Farming is not an easy industry to enter. Farmers face a slew of challenges in both small and large scale operations. Traditional and sustainable approaches deal with many of the same struggles.
This isn’t to say that you should be discouraged from pursuing a career in agriculture. It can be a rewarding and lucrative venture, but you should be well aware of the challenges you may face. This will allow you to prepare for them early on.
Resource Depletion
Problems with resources aren’t an issue that threatens the farming industry exclusively. However, it’s quite noticeable in this field of work, as farmers can’t work without some of these resources on hand. Such resources have been overused for decades, now. But with an ever-growing demand for food, conservation can be difficult to achieve.
It is also important to emphasize the vast role petroleum plays in all this, as it is heavily relied on by farms. The farming community must have policies in place to conserve and protect its resources.
Land Management
Current use of land is having a negative effect on the soil’s nutritious capacities. Land is being depleted, with each harvest becoming less plentiful than the one before it. This issue can be dealt with through the process known as land management.
The most common issue with land management stems from the fact that most US farms currently plant monocultures. This means that each year, you’ll have the same effect on the soil, and damages can worsen over time.
Food Waste
A big problem facing farmers is food waste, and unfortunately farmers cannot solve this problem alone. The issue has been noticed by both media and political actors, but continues to persist as we waste large quantities of food every year.
Government policy is crucial to cutting down on food waste. It is not enough to leave the work to charitable organizations, those these are important as well. Tax incentive and regulations will help keep distribution systems sustainable, more than any individual effort could.
Demographic Changes
There are two main problems facing the demographic of farming today, particularly in the US. Farmers are getting older, and most farmers enter the profession through family inheritance from the previous generation. This presents a few problems, as it can be a physically difficult job for elderly workers. Older farmers are also less ready to accept changes in their field.
The second issue involves the fact that many new farmers are entering the field as well, moving from the cities and bringing a more eco-friendly approach to the field. It’s a net positive in the long run, but can also be a source of tension.
Political issues
Many political issues face the farming industry, as the government adds more regulations and rules in order to make farming more eco-friendly. However, there are large businesses working in the field as well, and they tend to set the stage for how the overall industry is run.
Farming is a rather politicized industry, due to its importance and the sheer amount of money that is at stake. It is crucial that new farmers are aware of this.
Moving Away From Meat
There is also now a movement to move away from meat-based diets altogether. The movement has a rich and complex background in terms of motivation. Some do it out of concern for the meat industry’s environmental impact, while others make the choice because they care for animals.
The process is neither easy nor straightforward. Alternatives to meat can be problematic in their own rite, and often don’t taste as good. Farmers will need to adapt, but the meat-free movement won’t be threatening them anytime soon.
Conclusion
There are many challenges facing the agricultural industry. It is crucial to be familiar with these challenges, in order to plan accordingly.