A2 RW Ch7 L3 · Agroecology in India 🌾🌍

1In response to factory farming, a practice called agroecology has appeared. Agroecology uses local farming knowledge and practices and modern scientific technology to solve agricultural problems. Its goal is to work with local farmers and help them produce more food using sustainable methods. This new movement has gained support around the world, specifically in countries like India, where farming is common.

2In India, one-half of the country's 1.2 billion people depend on agriculture for a living. Most of the farms are small — only 3 acres. While industrial farming has benefitted some people, for many of these small farmers, it caused problems. Crops failed, and, in turn, the farmers didn't make much money. Meanwhile, many owed large amounts of money to banks or business owners or other people. This led to a large rate of suicide among farmers and food problems for many.

3However, thanks to more government support of sustainable methods, small farmers are starting to see their farms grow again. Instead of just planting one crop — like rice or corn — farmers are using crop rotation. For example, one season they plant rice, another season corn, another season wheat. This keeps the soil in the healthiest possible condition — full of nutrients, which results in more food.

4Using fewer pesticides is another change. While farmers once used pesticides to kill insects, they now use more natural, less harmful methods. For instance, some rice farmers keep ducks in their rice paddies. The ducks eat the insects and weeds, and their waste acts as a natural fertilizer for the plants.

5Finally, although much of India's diet is rice, some farmers know that other grains grow better in their area. Millet is a traditional grain of Tamil Nadu, an area of India, but many farmers weren't growing it. However, agroecological practices — which support traditional knowledge of the plants and climate — showed that this grain could survive better in hotter, drier conditions than rice could. Of all the grains, millet was the best grain for that area.

6While industrialized farming is still widely supported in most countries, the success of agroecology has shown the world that more natural methods can be highly successful.

1In response to factory farming, a practice called agroecology has appeared. Agroecology uses local farming knowledge and practices and modern scientific technology to solve agricultural problems. Its goal is to work with local farmers and help them produce more food using sustainable methods. This new movement has gained support around the world, specifically in countries like India, where farming is common.

2In India, one-half of the country's 1.2 billion people depend on agriculture for a living. Most of the farms are small — only 3 acres. While industrial farming has benefitted some people, for many of these small farmers, it caused problems. Crops failed, and, in turn, the farmers didn't make much money. Meanwhile, many owed large amounts of money to banks or business owners or other people. This led to a large rate of suicide among farmers and food problems for many.

3However, thanks to more government support of sustainable methods, small farmers are starting to see their farms grow again. Instead of just planting one crop — like rice or corn — farmers are using crop rotation. For example, one season they plant rice, another season corn, another season wheat. This keeps the soil in the healthiest possible condition — full of nutrients, which results in more food.

4Using fewer pesticides is another change. While farmers once used pesticides to kill insects, they now use more natural, less harmful methods. For instance, some rice farmers keep ducks in their rice paddies. The ducks eat the insects and weeds, and their waste acts as a natural fertilizer for the plants.

5Finally, although much of India's diet is rice, some farmers know that other grains grow better in their area. Millet is a traditional grain of Tamil Nadu, an area of India, but many farmers weren't growing it. However, agroecological practices — which support traditional knowledge of the plants and climate — showed that this grain could survive better in hotter, drier conditions than rice could. Of all the grains, millet was the best grain for that area.

6While industrialized farming is still widely supported in most countries, the success of agroecology has shown the world that more natural methods can be highly successful.

1In response to factory farming, a practice called agroecology has appeared. Agroecology uses local farming knowledge and practices and modern scientific technology to solve agricultural problems. Its goal is to work with local farmers and help them produce more food using sustainable methods. This new movement has gained support around the world, specifically in countries like India, where farming is common.

2In India, one-half of the country's 1.2 billion people depend on agriculture for a living. Most of the farms are small — only 3 acres. While industrial farming has benefitted some people, for many of these small farmers, it caused problems. Crops failed, and, in turn, the farmers didn't make much money. Meanwhile, many owed large amounts of money to banks or business owners or other people. This led to a large rate of suicide among farmers and food problems for many.

3However, thanks to more government support of sustainable methods, small farmers are starting to see their farms grow again. Instead of just planting one crop — like rice or corn — farmers are using crop rotation. For example, one season they plant rice, another season corn, another season wheat. This keeps the soil in the healthiest possible condition — full of nutrients, which results in more food.

4Using fewer pesticides is another change. While farmers once used pesticides to kill insects, they now use more natural, less harmful methods. For instance, some rice farmers keep ducks in their rice paddies. The ducks eat the insects and weeds, and their waste acts as a natural fertilizer for the plants.

5Finally, although much of India's diet is rice, some farmers know that other grains grow better in their area. Millet is a traditional grain of Tamil Nadu, an area of India, but many farmers weren't growing it. However, agroecological practices — which support traditional knowledge of the plants and climate — showed that this grain could survive better in hotter, drier conditions than rice could. Of all the grains, millet was the best grain for that area.

6While industrialized farming is still widely supported in most countries, the success of agroecology has shown the world that more natural methods can be highly successful.

1In response to factory farming, a practice called agroecology has appeared. Agroecology uses local farming knowledge and practices and modern scientific technology to solve agricultural problems. Its goal is to work with local farmers and help them produce more food using sustainable methods. This new movement has gained support around the world, specifically in countries like India, where farming is common.

2In India, one-half of the country's 1.2 billion people depend on agriculture for a living. Most of the farms are small — only 3 acres. While industrial farming has benefitted some people, for many of these small farmers, it caused problems. Crops failed, and, in turn, the farmers didn't make much money. Meanwhile, many owed large amounts of money to banks or business owners or other people. This led to a large rate of suicide among farmers and food problems for many.

3However, thanks to more government support of sustainable methods, small farmers are starting to see their farms grow again. Instead of just planting one crop — like rice or corn — farmers are using crop rotation. For example, one season they plant rice, another season corn, another season wheat. This keeps the soil in the healthiest possible condition — full of nutrients, which results in more food.

4Using fewer pesticides is another change. While farmers once used pesticides to kill insects, they now use more natural, less harmful methods. For instance, some rice farmers keep ducks in their rice paddies. The ducks eat the insects and weeds, and their waste acts as a natural fertilizer for the plants.

5Finally, although much of India's diet is rice, some farmers know that other grains grow better in their area. Millet is a traditional grain of Tamil Nadu, an area of India, but many farmers weren't growing it. However, agroecological practices — which support traditional knowledge of the plants and climate — showed that this grain could survive better in hotter, drier conditions than rice could. Of all the grains, millet was the best grain for that area.

6While industrialized farming is still widely supported in most countries, the success of agroecology has shown the world that more natural methods can be highly successful.