Question

Which farming practice promotes sustainability and local agriculture? Choose the correct option from the list below:

A) Forming cooperatives with other farmers
B) Eliminating the need to package and transport goods
C) Inter-cropping
D) Using natural predators
E) Increasing diversity
F) Growing and selling locally
G) Implementing integrated pest management
H) Diversifying marketing

Answer 1

Intercropping is a sustainable farming practice that involves planting multiple crops together to improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and manage pests naturally. The strategy includes improved biological diversity and nutrient cycling, leading to a more stable crop-ecosystem. Integrated Pest Management and local cultivation are additional sustainable practices.

Step-by-step explanation:

The sustainable farming practice that promotes soil improvement, biodiversity, and natural pest management is known as intercropping. This method involves planting two or more crops in close proximity during all or part of their life cycles, creating a mutually beneficial environment. The benefits of intercropping include increased biological diversity, which is crucial for a stable agro-ecosystem, improved nutrient cycling, better crop nutrient uptake, as well as enhanced water infiltration and moisture retention. As a result, intercropping leads to higher soil quality and improved water quality, while also providing better habitats for wildlife.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is another practice that aligns with sustainable agriculture. It includes using biological controls, like introducing species that predate on pests, thereby reducing the reliance on synthetic chemicals for crop protection.

Lastly, growing and selling locally is a core principle of sustainable agriculture that aids in reducing packaging and transport, thereby minimizing the carbon footprint and strengthening local economies.