Why Ethical & Sustainable Farming Matters

With the effects of environmental decay becoming more prevalent, there is a growing interest in sustainable farming methods. Many of the farming methods used today strip the soil’s nutrients and prevent future crops from growing. While these methods can produce high yields, they are not sustainable for the long term and can leave the land barren.

For Kratom farmers, sustainability is second nature. Kratom’s farming practices help to rejuvenate the land with nutrients by only harvesting a select amount of plants each year and always leaving the entire plant still intact. These tactics, set by Kratom farmers, are becoming a model for other farmers around the world looking to transition to more sustainable practices.

Sustainable Farming: What Is It?

The primary mandate of sustainable farming is to create an agricultural industry that can replenish natural resources while still producing a high yield of healthy crops. While the idea is simple, it can be challenging for farmers to comprehend that natural crops suck out the soil’s nutrients and leave land barren. To fully replenish the ground, time has to be given to the crops to replenish naturally. For this to happen, careful planning has to be in place, where only portions of land are harvested at once while others are given at least a year turn around time untouched to regrow. When done correctly, sustainable farming will produce high-yield crops now while also bolstering the supply for future generations.

Difference Between Ethical & Sustainable Farming

In many cases, a sustainable farm is an ethical farm, but it is not always the case. Ethical farms ensure that the people, animals, and communities where farming is happening are properly maintained throughout the process. With more wildlife species and communities being threatened because of poor farming practices, ethical farms have increased importance.

The Role Of Kratom

Kratom is a plant that has garnered many Western countries’ interest within the past couple of decades. The plant is native to Southeast Asia and is a member of the same plant family as coffee. Several researchers and scientists are studying Kratom and its effects to find out its potential therapeutic benefits. For centuries, native communities have relied on the medicinal herb as a critical component of their traditional healing practices. As the soil is moist, acidic, and nutrient-dense, it is the perfect place for this plant, with more than 40 active alkaloids, to thrive. With the high amount of active compounds, it is no wonder that health and wellness research is looking to Kratom.

Throughout many of the areas where Kratom is grown natively, the farming practices used are naturally sustainable. The traditional methods used have created an agricultural framework many farmers now use to model their crops. The local cultivators handpick the leaves of the Kratom plant, which grows naturally in the rainforest. Dissimilar to the vast expanses of monoculture palm plantations, Kratom crops retain a diverse ecosystem of plants and animals, including the endangered Sumatran tiger. As only a select number of leaves are hand-picked each season from specific trees, the plant can continue growing strong.

In addition to Kratom’s wild crops, sustainable methods are being employed for “backyard” crops maintained by families of farmers. These farms are the ideal ethical farm as they curb human traffic, protect plant and animal life, and provide the farmers and communities with a source of income that allows the communities to stay in their native land without seeking employment opportunities in larger cities. These small family-run farms are established through mentorship and guidance provided by fair trade business practices. The companies that are practicing fair trade work with the farmers to help them create sustainable and ethical operations that become integral parts of the community.

Prevent Deforestation

Deforestation is rampant throughout developing countries, especially those in Southeast Asia. Behemoth industries like timber and palm are so large because they take advantage of the land by wiping out entire portions of diverse and ancient rainforests. Decentralized methods for farming, on the other hand, combat these practices. These methods prevent animal life from being disturbed, keep indigenous communities on their land, and ensure the natural stock of resources is sustained.

Clean Processing & Growing

The processing facilities that transform the raw materials into useful products are often the primary suspect of land degradation. Kratom processing facilities are unlike those of other industries as they do not use harmful chemicals, and they make a point to keep the groundwater clean. These facilities ensure that the land and drinking water remains safe for the native communities.

Fostering Relationships

A significant part of Kratom farming relies on fostering relationships with the farmers rather than shooting for massive profits. If you work with reputable Kratom suppliers, you can ensure that the farming methods to get their products on the shelf are ethical and sustainable.