To understand how sustainable agriculture can provide solutions that help to counter climate change, it’s important to  understand what it is, what the goals are, and who can contribute. Sustainable agriculture is a farming practice that focuses on continuous and supportable ways to meet a community's food needs. The ultimate goal is to meet food and textile needs, including clothing and materials for yarn, ropes, and nets, among others, without compromising future generations from meeting their own needs. 

Three main goals are kept in mind when working towards sustainable agriculture practices: a healthy environment, financial success, and social and economic equity. Growers, food processors, distributors, retailers, consumers, and waste managers are just a few of the people who can contribute to a sustainable agricultural system.

A great example of sustainable agriculture in action lies in Uganda. The Hunger Project Uganda has placed a high priority on encouraging and educating farmers to adopt eco-friendly farming practices as a step toward increasing agricultural productivity and leading sustainable lifestyles for more than 20 years. 

Sustainable agriculture was promoted by

• working in collaboration with local farmers and the government to adopt climate-smart and environmentally friendly practices like agro-ecology, which is an academic discipline that studies ecological processes applied to agricultural production systems, to advance food security, income generation, gender equity, and environmental protection

• utilizing demonstration farms, which are farms that are primarily used for research and demonstrating various agriculture techniques

• and creating a Savings and Credit Organization to offer low-interest credit to farmers

(Source: THP.org)

How does sustainable agriculture help counter climate change?

Sustainable agriculture aims to…

• Preserve and restore habitats by avoiding deforestation and the use of harmful chemicals.

• Improve soil health. When growing and removing crops, nutrients are removed from the soil, which can lead to the land being unusable in the future. Sustainable agriculture aims to replenish the soil. Rotating the types of crops planted can help to restore soil fertility, and reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides. 

• Prevent long-term soil damage by avoiding excess tilling, which is the digging, stirring, or overturning of soil, which can lead to erosion. 

• Improve water quality by avoiding harmful fertilizers and pesticides. 

(Source: ECO.ca)

Building resilience to climate change is woven into our work across Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. People living in conditions of hunger and poverty are at the greatest risk of impact from environmental concerns. The vast majority of people in hunger and poverty live in rural regions, relying heavily on agriculture, with their well-being closely tied to the natural environment. This is why we offer Food Security & Agriculture Workshops at our epicentres around the world.

The Hunger Project Canada is a proud Environmental Partner for 1% for the Planet, a global organization dedicated to tackling pressing environmental issues. They promote climate solutions through…

• Activism

• Adult education

• Promoting alternative transportation

• Environmental justice

• Avoiding fossil fuels and promoting efficiency

• Supporting human health and economic development

• Providing law and public policy support

• Natural resource conservation

• Renewable energy

• Youth education

• Among others

1% for the planet brings together like-minded individuals, businesses, and donors looking to work together toward a common goal: protecting the future of our environment.