Deforestation is a global environmental consequence of the heavy use of agricultural fields. This problem affects biodiversity and local communities, especially in tropical climate regions where coffee and cocoa are grown. Solutions are needed to secure the future of the environment and farms. Therefore, in this article, we will look at how to be effective in providing solutions to deforestation through sustainable practices and innovation.
Why is it important to implement solutions to deforestation?
One of the consequences of deforestation, in addition to wiping out biodiversity, is the evolution of climate change by releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Cutting down trees to expand agricultural production causes soil degradation and affects the long-term productivity of coffee and cocoa.
In this sense, it is necessary to implement solutions to deforestation that allow maintaining productivity without sacrificing the ecosystem. For this reason, Coolx is committed to solving the problem. In addition, we help those companies that wish to adapt their products to the EUDR solution, according to the characteristics of their business.
Large-scale forest clearance became prevalent in the 1970s
Three sustainable agricultural practices to tackle deforestation
Sustainable agriculture is agriculture that must meet today’s needs and guarantee profitability, environmental health and equity in the future. The basic principles defended by this type of farming are:
- Increase productivity and employment in the primary sector.
- Protect and promote natural resources.
- Promote sustainable economic growth through livelihoods.
Sustainable agriculture is one of the most effective strategies to combat deforestation in crop fields. There are different ways of doing this, but these are the most common practices:
- Agroforestry: this involves combining trees and crops in the same crop field. That is, instead of felling trunks for extensive agriculture, farmers can integrate trees that protect the soil, enhance biodiversity and provide shade for plants.
- Precision farming: through sensors and drones, farmers optimise natural resources such as water and fertilisers. This option maximises yields and avoids creating new wooded areas on agricultural land.
- Crop rotation: this practice consists of alternating crops on the same land, which helps to maintain soil fertility and reduce pressure on forests. Farmers maintain their yields without the need to expand cultivated land to contribute to forest conservation.
Agroforestry is found on 43% of all agricultural land in the world, where 30% of the rural population resides
Social and educational awareness on deforestation
Educating and raising awareness, especially among young people, is essential to combat deforestation. Especially because almost a third of the planet is forested, almost half of all species live in these areas and forests provide 75% of freshwater. There are therefore different ways to raise awareness of their importance:
- Educational programmes: promote environmental education in urban and rural communities so that new generations understand the importance of farmland and how to adopt sustainable practices. Farmers should also be involved to learn about more sustainable practices.
- Awareness campaigns: disseminating information on the consequences of the problem, such as biodiversity loss and increased climate change, motivates consumers to make more responsible choices.
- Citizen participation: encouraging participation in reforestation and conservation initiatives. In addition, the involvement of NGOs, governments and other entities can impact solutions to deforestation.
Innovative technology as a solution to deforestation
The use of technology in agriculture has changed the way farmers work. There are mobile applications that provide real-time weather information and automated irrigation systems, but also many more complex ones. The aim of technology is to make farming more efficient, optimise natural resources and improve productivity. Some of the innovations developed as solutions to deforestation include:
- Artificial intelligence forest monitoring: these systems analyse large volumes of satellite data and generate alerts to facilitate prior intervention in case of damage.
- Drones for surveillance and reforestation: these devices allow monitoring of forest areas. They can also be used to reforest areas that are difficult to access, planting seeds in places that are inaccessible to farmers.
- Sustainable alternatives to wood products: to avoid unnecessary logging, new activities are proposed that include the use of recycled materials or composites that can replace wood in construction and other industrial sectors.
Ultimately, implementing solutions to deforestation in coffee and cocoa fields is a task that requires the collaboration of the entire population. The adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, social education and the use of technology allow us to stop deforestation and protect our forests. From Coolx, we invite you to join these initiatives and contribute to the conservation of our forests, choosing sustainable products and supporting reforestation projects.
