kokonaisviljelyyn

Kokonaisviljelyyn, which translates to "whole crop harvesting" or "complete harvesting" in English, refers to a farming practice where the entire plant, including roots, stems, leaves, and fruits or seeds, is harvested and utilized. This contrasts with traditional harvesting methods that typically focus on specific parts of the plant, such as grains, tubers, or fruits, leaving the rest to decompose in the field.

The primary motivation behind kokonaisviljelyyn is maximizing resource efficiency and minimizing waste. By harvesting the entire plant, farmers can utilize all parts for various purposes. For example, above-ground biomass can be used as animal feed, bedding, or for producing biofuels and bioenergy. The root system, often left behind in conventional harvesting, can also be processed for specific applications or incorporated back into the soil to improve its structure and nutrient content.

This approach is particularly relevant in the context of sustainable agriculture and the circular economy. It aims to close nutrient loops by returning as much organic matter as possible to the production system, thereby reducing the need for external inputs like synthetic fertilizers. Furthermore, kokonaisviljelyyn can be beneficial for weed control, as removing the entire plant, including its root system, can prevent regrowth.

However, kokonaisviljelyyn also presents challenges. It requires specialized harvesting equipment capable of extracting the entire plant, which can be costly. Additionally, processing the entire plant can be more complex and energy-intensive than handling specific harvested parts. The economic viability of this practice depends heavily on the availability of markets for all harvested plant components and the efficiency of the subsequent processing and utilization stages.