1 min
Many times, we fall into the trap of developing projects or interventions focusing on immediate gains such as increasing production, improving livelihood, and more inclusion without incorporating sustainable elements into them. So many of these interventions, with all their achievements most times, died a few months or years after its completion. This is because the long-term needs of people are missing in such projects or interventions. Also, some activities or practices fall into this category where immediate goals are the focus. Examples of such activities are the application of pesticides and fertilizers, the use of untreated wastewater, cutting down of native trees for construction, bush burning amongst other practices. All these activities do meet or satisfy the immediate needs of the recipients, but its future impacts are most times not considered.
Have you ever witnessed smallholder farmers applying pesticides on their field? The type of chemical used (red color code pesticides, that's, the most toxic just to prevent pest because it is most effective to CONTROL PESTS), all their body part being exposed during spraying, the use of nearby water or river (always dipping the knapsack into the water leading to contamination of the water), and other activities that align with their current realities.
Assessing the impact of these activities outweighs the overall consequences of this on the people and the environment. The people who engage in such practices do not necessarily think of the future consequences. Therefore, it is important that we strike a balance amongst making profit, preserving the environment and the people. That's why having a sustainable mindset will not only increase productivity in the short run, but it will ensure that it sustains the growth and achievements for the future. We need more farmers who possess strong sustainable mindset.
To achieve this, we need to develop intentional contents (understanding our realities and the potential in our future) to sensitize smallholder farmers on the concept of sustainability (under economic, social and environment), increase their perceived benefits from sustainable practises and provide both emotional and policy support through their journey of achieving short, medium to long-term goals.
Sustainability is not one of those elements we should have but it is a must to develop it into our day-to-day activities in order to achieve zero hunger and food security. We don't have to think about it for too long to know that without adopting sustainable practices, our agricultural sector cannot strive, and our food system is bound to collapse completely. Let us come together to embrace more sustainable practices and have the right mindset in order for us to be more proactive; In unity, we shall build and stand.
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
Assessing the impact of these activities outweighs the overall consequences of this on the people and the environment. The people who engage in such practices do not necessarily think of the future consequences. Therefore, it is important that we strike a balance amongst making profit, preserving the environment and the people. That's why having a sustainable mindset will not only increase productivity in the short run, but it will ensure that it sustains the growth and achievements for the future. We need more farmers who possess strong sustainable mindset.
To achieve this, we need to develop intentional contents (understanding our realities and the potential in our future) to sensitize smallholder farmers on the concept of sustainability (under economic, social and environment), increase their perceived benefits from sustainable practises and provide both emotional and policy support through their journey of achieving short, medium to long-term goals.
Sustainability is not one of those elements we should have but it is a must to develop it into our day-to-day activities in order to achieve zero hunger and food security. We don't have to think about it for too long to know that without adopting sustainable practices, our agricultural sector cannot strive, and our food system is bound to collapse completely. Let us come together to embrace more sustainable practices and have the right mindset in order for us to be more proactive; In unity, we shall build and stand.
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
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