foodsources growing green
How Manitoba growers are embracing sustainable agriculture
By Laurie Hughes
As the global population rises , so does the need for food-which means global food supplies are currently facing a huge challenge . The world ’ s population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 according to the UN , and that means we need to increase food production by 70 % in the next 30 years to ensure enough food for everyone on the planet .
While food growers are conscious of this increasing need , they also recognize that the agriculture industry has its own environmental impact . Food waste decomposition , fertilizer and pesticide use , and algae growth are all side effects of agriculture that have negative effects on the environment . In Canada , agriculture accounts for 8 % of greenhouse gas emissions , and in Manitoba that rises to a whopping 31 %.
So how can local growers meet rising demand without compromising the natural resources agriculture depends on ? Thankfully , Manitoba farmers are committed stewards of the land and recognize the duality of their responsibility to produce while preserving , through specialized farming practices that help improve the soil , air , and water .
Good for the Land
Farming often places significant pressures on the surrounding environment . Most of these issues stem from the use of fertilizers and pesticides which are deemed necessary to grow in soil . However , poorly managed nutrient application can reduce the fertility of the land , damage soils and water sources and contribute to emissions .
The good news is that Canadian farmers are meeting the sustainability challenge head on by adopting practices that make a big impact . Increasingly , Canadian , and Manitoba farming methods are promoting soil health and moving to reduce reliance on fossil fuels .
Manitoba producers and academics are all abuzz about regenerative agriculture , and this soil health movement has been gaining traction over the last
Farmers are practicing nutrient stewardship using a measurable “ 4R Nutrient Management Plan .” It provides a framework to achieve crop goals , including increased production and profitability , and enhanced environmental protection and sustainability .
Right Source Matches fertilizer type to crop needs ensuring balanced supply of essential nutrients
Right Time Makes nutrients available when crops need them and not when the soil is frozen
Right Rate Matches amount of fertilizer crop needs through soil testing
N P K
Right Place Keeps nutrients below the soil surface where they can be used by growing roots when needed
20 ciao ! / may / jun / two thousand twenty-two