Welcoming #IYPH2020 (ft. AgriNation)

Happy Sunday #YugenCommunity!

Today we're going to be looking at the topic of plant health, in recognition of 2020 - The International Year of Plant Health as deemed by the UN General Assembly.

Plants provide the oxygen we breathe, grow over 80% of the food we eat, help to address the effects of climate change and can be used to support efforts to reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. In simple terms: the need for healthy plant life is paramount.

While the theme of plant health usually solely focuses on controlling and preventing pests, weeds and disease, I would like to broaden that scope a bit by looking at the ways in which local farmers, and even small garden owners, can engage in sustainable crop production which, by nature, should; require limited chemicals, conserve energy and water, maintain healthy soil and minimise pollution.

To do this, I enlisted the help of Mr. Hamza Ali, MSc. student at the University of the West Indies and Founder/Chief Consultant at AgriNation (IG: @agrinationtt) Trinidad and Tobago.

Hamza says that "farming, in essence, should be sustainable to allow for its continued success...it is imperative that a farm should produce as low of a negative environmental impact as possible".

In fact, Hamza notes that he aims to manage his farm as sustainably as possible, sharing that while he must now spend more time maintaining and tending to his crops, his cost of production has decreased and he feels like he's "fulfilling part of my responsibility to this wonderful planet we call home".

With regards to plant health and pest management, he notes that he personally avoids the use of pesticides by using the following methods:

1. Biological pest control - This is a method of controlling pests, weeds and diseases by introducing or maintaining natural pest enemies. It relies on natural factors such as predation, parasitism and herbivory but typically involves active human management. For example, ladybugs may be introduced as they consume plant pests.

2. Companion planting - This is the planting of different crops in close proximity to each other, usually to aid with pest control or pollination. For most vegetables, there is a beneficial companion plant that will help to chase away pests, or provide some other benefit. For example, marigolds help lettuce by repelling nematodes and chive and other aromatic herbs keep pests away from tomatoes.

3. Tribute cropping - This method involves the planting of unprotected crops that attract pests similar to those of the main crop, giving the pests something to focus on, other than your cash crop.

4. Using Cinnamon and Peppermint Sprays - Cinnamon can be used to deter fungus and keep pests like ants away, without killing them. Similarly, peppermint serves as an excellent pest repellent as it masks the scent (and thus, presence) of plants which may usually fall prey to pests such as aphids. Peppermint also serves as a fungus deterrent and keeps away slugs, snails and rodents such as squirrels.

However, Hamza notes that there are a number of challenges faced by local and regional farmers with regards to being able to implement such measures, including economic feasibility, access to knowledge and the movement of youth away from agriculture. Therefore, he suggests the need for private sector-, stakeholder-, or government intervention to address these policy and education issues.

To play our part, we've included 2 additional methods farmers and gardeners can implement to achieve optimal plant health, while also becoming more sustainable. These are;

1. Crop Rotation & Intercropping: Together, these techniques are the opposite of monoculture, and thus avoid the consequences that are associated with it, such as pest problems. This is because rotating crops (planting different crops in the same location at different times) and growing a mixture of crops in the same field breaks the reproduction cycles of pests and can also allow for nutrient replenishment, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

2. Mulching & Groundcovers: Covering the soil around plants with organic mulch material such as wood chips or grass clippings can reduce weed growth, conserve soil moisture, improve nutrient retention and encourage microorganisms that may improve soil aeration.

So, what do you think? Do you believe that implementing some of these measures can make a positive impact? Make sure to let us know below!

PS: The next post will be on January 12th & we'll be discussing the impacts of animal agriculture on climate change and if movements like Veganuary are really worth it....

See you soon!

- Jamala