition to generating electricity, these microbes also treat waste and produce fertiliser.

• Managing water use

Water is an invaluable resource that is used for various purposes, including farming, recreation, fishing and cultural activities. Effective management of water resources in agriculture is critical, not only in increasing agricultural production but also ensuring that water is shared with other users, thus maintaining the environmental and social benefits associated with it. Water-saving technologies and practices such as drip irrigation, low-pressure irrigation systems can be adopted, along with improvements in irrigation systems such as scheduling irrigation to plant needs andreplacing earth with concrete linings for irrigation canals.

• Integrated crop and livestock systems

An integrated crop and livestock system manages crops and animals on the same farm in a way that they complement each other. An integrated system would usually include a herd of ruminants (animals like sheep, goats or cattle), which graze a pasture to build up the soil. Eventually, sufficient soil organic matter builds up to the point where crops can be supported. This system increases the diversity, along with environmental sustainability, of both sectors. At the same time, it provides opportunities for increasing overall production of farming.

• Pesticide management

Using a common-sense approach to managing pests is a good way to ensure environmental sustainability on farms. This involves regular monitoring to properly identify the severity of problems associated with pests. When the problem has been identified, the options for controlling pests can be then be evaluated, which would allow for the least - toxic control option to be selected and implemented. The main focus of a pesticide management system should be:

1. Accurately diagnose problems before considering any treatment;

2. The use least-toxic solutions when addressing problems;

3. Nor applying fertiliser or pesticides just before rain;

4. Not killing every bug – 95% of insects are not pests;

5. Use pesticides as a last resort;

6. Always read and follow pesticide label instructions; and

7. Encourage beneficial insects.