8 minutes
Have you heard of biodynamic agriculture, but don’t quite understand what it is all about? Find out here why it is gaining more and more followers.
What is biodynamic agriculture? It is a type of alternative agricultural activity in which agrochemicals are not used, but natural fertilizers. In addition, it is based on a solar calendar that determines the choice of crops. This is one of its defining characteristics, since It is governed by the solar and lunar cycles because, according to certain beliefs of mystical origin, they bring benefits to crops.
In this way, the human being relates to the earth as if it were a living being driven by the cosmic forces that govern the universe. Thus, biodynamic agriculture proposes a harmonious and holistic use of land, plant and animal resources.
Harmonious because its practices are sustainable and friendly to the environment, and holistic because each production unit, such as a farm, is taken as an indivisible whole of field, animals, soils, plants and the spirit.
This anthroposophic approach (“anthropo” of human and “sophic” of wisdom) of biodynamic agriculture earned him some criticism that they brand as superstitious and not very serious. However, the foods obtained from this type of agriculture do not contain any type of pesticides, transgenic or artificial substances, so they are very healthy for human consumption.
What is the origin of biodynamic agriculture?
Developed by the Austrian philosopher Rudolf steiner in 1924, Biodynamic agriculture proposes an ethical-ecological approach towards horticultural, livestock, farming and food activities in general.
Under this premise, all beings have a potential to develop through the spiritual plane. For this, any agricultural task that is carried out is in conjunction with the alignment of the planets and the lunar phases, which is not approved by science.
Nevertheless, many European farmers decided to join this project due to a clear deterioration in the quality of the land. What’s more, it is gaining more and more followers who are inclined towards more sustainable agricultural practices.
Characteristics of biodynamic agriculture
The term biodynamics is made up of “bio” which means “life” and “dynamics” which implies “force”. In other words, it refers to the different forces or impulses that give life to the earth.
As we mentioned at the beginning, biodynamic agriculture has a rather spiritual connection with mother earth so that food production is more efficient. Let us review below some characteristics of this agricultural system.
Production unit
The production unit of biodynamic agriculture is the farm. In this sense, it is a self-sufficient entity that is capable of self-sufficiency without resorting to external suppliers to it. Both agriculture and livestock that take place on the farm are conceived as a whole, as a holistic unit.
The tasks of those who work there are not limited to sowing, cultivating and harvesting, but rather the farmers seek to harmonize and connect with the land to determine their needs and act on them.
Soil preparation
The compost used to enrich the soil is also biodynamic and is made using six preparations based on yarrow flowers, chamomile, nettle, dandelion, valerian and oak bark. The choice of these components is not random, but each one of them has a medicinal quality that is enhanced by relating to animals, the earth and the universe.
When compost is made, these preparations are added in order to strengthen it and multiply the organisms that develop there, such as fungi and bacteria. Likewise, the compost that is generated acquires excellent nutritional properties by stabilizing hydrogen and microbiotic diversity.
Ecosystem
One of the premises of biodynamic agriculture is the balance that must exist between the animal kingdom and the vegetable kingdom. This means that if farmers only dedicate themselves to one of them, there is an imbalance in the life cycle. For this reason, on farms where this type of alternative agriculture is practiced, animals, plants and soil interact with each other consciously to achieve a vital harmony.
Crops
There is a crop rotation and a variety of animals to raise that respond to different reasons. For example, cover crops provide fertility and contribute to the diversity of species that are grown.
Similarly, crop rotation has to do with the way in which each of these relates to the land and how it benefits from this alternation. On the other hand, animal species collaborate with different types of manure that fertilize the land in many ways.
Fertilizers and pesticides
Everything we mentioned in the previous point makes the use of fertilizers unnecessary, since this variety naturally balances the life of the farm. When an ecosystem is in order and in balance, both animals and plants grow in a healthy way and they do not give rise to pests or diseases.
When a problem appears in a certain ecosystem, it means that there has been an imbalance that should be corrected and corrected to return the farm to its natural health.
Seeds and species
Far from being transgenic and acquired from large corporations, biodynamic agriculture prefers seeds that come from local pollinations. Regarding the species of animals and plants, those that are autochthonous are chosen so that they develop fully in their natural habitat. All this without forgetting the cosmic component that influences the reproduction and breeding of animals.
Benefits of this system
The holistic approach to agriculture results in benefits for both the land and humans. In addition to obtaining healthy products free of all types of contaminants, promotes an economic activity that takes into account the well-being of ecosystems and society.
A biodynamic farm connects with other farms, educational, medical, commercial and social institutions with the idea of join forces for the good of the entire community.
Is biodynamic agriculture the same as organic?
No, an organic agriculture is not the same as a biodynamic one. Although they both say “no” to chemicals and return to natural practices that are in harmony with nature, there are some differences between them.
The main one lies in the quality certifications that biodynamic agriculture must have and not organic agriculture. Among them, we can mention the seal DEMETER present in those foods that were made according to biodynamic practices.
In addition to the fact that each product must exhibit said certification, the entire production unit, that is, the farm, must have said seal. Some of the activities that are certified are:
- The humane treatment of animals.
- The application of biodynamic preparations.
- Half of the animal feed must be grown on the farm.
- A percentage of the farm’s land is set aside to maintain biodiversity.
Biodynamic agriculture: a healthy option
Biodynamic agriculture is another way of being responsible and environmentally friendly consumers. In fact, there is a healthy way to produce food and therefore a healthy way to choose what to eat and what not to eat. It is worth giving us an opportunity to bet on processed foods that follow manufacturing practices that are in harmony with our Mother Earth.
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