Sustainable Farm

Sustainable farm based on organic farming systems. Each growing season is always our farmers "screaming" miserably because fertilizer is scarce. Pest that is often turned increasingly violent and become immune to "cure" the existing farm. Then, although some farmers with organic farming, organic fertilizer but it is hard to come by, and dependent on the manufacturer of fertilizer (organic). These three things at least show that farming is far from sustainable standards.

There are several definitions that defines the boundaries of sustainable farm (sustainable agriculture). Broadly speaking, the criteria of sustainable farming systems, namely: Sustainability Economically, agriculture pattern can guarantee infestation developed in the form of labor and costs incurred farmers, and the results are farmers adequately provide for his family. Economic sustainability means also minimize or even negate the external costs in the process of agricultural production.

In point of economic sustainability, there are many shows that farmers (and farm) we do not sustain economically in the management of the farm. For example, in the field met the author of many farmers who have to (constantly) owed before the growing season (for the cost of production and equipment). Farmers' dependence on external inputs (mainly fertilizers and pesticides) is the most tangible evidence.

So we have to start (now also) introduce to our farmers farming several alternative models, such as LEISA (Low External Input and Sustainable Farm). Where is the independence LEISA farmers with more secure, but it is also environmentally friendly. In some other places, the forest-farm agricultural systems (agroforestry) it can be a way out.

Ecological Sustainability

Ecological sustainability is an effort to develop agroecosystems in order to have the ability to endure long periods of time through integrated management to maintain and enhance the functionality of existing natural resources. The development system is also oriented diversity (biodiversity).

Cultivation practices that cause negative impacts on the environment should be avoided. Writers meet on the field, that farmers often spray pesticides manufacturer although no pests. It's as if there is fear that the spraying must not be subject to pest attack. Melon plants since before flowering to harvest, spray with a pesticide can be up to three times a day by the farmer.

So farmers familiar with the origin of spray-spray pattern is shown by their habit of calling pesticides as drugs. Though pesticides are poison, not medicine. Even many extension officers who called pesticides as drugs. Though already a lot of reviews about the dangers of pesticide residues on farmers, the environment and consumers.

Another thing, the habit of spraying pesticides over-dosage may lead to the growth of survivors immune to pests. So the next generation of pests are no longer susceptible sprayed with the same dose, or the same pesticides. In the field encountered habit mix different brands of pesticides farmers to get a more powerful (in many cases, it was the agricultural extension that will teach farmers about this dangerous).

In addition to economic and environmental sustainability, sustainable farming systems prerequisite is social justice, and compliance with local culture. That award dignity and rights of individuals and groups to receive fair treatment. For example, the protection of the more assertive of their rights of farmers in land tenure, local seeds and technology is often "hijacked" by the financier.

The system also provides the facility to be built for access to information, markets, and resources related to farming. Which must ensure the "sweat the price farmers" to get a decent exchange rate, for the welfare of the family farm and the sustainability of farming capital.