OUTLINE FOR ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE

CONTENTS

1. HISTORY OF ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE

2. WHAT IS ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE

2.1 DEFINING BIODIVERSITY
2.2 THE VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY TO HUMANS
2.3 IMPORTANCE OF ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE AND
UNDERSTANDING HOW AGRICULTURE WORKS

3. GOALS OF ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE

4. ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES
4.1 ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS
4.1.1 ECOSYSTEM CONCEPTS
4.1.2 ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS

5. APPLICATION OF ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES

A. STRENGHTS OF NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS
 DIVERSITY
 SELF-SUFFICIENCY
 SELF-REGULATION
 RESILIENCY
B. BUILDING CHARACTERISTICS OF STRONG ECOSYSTEMS INTO
AGROECOSYSTEMS
 BUILDING INTERNAL STRENGHTS INTO THE SYSTEM
 ROUTINE ECOLOGICALLY SOUND PRACTICES
 REACTIVE MANAGEMENT

6. THE ROLE OF ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE IN FOOD SECURITY

A. ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE VS . INDUSTRIALIZED AGRICULTURE
B. CONSTRAINTS TO ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE

bstract
The problems of modern high input agriculture are presently causing some
concern. The fundamental problem is an undermining of the energy efficient
self-sustaining character of a biological system. The purpose of this paper is to
suggest an alternative system called Ecological Agriculture.
This has seven requirements:

1.
 (1) It must be self-sustaining. It is managed to reduce losses to a
minimum, and all by-products are recycled. Decomposers and nitrogen
fixers are encouraged. Fertility is maintained by techniques such as
humus application, crop rotations and correct treatment and application
of farmyard manure.

2.
(2) It must be diversified in order to fulfill (1) above, also to increase
stability and maximise biomass production. The ratio of animals
(including humans) to plants must therefore be appropriate.

3.
(3) In order to maximise yields, limit the capital investment required
and increase employment, the unit size should be small, but appropriate
to local conditions.

4.
(4) The net yield per unit area must be maximised. Appropriate
techniques are outlined.

5.
(5) It must be economically viable. Conventional agriculture in the west
is heavily grant-aided. This alternative farming system is aimed to
operate at a real profit.

6.
(6) The farm products should be processed on the farm and sold directly
to local consumers. Cottage industries would revitalise many country
communities, particularly in the developing countries.

7.
(7) It must be aesthetically and ethically acceptable.

Techniques employed to achieve these aims are described and discussed in

relation to arable crops (rotations, manuring, control of pests and weeds, and
yields) and grassland management. The concept of niche occupation and
creation in relation to animal husbandry is explored. The different criteria
used in animal breeding, and the ethical arguments involved with intensive
animal husbandry are also outlined. Energy and its production on the farm,
the processing of farm products and crops, conservation and utilisation of
wild-life and woodland, and the social and political effects of ecological
agriculture are discussed. Figures are given from a survey in Europe of farms
managed along these lines.

This type of agriculture would be of particular value to developing countries to

help them become more self-sufficient in food. It will become of much
importance also in the developed world in the future. Figures are given from a
test-case farm which show that such a farming system does work, and shows
promise for development.