Sustainable agriculture is the act of farming based on an understanding of ecosystem services, the study of relationships between organisms and their environment. It has been defined as “an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will last over the long term”, for example, it satisfy human food and fiber needs, enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends, make the most efficient use of non-renewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls, sustain the economic viability of farm operations and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
Daniel Aliddeki, a trainer at St. Jude Family Projects, discusses the biofertilizer production undertaken in the field learning site to address the lack of microorganisms typical in some organic fertilizers. For St. Jude’s Family Projects, biofertilizers also provides balanced soil microorganisms and through chelation makes the soil nutrients more bioavailable to the plants.
Mukembo Herbert, a trainer at St. Jude Family Projects, discusses the basics of coffee farming, including the different types of coffee grown in Uganda and its value chain, how it grows organic Robusta variety in its field learning site, from flowering to roasting, and the challenges faced by Uganda coffee growers.
