
Sustainable agriculture refers to farming practices that meet current food and textile needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves using environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable farming techniques that promote long-term agricultural productivity, health, and ecosystem preservation.
Key principles of sustainable agriculture include:
- Conservation of Resources: Sustainable farming practices prioritize the efficient use of resources such as water, soil, and energy. Techniques like drip irrigation, mulching, and crop rotation help minimize resource depletion.
- Soil Health: Healthy soils are essential for productive agriculture. Practices like no-till farming, cover cropping, and composting help maintain soil structure, fertility, and biodiversity, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
- Biodiversity: Promoting diverse ecosystems on farms helps support a variety of plant and animal species, which enhances resilience to pests, diseases, and climate change. Crop diversity, agroforestry, and maintaining wildlife habitats are key strategies.
- Reducing Chemical Use: Sustainable agriculture aims to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Integrated pest management (IPM), organic farming, and biocontrol agents are common alternatives that reduce chemical input and protect the environment.
- Climate Resilience: Practices that help farms adapt to climate change are critical. This includes planting drought-resistant crops, improving water conservation, and using farming systems that are less vulnerable to extreme weather events.
- Economic Viability: Sustainable agriculture focuses on economic sustainability, ensuring that farming remains profitable while supporting local communities and fair labor practices. It promotes fair wages, local markets, and fair trade principles.
- Social Responsibility: This involves ensuring the well-being of farmers and workers, improving community livelihoods, and reducing poverty through fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to education and healthcare.
Sustainable agriculture seeks to create a balance between the environmental, economic, and social aspects of farming, fostering a food system that can thrive for generations to come.
What is Sustainable Agriculture ?
Sustainable agriculture is an approach to farming that focuses on producing food, fiber, and other agricultural products in a way that is environmentally responsible, economically viable, and socially equitable. The aim is to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Key aspects of sustainable agriculture include:
- Environmental Sustainability: It aims to protect and preserve natural resources such as water, soil, and biodiversity. Practices like crop rotation, agroforestry, conservation tillage, and organic farming help minimize environmental degradation and maintain ecological balance.
- Economic Viability: Sustainable agriculture encourages practices that ensure farms are profitable in the long term. This includes efficient use of resources, reduction in dependency on external inputs (like synthetic fertilizers and pesticides), and the promotion of local markets.
- Social Equity: It ensures that farming benefits are distributed equitably among all stakeholders, including farmers, workers, and local communities. This involves providing fair wages, supporting local economies, and improving the quality of life for farmers and their families.
- Resilience to Climate Change: Sustainable agriculture emphasizes building resilience to climate change by using techniques that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance carbon sequestration, and adapt to changing weather patterns.
- Biodiversity Preservation: By promoting a diverse range of crops, livestock, and ecosystems, sustainable agriculture helps protect wildlife and ensures healthier ecosystems.
Overall, sustainable agriculture seeks to create a farming system that supports the health of the planet, the economy, and people for the long term.
Who is required Sustainable Agriculture ?
Sustainable agriculture is needed by a wide range of stakeholders who are involved in or impacted by the agricultural sector. These include:
1. Farmers and Agricultural Producers
Farmers are directly responsible for adopting sustainable farming practices. By implementing sustainable methods, they can:
- Improve long-term soil health and fertility
- Reduce input costs (e.g., fertilizers and pesticides)
- Increase resilience to climate change and extreme weather conditions
- Maintain or improve crop yields over time
- Conserve water and reduce dependence on irrigation
- Preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services on their land
2. Consumers
Consumers benefit from sustainable agriculture because it:
- Provides healthier, organic, and more nutritious food options
- Reduces exposure to harmful chemicals (e.g., pesticides and synthetic fertilizers)
- Promotes local and ethical food production, which often aligns with growing consumer interest in food traceability and sustainability
- Contributes to a healthier environment, supporting the sustainability of the planet for future generations
3. Governments and Policy Makers
Governments are required to:
- Implement policies that support sustainable agricultural practices
- Offer incentives and subsidies for farmers who adopt eco-friendly methods
- Enforce environmental regulations (e.g., pollution control, conservation of water and soil)
- Support research and innovation in sustainable farming techniques
- Foster rural development through training and infrastructure improvement
4. Agricultural Organizations and Cooperatives
These entities play a role in:
- Providing education, resources, and tools to help farmers adopt sustainable practices
- Facilitating knowledge-sharing and collaboration among farmers
- Promoting certifications like Organic, Fair Trade, or Rainforest Alliance to ensure sustainable products reach consumers
- Offering technical support and creating marketplaces for sustainable products
5. Agribusinesses and Supply Chain Partners
Businesses involved in the agricultural supply chain (e.g., seed companies, input suppliers, distributors) need to:
- Promote sustainable practices within their operations and among their suppliers
- Develop and distribute sustainable farming products (e.g., eco-friendly pesticides, organic seeds)
- Create transparent supply chains that ensure the sustainability of raw materials and finished products
6. Environmental and Conservation Organizations
These organizations advocate for sustainable agriculture because it:
- Helps preserve ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and biodiversity
- Reduces the environmental impact of farming on air, water, and soil quality
- Supports conservation efforts by implementing sustainable land use practices
7. Researchers and Scientists
Agricultural researchers and scientists play a key role in:
- Developing new sustainable farming techniques, such as crop varieties that require fewer resources or resist pests naturally
- Studying the effects of farming practices on ecosystems and advising on best practices for minimizing harm
- Supporting the development of technologies that make farming more efficient and less harmful to the environment
8. Local Communities
Local communities are essential because they:
- Benefit from sustainable agriculture practices through improved local food systems and better access to nutritious food
- Play a role in preserving local ecosystems and maintaining the agricultural heritage of a region
- May rely on agricultural employment, and thus the viability of sustainable farming practices is crucial for job security and economic development
9. Future Generations
Sustainable agriculture is critical for ensuring that future generations inherit a planet with productive land, clean water, and healthy ecosystems. It ensures the continued availability of food, fiber, and other essential resources while minimizing environmental damage and mitigating climate change.
In summary, sustainable agriculture is required by everyone who is involved in food production, consumption, and the preservation of the environment. It is an essential strategy for achieving long-term environmental health, economic stability, and social well-being.
When is required Sustainable Agriculture ?
Sustainable agriculture is required immediately and in the long-term due to several urgent and ongoing global challenges. Here are key reasons why sustainable agriculture is essential:
1. Climate Change and Environmental Degradation
- Urgency: Climate change is causing unpredictable weather patterns, extreme events like droughts and floods, and rising temperatures. These changes affect crop yields and food security, making it necessary to adopt agricultural practices that can adapt to and mitigate climate impacts.
- Long-term Need: To safeguard the environment for future generations, sustainable agriculture reduces carbon emissions, promotes carbon sequestration, and protects ecosystems.
2. Soil Health and Fertility Depletion
- Urgency: Over-farming, excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and monoculture farming have caused soil degradation. Soil fertility is declining, and without healthy soils, agriculture cannot thrive.
- Long-term Need: Sustainable practices like crop rotation, organic farming, and no-till methods help rebuild soil fertility, ensuring agricultural productivity for future generations.
3. Water Scarcity
- Urgency: Water is a limited resource, and over-extraction for agriculture is leading to water shortages in many regions. Unsustainable irrigation practices exacerbate this issue.
- Long-term Need: Sustainable agriculture promotes water conservation techniques, such as drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and water-efficient crops, to ensure sufficient water availability in the future.
4. Biodiversity Loss
- Urgency: Agricultural expansion and monoculture farming are major drivers of biodiversity loss, threatening ecosystems and species. Maintaining biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem stability and food security.
- Long-term Need: Sustainable farming practices, such as agroforestry and integrating diverse crops and livestock, help preserve biodiversity and the balance of ecosystems.
5. Food Security
- Urgency: The global population is expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, increasing demand for food. Without sustainable agriculture, the world may not be able to meet the rising food demands while protecting the environment.
- Long-term Need: Sustainable agriculture ensures that food production can continue at a high level without depleting the planet’s resources, ensuring future food security.
6. Economic Resilience
- Urgency: Many farmers, particularly small-scale farmers, are facing economic pressures due to rising input costs, market volatility, and climate change impacts. Without a shift to more sustainable methods, the agricultural industry may face long-term financial instability.
- Long-term Need: Sustainable farming offers farmers the opportunity to reduce input costs, improve yields, and increase profits by focusing on efficiency and resilience.
7. Health of Consumers
- Urgency: The overuse of chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers in conventional farming methods poses risks to human health and the environment.
- Long-term Need: Sustainable agriculture prioritizes the use of organic or eco-friendly practices, which lead to safer food production and better health outcomes for consumers.
8. Global Challenges (Social Justice and Equity)
- Urgency: Many farmers, especially in developing countries, face poverty, lack of access to resources, and unfair market conditions. Unsustainable agriculture often exacerbates these challenges.
- Long-term Need: Sustainable agriculture can create more equitable food systems, provide fair wages to workers, and improve rural livelihoods by focusing on ethical practices and fair trade principles.
9. Sustainability of Future Generations
- Urgency: Today’s agricultural practices are depleting natural resources that future generations will depend on. Without a shift to sustainable methods, the land, water, and biodiversity that support agriculture may be lost.
- Long-term Need: Sustainable agriculture is a vital step to ensure that future generations inherit a healthy and productive planet capable of providing the resources needed for their survival.
In conclusion, sustainable agriculture is required right now due to the increasing urgency of addressing climate change, environmental degradation, food security, and social equity challenges. Its importance will only grow over time, making it essential to transition toward sustainable farming practices for the long-term health of people, the planet, and the economy
COURTESY : Dynamic Earth Learning
Where is required Sustainable Agriculture ?
Sustainable agriculture is required everywhere across the globe, as it addresses universal challenges related to food security, environmental health, economic resilience, and social equity. However, its importance is particularly pronounced in specific regions and contexts due to varying pressures on the agricultural system. Here are the key areas where sustainable agriculture is especially needed:
1. Regions Facing Climate Change Impacts
- Where: Areas vulnerable to extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods, heatwaves, and changing rainfall patterns. This includes regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh), the Middle East, and parts of Southern Europe.
- Why: These regions are highly susceptible to climate change and need agricultural practices that can help mitigate the effects, such as drought-resistant crops, water conservation techniques, and diversified farming systems.
2. Water-Scarce Regions
- Where: Arid and semi-arid regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, Western United States, Australia, and parts of India and China.
- Why: Water scarcity is a critical challenge in these areas, where over-extraction of water for agriculture exacerbates the problem. Sustainable practices like drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and improved water management techniques are essential to conserve this vital resource.
3. Regions with Soil Degradation
- Where: Regions affected by soil erosion, desertification, and loss of soil fertility. This includes parts of Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.
- Why: Soil degradation due to over-farming, deforestation, and poor land management practices leads to reduced crop yields and food insecurity. Sustainable farming techniques, such as crop rotation, agroforestry, and organic farming, are needed to restore soil health.
4. Tropical Regions and Rainforests
- Where: Tropical regions, especially in Southeast Asia, Central and South America (Brazil, Indonesia, and parts of Africa).
- Why: These areas face high rates of deforestation due to unsustainable agriculture practices, particularly palm oil, soy, and cattle ranching. Sustainable agriculture is needed to promote agroforestry, responsible land use, and the conservation of biodiversity and rainforests.
5. Developing Countries with Smallholder Farms
- Where: Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
- Why: Many smallholder farmers in developing countries lack access to modern farming technologies, capital, and knowledge about sustainable practices. Implementing sustainable farming methods can improve food security, income, and community resilience to climate change while enhancing environmental conservation.
6. Industrialized Agricultural Regions
- Where: North America (USA, Canada), Europe (e.g., France, Spain), and parts of Australia.
- Why: These regions face environmental challenges from large-scale industrial agriculture, such as excessive pesticide use, monoculture farming, and pollution from fertilizers. Sustainable agriculture is needed to transition to more eco-friendly practices, reduce carbon emissions, and maintain biodiversity.
7. Urban Areas with Agricultural Demand
- Where: Urban centers and peri-urban areas worldwide.
- Why: With the global population increasingly living in cities, urban agriculture can play a role in food security. Techniques like vertical farming, community gardens, and urban hydroponics can promote local food production, reduce the carbon footprint of food transportation, and improve access to fresh produce.
8. Indigenous and Rural Communities
- Where: Rural and indigenous areas globally, including parts of North and South America, Africa, and Asia.
- Why: These communities often depend on traditional agricultural methods, but their lands are under threat from commercial farming practices and climate change. Sustainable agriculture is needed to empower these communities by protecting their land, preserving traditional knowledge, and promoting biodiversity.
9. Regions with Economic Challenges in Agriculture
- Where: Rural and economically disadvantaged areas in both developing and developed nations, such as parts of Eastern Europe, South America, and rural regions in India, China, and Africa.
- Why: These areas often struggle with poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to resources. Sustainable agricultural practices can improve livelihoods, reduce poverty, and ensure food security by supporting smallholder farms and creating fair economic opportunities.
10. Global Supply Chains and Export-Oriented Agriculture
- Where: Countries engaged in large-scale agricultural exports, such as Brazil, Argentina, India, and Thailand.
- Why: The global demand for agricultural products often leads to unsustainable practices, including deforestation and exploitation of workers. Sustainable agriculture is needed to ensure that international supply chains promote responsible practices that do not harm the environment or local communities.
11. Coastal and Marine Areas
- Where: Coastal regions and islands, such as Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands.
- Why: Coastal areas face threats from unsustainable aquaculture, overfishing, and land-use practices that degrade marine ecosystems. Sustainable practices in fisheries, aquaculture, and agriculture can help protect coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, coral reefs, and coastal wetlands.
12. Forested Areas and Conservation Zones
- Where: Global hotspots for biodiversity conservation, including the Amazon Rainforest, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia.
- Why: Sustainable agriculture is needed to prevent further deforestation and habitat destruction. Agroforestry and land-use planning help integrate farming with forest conservation, allowing local communities to benefit from both while protecting the environment.
Conclusion
Sustainable agriculture is required globally, with specific focus on regions facing environmental degradation, water scarcity, climate change, and socio-economic challenges. By implementing sustainable practices, we can ensure food security, protect ecosystems, and create resilient agricultural systems for both present and future generations.
How is required Sustainable Agriculture ?
Sustainable agriculture is required in various ways to ensure the long-term viability of farming systems, protect the environment, and promote social and economic equity. Here’s how sustainable agriculture is essential:
1. Adopting Environmentally Friendly Practices
- How: Sustainable agriculture involves practices that minimize environmental harm. These include reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, promoting organic farming, and utilizing crop rotation and agroforestry to enhance soil health and biodiversity.
- Why: This reduces soil degradation, prevents water contamination, conserves biodiversity, and mitigates climate change impacts.
2. Enhancing Water Use Efficiency
- How: Sustainable farming practices implement water-efficient irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting. These techniques help conserve water and reduce waste, especially in water-scarce regions.
- Why: Water is a critical resource for agriculture, and its inefficient use leads to water scarcity, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.
3. Promoting Soil Health and Fertility
- How: Techniques like crop rotation, agroecology, reduced tillage, and the use of compost and organic fertilizers help to restore and maintain soil fertility.
- Why: Healthy soils are crucial for sustainable crop production. Over-farming, improper use of chemicals, and monoculture deplete soil nutrients, leading to decreased yields and increased dependency on external inputs.
4. Minimizing Carbon Footprint
- How: Sustainable agriculture reduces greenhouse gas emissions through practices like no-till farming, organic farming, agroforestry, and the use of renewable energy on farms (e.g., solar, wind).
- Why: Reducing emissions from agriculture helps mitigate climate change, a critical global issue impacting weather patterns, crop yields, and food security.
5. Improving Biodiversity Conservation
- How: Integrating a variety of crops, livestock, and natural habitats (e.g., wild pollinators, beneficial insects) into agricultural systems helps to preserve biodiversity. Sustainable practices also include the protection of wetlands, forests, and other critical ecosystems.
- Why: Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem services such as pollination, pest control, and soil fertility. Loss of biodiversity threatens agricultural productivity and ecosystem health.
6. Reducing Waste and Promoting Circular Systems
- How: Sustainable agriculture embraces practices like composting farm waste, reducing food loss, and recycling agricultural byproducts to create value-added products.
- Why: Reducing food waste and promoting circular farming systems helps minimize resource consumption and environmental damage, contributing to more resilient food systems.
7. Improving Food Security
- How: By implementing diversified farming systems, sustainable agriculture increases the availability of a wide range of nutritious foods while maintaining ecological balance.
- Why: Ensuring diverse and stable food production is crucial for meeting the growing global demand for food, especially in the face of population growth and climate change.
8. Supporting Local Communities and Fair Trade
- How: Sustainable agriculture emphasizes fair trade, empowering local communities through fair wages, better working conditions, and economic development opportunities. It also encourages local food systems to reduce dependency on global supply chains.
- Why: It ensures that farming remains economically viable for farmers and rural communities while promoting social equity.
9. Encouraging Economic Viability
- How: Sustainable farming systems help reduce dependency on expensive chemical inputs and external resources. Practices like agroforestry, integrated pest management (IPM), and using indigenous knowledge can help reduce costs and increase the resilience of farm economies.
- Why: By fostering economic resilience and profitability, sustainable agriculture supports long-term livelihoods for farmers and ensures that farming remains a viable and attractive career.
10. Transitioning from Conventional to Sustainable Practices
- How: The transition involves training farmers on sustainable techniques, offering incentives or subsidies for sustainable practices, and developing policies that promote sustainability in agriculture.
- Why: Traditional farming methods are often unsustainable and degrade the environment, so transitioning to more sustainable methods is necessary for the long-term health of the planet and society.
11. Promoting Resilience to Climate Change
- How: Sustainable agriculture builds resilience by diversifying crops, utilizing drought-resistant varieties, and applying adaptive management strategies to deal with changing climate conditions.
- Why: The agriculture sector is highly vulnerable to climate change, and sustainable practices help mitigate risks, ensuring that farming systems can withstand unpredictable weather patterns and changing environmental conditions.
12. Ensuring Ethical and Humane Treatment of Animals
- How: Sustainable agriculture includes humane animal husbandry practices, where animals are raised with proper care, on sustainable feed, and with minimal stress.
- Why: Ethical treatment of animals is vital for reducing environmental and social impacts. It ensures that farming systems are aligned with ethical principles and meet consumer demand for cruelty-free products.
Conclusion
Sustainable agriculture is required to preserve the environment, ensure food security, support rural economies, and promote social equity. It provides solutions to critical challenges such as soil degradation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and climate change. By adopting sustainable farming practices, we can create a resilient, fair, and productive agricultural system that will meet the needs of present and future generations.
Case study is Sustainable Agriculture ?
Case Study: Sustainable Agriculture in Sikkim, India
Background: Sikkim, a state in northeastern India, is a prime example of a successful transition to sustainable agriculture. The state is renowned for its efforts to become the first fully organic state in India, with over 75,000 hectares of farmland converted to organic farming. The shift towards organic farming in Sikkim has been a gradual process, starting in 2003 when the state government announced its vision to promote organic agriculture for environmental sustainability, farmer welfare, and healthy food production.
Key Components of Sustainable Agriculture in Sikkim:
1. Conversion to Organic Farming:
- How It Was Done: Sikkim’s government implemented a state-wide initiative to transition conventional farming to organic farming. The state provided financial support to farmers, along with training programs, organic certification assistance, and infrastructure for the marketing of organic produce.
- Success Factors:
- Community mobilization and farmer participation.
- The creation of a state-level certification body for organic farming.
- Government policy support, including subsidies for organic inputs and crop insurance.
2. Agroecological Practices:
- Farmers in Sikkim practice crop diversification and agroforestry to restore soil health, increase biodiversity, and reduce dependence on external inputs like chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Techniques such as composting, mulching, and green manuring help to build healthy soils and reduce soil erosion, which is crucial in the hilly terrain of Sikkim.
- Intercropping is also widely practiced to ensure food security and improve the resilience of farming systems to pests and diseases.
3. Water Management and Irrigation:
- In response to challenges of water scarcity, Sikkim has promoted rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation systems, and the use of traditional water management practices.
- Sikkim also emphasizes organic farming practices that require less water-intensive irrigation compared to conventional farming methods.
4. Biodiversity Conservation:
- Sikkim has integrated biodiversity conservation into its farming systems by preserving and enhancing local ecosystems. This includes growing native and indigenous crops that are better suited to local environmental conditions.
- The state has a rich tradition of conserving wild plants, and farmers often cultivate herbs and medicinal plants, contributing to biodiversity while generating income.
5. Local Food Systems and Market Access:
- Sikkim has encouraged the production of organic food products such as fruits, vegetables, rice, and spices for local consumption and export.
- The government established organic markets, supported by state-run cooperatives, which allow farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers, ensuring fair prices and reducing the role of middlemen.
- Farmers also get access to organic certification which allows them to sell their produce in both domestic and international markets.
6. Education and Extension Services:
- A major success factor has been the extensive training programs and extension services provided to farmers to help them transition to organic farming. The state government organized workshops, farmer training centers, and agricultural colleges to spread awareness of sustainable practices.
- The state also collaborated with NGOs and international organizations for technical expertise and resources.
7. Financial Support and Incentives:
- The government offered subsidies for organic farming inputs, including seeds, organic fertilizers, and tools. They also provided financial incentives for the establishment of organic certification units and processing facilities.
- Insurance programs were introduced to reduce the risk for farmers and offer protection in case of crop failure.
Challenges Faced:
- Initial Resistance: Some farmers initially resisted the move to organic farming due to concerns over yield losses, labor intensity, and the transition period required to convert land from conventional to organic.
- Market Access: Although organic farming has been encouraged, marketing organic produce to distant markets, particularly for export, remains a challenge due to inadequate infrastructure.
- Cost of Transition: The initial costs of transitioning to organic farming can be high for farmers, including the cost of certification, training, and infrastructure.
Impact of Sustainable Agriculture in Sikkim:
1. Environmental Benefits:
- Reduced chemical pollution: The shift to organic farming has significantly reduced the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, leading to cleaner water sources, improved soil quality, and better overall environmental health.
- Biodiversity conservation: By adopting agroecological practices and growing a wider variety of crops, farmers are protecting ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity.
2. Economic Benefits:
- Increased income: Organic produce commands a premium price, which has helped farmers earn more than they would under conventional farming practices.
- Boosted tourism: Sikkim has promoted itself as an organic farming destination, attracting eco-tourists and health-conscious consumers interested in organic food.
3. Social Benefits:
- Improved health: Organic farming promotes the production of nutritious food without harmful chemicals, leading to healthier diets for the population.
- Farmer empowerment: Through training, subsidies, and certification programs, farmers have gained better control over their agricultural practices and have been able to access new markets for their produce.
- Women’s empowerment: Women, who play a central role in Sikkim’s agriculture, have benefitted from training and financial inclusion initiatives tied to sustainable agriculture.
Conclusion:
The Sikkim case study demonstrates how sustainable agriculture can be successfully implemented on a large scale. With strong government support, education, and financial incentives, the state has managed to transition to a fully organic agricultural system. Sikkim’s experience offers valuable insights for other regions looking to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, balancing environmental health, economic growth, and social equity. It highlights the need for a supportive policy framework, market access, and training for farmers to succeed in implementing sustainable agriculture on a large scale.
COURTESY : SARE Outreach
White paper on Sustainable Agriculture ?
White Paper on Sustainable Agriculture
Executive Summary
Sustainable agriculture is a vital solution to the challenges posed by climate change, population growth, and environmental degradation. As the global population is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, the need for sustainable food production becomes even more pressing. This white paper outlines the principles of sustainable agriculture, its significance in addressing global food security and environmental issues, and its potential to foster economic and social development. It also discusses the key challenges and offers strategies to implement sustainable practices across the agricultural sector.
Introduction
Agriculture is at the crossroads of some of the world’s most urgent issues, including food security, environmental sustainability, economic development, and social equity. As traditional agricultural practices have led to soil degradation, water pollution, loss of biodiversity, and greenhouse gas emissions, the need for sustainable farming systems has never been more critical.
Sustainable agriculture aims to meet the food needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It incorporates environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable practices that ensure long-term food security while maintaining ecological balance.
Key Principles of Sustainable Agriculture
- Environmental Stewardship
Sustainable agriculture minimizes the use of synthetic inputs such as pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers, opting for organic and natural alternatives. It emphasizes the preservation of ecosystems, soil fertility, water resources, and biodiversity. - Economic Viability
It ensures that farming remains profitable for farmers in the long term. By reducing dependency on costly external inputs and focusing on local resources, sustainable agriculture helps farmers increase their resilience to market fluctuations and environmental stresses. - Social Equity
Sustainable agriculture ensures fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to education and resources for farming communities. It promotes the well-being of rural populations, improves their livelihoods, and empowers marginalized groups, including women. - Food Security
Sustainable farming systems produce diverse, nutritious, and resilient crops. By focusing on local food production, it reduces dependence on global supply chains, increases food sovereignty, and enhances food security.
The Importance of Sustainable Agriculture
- Addressing Climate Change
- Agriculture is both a contributor to and a victim of climate change. Sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroforestry, conservation tillage, and organic farming, can significantly reduce carbon emissions and enhance carbon sequestration in soils, helping mitigate the effects of climate change.
- Conserving Natural Resources
- Sustainable agriculture practices protect vital resources, such as water, soil, and biodiversity. Methods like rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation, crop rotation, and integrated pest management (IPM) reduce resource consumption and prevent land degradation.
- Improving Food Security
- By adopting diverse farming systems and utilizing locally adapted crops, sustainable agriculture increases food production and resilience. It helps address the challenges of feeding a growing population, ensuring that food systems remain reliable and robust, even in the face of environmental stressors.
- Economic Resilience for Farmers
- Sustainable agriculture reduces the reliance on external inputs, making farming systems more economically self-sufficient. It also creates new opportunities for farmers to diversify their incomes, such as through organic certification or the production of high-value crops.
- Health and Nutrition
- The shift toward organic farming and sustainable food production systems leads to healthier diets for consumers, as it reduces exposure to harmful pesticides and encourages the consumption of nutrient-dense foods.
Challenges in Implementing Sustainable Agriculture
- Financial Barriers
- Transitioning to sustainable agricultural practices often requires upfront investment in new technology, training, and certification. Smallholder farmers may face challenges in accessing capital, subsidies, or credit for these changes.
- Knowledge and Training Gaps
- Farmers may lack the knowledge, skills, or access to training in sustainable agricultural practices. Extension services and education programs need to be enhanced to support widespread adoption.
- Market Access and Infrastructure
- Sustainable agriculture products, such as organic foods, require specific certification, labeling, and market channels. Accessing markets for these products can be difficult without proper infrastructure and logistics.
- Policy and Regulatory Support
- While some governments have introduced favorable policies for sustainable agriculture, more comprehensive policies are required to incentivize and regulate sustainable practices. Public and private sector collaboration is essential for the creation of an enabling environment.
- Climate Variability
- The unpredictability of weather patterns due to climate change poses risks to agricultural productivity. Sustainable agriculture must incorporate adaptive strategies to manage the impacts of climate change on crop production.
Strategies for Promoting Sustainable Agriculture
- Policy and Government Support
- Governments must develop policies that support sustainable agricultural practices, including subsidies for eco-friendly inputs, technical training, and infrastructure development for organic farming.
- International trade agreements should promote the exchange of sustainably produced food products and ensure market access for sustainable farmers.
- Farmer Education and Capacity Building
- Agricultural extension services and training programs should be strengthened to provide farmers with the knowledge and tools to adopt sustainable practices.
- Providing farmers with access to research, technology, and innovations can improve productivity while minimizing environmental impact.
- Incentives for Sustainable Practices
- Financial incentives such as grants, subsidies, and low-interest loans can encourage farmers to transition to sustainable practices. Incentives should also support research and development of new technologies for sustainable farming.
- Promotion of Organic and Local Markets
- Governments and NGOs should help farmers access organic certification programs and open direct market channels for locally grown, sustainably produced food.
- Consumer awareness campaigns about the benefits of sustainable agriculture and organic food can drive demand for these products.
- Adopting Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices
- Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) integrates sustainable practices with climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. This includes soil conservation, water management, crop diversification, and agroforestry to build resilience against climate change.
- Collaborative Approaches
- Collaboration between governments, farmers, researchers, and the private sector can create integrated solutions for sustainable agriculture. Multi-stakeholder platforms can facilitate knowledge exchange, provide funding, and develop solutions tailored to local contexts.
Conclusion
Sustainable agriculture offers a promising path forward in addressing the twin challenges of food security and environmental degradation. By implementing eco-friendly practices, enhancing economic resilience, and ensuring social equity, sustainable agriculture can play a key role in creating a more equitable and sustainable global food system.
However, to unlock its full potential, it is crucial to overcome financial, knowledge, and infrastructure barriers. Governments, businesses, farmers, and consumers must work together to promote sustainable agricultural practices and make them the norm rather than the exception.
The transition to sustainable agriculture is not just a necessity for the future of food security, but also an opportunity for fostering a more resilient, equitable, and environmentally responsible global agricultural system.
Recommendations for Action
- Government and Policy Engagement: Strengthen policy frameworks and provide financial incentives to support the transition to sustainable agriculture.
- Farmer Support and Education: Enhance extension services, training programs, and access to financing for smallholder farmers adopting sustainable practices.
- Research and Development: Invest in research to develop sustainable farming technologies, drought-resistant crops, and more efficient irrigation systems.
- Market Development: Expand access to markets for sustainable products, improve certification processes, and raise consumer awareness on the benefits of sustainable agriculture.
- Global Cooperation: Foster international collaboration to share best practices, knowledge, and technologies for sustainable agricultural development.
References
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports on sustainable agriculture
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) guidelines on climate-smart agriculture
- World Bank, “Agricultural Productivity and Sustainable Development”
- Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) white papers on organic agriculture
Industrial application of Sustainable Agriculture ?
Industrial Applications of Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture, while traditionally linked to small-scale farming, is increasingly being integrated into industrial agriculture and various sectors of the agricultural value chain. The industrial application of sustainable agriculture focuses on the adoption of practices and technologies that ensure long-term productivity, environmental health, and economic viability. Here are key industrial applications:
1. Precision Agriculture
Precision agriculture uses data and technology to optimize farming practices, minimizing resource use while maximizing crop yields. This application is especially important in industrial-scale farming, where sustainability can be achieved through:
- Smart Irrigation Systems: Using sensors and automated systems to ensure efficient water use, reducing water waste.
- Soil Sensors: Measuring soil moisture, temperature, and nutrient levels to guide fertilization and irrigation decisions, minimizing the use of synthetic inputs.
- Drones and Satellites: Monitoring crop health, identifying pest infestations, and assessing soil conditions, all of which allow for targeted interventions.
Benefits:
- Reduces input costs (water, fertilizers, pesticides).
- Enhances productivity and crop health.
- Minimizes environmental impact.
2. Sustainable Food Processing
The food processing industry plays a significant role in sustainable agriculture by adopting practices that reduce food waste and energy consumption. Industrial applications in this sector include:
- Waste Reduction: Upcycling agricultural by-products into valuable products, such as using fruit pulp for juice or food additives, reducing food waste.
- Energy-Efficient Processing: Implementing renewable energy sources (solar, wind) and energy-efficient technologies in food processing plants.
- Water Recycling: Using advanced filtration systems to recycle water in the processing stage, reducing water consumption and wastewater production.
- Eco-friendly Packaging: Reducing the use of single-use plastics by switching to biodegradable or recyclable packaging materials.
Benefits:
- Minimizes waste and pollution.
- Reduces the environmental footprint of food production.
- Improves the efficiency and sustainability of food processing.
3. Greenhouse Agriculture (Controlled Environment Agriculture)
Greenhouses provide a controlled environment for growing crops, reducing the need for chemical inputs and minimizing water use. The industrial application of greenhouse agriculture includes:
- Vertical Farming: Using vertically stacked layers to grow crops, optimizing space and reducing the land area needed for production.
- Hydroponics and Aquaponics: Growing crops in water without soil, using fewer resources and producing higher yields.
- LED Lighting: Using energy-efficient LEDs to promote plant growth, allowing for year-round production and reducing energy costs.
Benefits:
- Increases crop yields in smaller areas of land.
- Reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers.
- Efficient water and energy use.
4. Regenerative Agriculture in Industrial Farming
Regenerative agriculture focuses on restoring and enhancing the health and biodiversity of farming ecosystems. It involves practices that regenerate soil health, increase biodiversity, and improve water retention. Industrial-scale applications of regenerative practices include:
- Cover Cropping: Planting cover crops to protect soil from erosion, improve soil health, and enhance carbon sequestration.
- No-Till Farming: Reducing soil disturbance by avoiding tillage, which preserves soil structure and increases organic matter content.
- Agroforestry: Integrating trees and shrubs into farming systems to enhance biodiversity, improve water management, and provide additional income sources.
Benefits:
- Improves soil fertility and long-term agricultural productivity.
- Enhances biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- Increases carbon sequestration and mitigates climate change.
5. Organic Farming at an Industrial Scale
Organic farming principles, such as avoiding synthetic chemicals and focusing on soil health, can be applied to industrial agriculture through large-scale organic farming systems. The industrial application of organic farming includes:
- Crop Rotation: Diversifying crops to improve soil health, break pest cycles, and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.
- Composting: Using organic waste to produce compost for enriching soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
- Organic Certification: Obtaining certification for large-scale farms to sell organic products, ensuring that sustainability standards are met.
Benefits:
- Reduces dependency on synthetic inputs.
- Promotes soil health and reduces environmental degradation.
- Meets the growing demand for organic food.
6. Biotechnology in Sustainable Agriculture
Biotechnology offers solutions to enhance sustainability in agriculture, such as developing crops that are resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental stress. Applications of biotechnology include:
- Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Developing genetically engineered crops that require fewer pesticides, are drought-resistant, and have higher nutritional value.
- Gene Editing: Using CRISPR technology to modify the DNA of crops to improve resistance to environmental stresses, pests, and diseases.
- Biological Pest Control: Using genetically modified organisms or biological agents to control pests naturally, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
Benefits:
- Reduces the environmental impact of pesticides and herbicides.
- Increases crop yields and nutritional value.
- Promotes resilience in the face of climate change.
7. Circular Economy in Agriculture
The concept of the circular economy focuses on reducing waste and reusing resources in agricultural systems. In industrial agriculture, this involves:
- Composting Agricultural Waste: Converting crop residues, food waste, and animal manure into compost or bioenergy, which can be reintegrated into farming.
- Biogas Production: Using organic waste to produce biogas for energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Closed-Loop Systems: Designing agricultural operations where resources are cycled back into the system, reducing waste and improving sustainability.
Benefits:
- Reduces waste and creates new revenue streams.
- Promotes energy independence through biogas production.
- Increases the efficiency of resource use.
8. Sustainable Supply Chain Management
The agricultural industry, from production to retail, can adopt sustainable practices to minimize environmental and social impacts. Industrial applications of sustainable supply chain management include:
- Traceability and Transparency: Implementing systems that track the origin and sustainability practices of agricultural products, ensuring ethical sourcing.
- Sustainable Sourcing: Encouraging the use of sustainably grown products in the food and beverage industry, such as fair-trade coffee, certified sustainable palm oil, or organic cotton.
- Reducing Carbon Footprint: Optimizing transportation logistics, reducing emissions from food distribution networks, and promoting local sourcing to reduce transportation-related environmental impact.
Benefits:
- Ensures ethical sourcing and fair labor practices.
- Reduces the environmental impact of the agricultural supply chain.
- Enhances consumer trust and demand for sustainable products.
Conclusion
The industrial application of sustainable agriculture is crucial for addressing the growing demand for food, mitigating climate change, and preserving natural resources. By integrating precision technologies, sustainable practices, and innovative solutions across large-scale agricultural systems, the industry can significantly reduce its environmental footprint, improve profitability, and contribute to global sustainability goals. These applications not only benefit the environment but also provide economic opportunities, enhance food security, and promote social equity, making sustainable agriculture a critical aspect of modern industrial farming systems.
Research and development of Sustainable Agriculture ?
Research and Development (R&D) in Sustainable Agriculture
Research and development (R&D) in sustainable agriculture plays a crucial role in advancing farming practices that ensure environmental health, economic viability, and social equity. The objective of R&D is to find innovative solutions that promote long-term agricultural productivity, reduce environmental impacts, and enhance food security. The following areas represent the key focus of R&D in sustainable agriculture:
1. Soil Health and Fertility Management
Maintaining and improving soil health is at the core of sustainable agriculture. R&D in this area includes developing techniques and tools for soil conservation, fertility enhancement, and disease control.
- Soil Microbial Diversity: Research on the role of soil microbes in nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and soil fertility. Microbial inoculants are being developed to enhance soil health.
- Soil Regeneration Techniques: Techniques like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and agroforestry that regenerate soil organic matter and improve soil structure.
- Integrated Nutrient Management: Developing balanced and efficient nutrient management systems to reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers and enhance soil fertility.
Impact: Enhances soil productivity, reduces soil erosion, and increases water retention.
2. Water Management and Conservation
Water scarcity is a major issue in agriculture. R&D is focused on developing water-efficient technologies and practices to ensure optimal water use in farming systems.
- Precision Irrigation: Research into advanced irrigation technologies like drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, and automated irrigation that minimize water waste and improve water use efficiency.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Developing cost-effective and scalable methods for collecting and storing rainwater for irrigation.
- Water-Efficient Crop Varieties: Developing drought-resistant crops that require less water to grow, reducing dependency on irrigation.
Impact: Reduces water use, enhances crop resilience to drought, and ensures long-term sustainability in water-scarce regions.
3. Climate-Smart Agriculture
R&D in climate-smart agriculture focuses on developing farming practices that both mitigate and adapt to climate change.
- Climate-Resilient Crops: Research to develop crop varieties resistant to heat, drought, floods, and other extreme weather events caused by climate change. This includes the use of genetic modification and CRISPR gene editing techniques.
- Carbon Sequestration: Research into practices that increase the ability of soil and plants to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate climate change.
- Agroforestry: Investigating how integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural systems can enhance carbon sequestration, improve biodiversity, and provide climate resilience.
Impact: Helps farmers adapt to climate change, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and promotes carbon sequestration.
4. Sustainable Pest and Disease Management
Reducing the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides is a major focus of sustainable agricultural R&D. This area explores environmentally friendly methods to control pests and diseases.
- Biological Control: Research into natural pest predators, parasites, and beneficial insects to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.
- Pest-Resistant Crops: Developing genetically modified crops that are resistant to pests, thereby reducing the need for synthetic pest control measures.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Developing advanced IPM systems that combine biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical control methods in an environmentally responsible way.
Impact: Reduces chemical usage, minimizes pest resistance, and enhances biodiversity in farming systems.
5. Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)
Integrated farming systems focus on the holistic use of land, water, labor, and capital to increase farm productivity while promoting environmental sustainability.
- Agroecological Approaches: Research into agroecology, which combines traditional farming knowledge with modern science, to create sustainable farming systems that are region-specific and biodiverse.
- Livestock and Crop Integration: Developing farming systems that integrate livestock and crop production, optimizing nutrient cycling and reducing the need for external inputs.
- Aquaculture Integration: Incorporating fish farming into agricultural systems to improve nutrient cycling, reduce waste, and provide additional income streams for farmers.
Impact: Diversifies farm income, reduces environmental impact, and promotes biodiversity.
6. Renewable Energy in Agriculture
The application of renewable energy technologies in agriculture is a growing area of R&D that seeks to reduce the carbon footprint of agricultural operations.
- Solar-Powered Irrigation: Research into solar-powered pumps for irrigation systems, which help reduce energy costs and carbon emissions in regions without reliable grid access.
- Biogas Production: Developing systems to convert agricultural waste (e.g., manure, crop residues) into biogas, which can be used for cooking, electricity, or heating.
- Wind and Solar Energy: Exploring the use of wind and solar energy in farm operations, such as powering farm machinery, processing equipment, and cooling systems.
Impact: Reduces the carbon footprint of agriculture, decreases dependency on fossil fuels, and improves energy access for rural communities.
7. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
Biotechnology offers significant potential for improving crop yields, reducing inputs, and addressing climate challenges in sustainable agriculture.
- Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Development of genetically modified crops with traits such as pest resistance, drought tolerance, and improved nutritional content.
- Gene Editing (CRISPR): The use of CRISPR technology to make precise edits in crop genomes, enabling the development of crops that are more resistant to diseases, pests, and environmental stress.
- Synthetic Biology: Developing new biological systems that can be used to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability, such as engineered microorganisms that fix nitrogen or degrade waste products.
Impact: Increases crop resilience, reduces pesticide and fertilizer use, and improves food security.
8. Urban and Vertical Farming
With increasing urbanization, R&D is focusing on making agriculture more sustainable in cities through urban and vertical farming systems.
- Hydroponics and Aquaponics: Developing soil-free farming techniques like hydroponics (growing plants in nutrient-rich water) and aquaponics (combining hydroponics with fish farming).
- Vertical Farms: Research on multi-layer farming systems that allow crops to grow in vertically stacked layers, optimizing space and reducing land use.
- Urban Agriculture Policies: Research into policies that support urban farming, including zoning regulations, subsidies, and urban food systems.
Impact: Increases food production in urban areas, reduces food miles, and makes food systems more resilient to supply chain disruptions.
9. Circular Economy in Agriculture
Research on the circular economy in agriculture focuses on minimizing waste and reusing resources to create more sustainable food systems.
- Waste-to-Value Technologies: Developing technologies that convert agricultural waste (such as crop residues and food processing by-products) into valuable products like biofuels, fertilizers, or animal feed.
- Circular Supply Chains: Developing systems where food waste is minimized, nutrients are recycled, and agricultural inputs (such as compost or organic fertilizers) are sourced from waste streams.
Impact: Reduces waste, enhances resource efficiency, and contributes to a more sustainable agricultural supply chain.
Conclusion
R&D in sustainable agriculture is essential for creating farming systems that can meet the growing global demand for food while addressing environmental challenges. By focusing on soil health, water management, climate resilience, integrated pest management, renewable energy, and biotechnology, R&D efforts are driving innovations that support sustainable agricultural practices. Through continued investment in research, sustainable agriculture can transition from a niche sector to a mainstream approach that benefits farmers, the environment, and society as a whole.
COURETSY : EcoMastery Project
References
- ^ “What is sustainable agriculture | Agricultural Sustainability Institute”. asi.ucdavis.edu. 11 December 2018. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
- ^ “Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture”. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- ^ “FAO – News Article: Food systems account for more than one third of global greenhouse gas emissions”. www.fao.org. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ Crippa, M.; Solazzo, E.; Guizzardi, D.; Monforti-Ferrario, F.; Tubiello, F. N.; Leip, A. (March 2021). “Food systems are responsible for a third of global anthropogenic GHG emissions”. Nature Food. 2 (3): 198–209. doi:10.1038/s43016-021-00225-9. ISSN 2662-1355. PMID 37117443.
- ^ Brown, L. R. (2012). World on the Edge. Earth Policy Institute. Norton. ISBN 978-1-136-54075-2.[page needed]
- ^ Jump up to:a b Rockström, Johan; Williams, John; Daily, Gretchen; Noble, Andrew; Matthews, Nathanial; Gordon, Line; Wetterstrand, Hanna; DeClerck, Fabrice; Shah, Mihir (2016-05-13). “Sustainable intensification of agriculture for human prosperity and global sustainability”. Ambio. 46 (1): 4–17. doi:10.1007/s13280-016-0793-6. PMC 5226894. PMID 27405653.
- ^ Falk, Ben (2013). The Resilient Farm and Homestead: An Innovative Permaculture and Whole Systems Design Approach. Chelsea Green. p. 61–78. ISBN 978-1-60358-444-9.
- ^ “Shifting to Sustainable Diets”. United Nations. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ Rose, Donald; Heller, Martin C.; Roberto, Christina A. (1 January 2019). “Position of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior: The Importance of Including Environmental Sustainability in Dietary Guidance”. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 51 (1): 3–15.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2018.07.006. ISSN 1499-4046. PMC 6326035. PMID 30635107.
- ^ Meybeck, Alexandre; Gitz, Vincent (February 2017). “Sustainable diets within sustainable food systems”. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 76 (1): 1–11. doi:10.1017/S0029665116000653. ISSN 0029-6651. PMID 28195528. S2CID 12459197.
- ^ Sun, Zhongxiao; Scherer, Laura; Tukker, Arnold; Spawn-Lee, Seth A.; Bruckner, Martin; Gibbs, Holly K.; Behrens, Paul (January 2022). “Dietary change in high-income nations alone can lead to substantial double climate dividend”. Nature Food. 3 (1): 29–37. doi:10.1038/s43016-021-00431-5. ISSN 2662-1355. PMID 37118487. S2CID 245867412.
- ^ Jump up to:a b “Sustainable agriculture for a better world”.
- ^ “National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977” (PDF). US Department of Agriculture. 13 November 2002.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Pilgeram, Ryanne (February 2013). “The Political and Economic Consequences of Defining Sustainable Agriculture in the US”. Sociology Compass. 7 (2): 123–134. doi:10.1111/soc4.12015. ISSN 1751-9020.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Ehrlich, Paul R.; Ehrlich, Anne H.; Daily, Gretchen C. (1993). “Food Security, Population and Environment”. Population and Development Review. 19 (1): 1–32. doi:10.2307/2938383. JSTOR 2938383.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Singh, R., Upadhyay, S., Srivastava, P., Raghubanshi, A. S., & Singh, P. (2017). Human Overpopulation and Food Security: Challenges for the Agriculture Sustainability.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Pretty, Jules N. (March 2008). “Agricultural sustainability: concepts, principles and evidence”. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences. 363 (1491): 447–465. doi:10.1098/rstb.2007.2163. ISSN 0962-8436. PMC 2610163. PMID 17652074.
- ^ Stenholm, Charles; Waggoner, Daniel (February 1990). “Low-input, sustainable agriculture: Myth or method?”. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 45 (1): 14. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ Tomich, Tom (2016). Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (PDF). Davis, California: University of California. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-09. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
- ^ Chrispeels, M. J.; Sadava, D. E. (1994). “Farming Systems: Development, Productivity, and Sustainability”. Plants, Genes, and Agriculture. Jones and Bartlett. pp. 25–57. ISBN 978-0867208719.
- ^ Albaaji, Ghassan Faisal; S.S., Vinod Chandra (October 2023). “Artificial intelligence SoS framework for sustainable agricultural production”. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 213: 108182. doi:10.1016/j.compag.2023.108182.
- ^ Liu, Zhanjun; Chen, Zhujun; Ma, Pengyi; Meng, Yan; Zhou, Jianbin (2017-11-01). “Effects of tillage, mulching and N management on yield, water productivity, N uptake and residual soil nitrate in a long-term wheat-summer maize cropping system”. Field Crops Research. 213: 154–164. Bibcode:2017FCrRe.213..154L. doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2017.08.006. ISSN 0378-4290.
- ^ Singh, Ajay (2020). “Salinization and drainage problems of agricultural land”. Irrigation and Drainage. 69 (4): 844–853. Bibcode:2020IrrDr..69..844S. doi:10.1002/ird.2477. ISSN 1531-0361. S2CID 219502253.
- ^ Xia, Yinfeng; Zhang, Ming; Tsang, Daniel C. W.; Geng, Nan; Lu, Debao; Zhu, Lifang; Igalavithana, Avanthi Deshani; Dissanayake, Pavani Dulanja; Rinklebe, Jörg; Yang, Xiao; Ok, Yong Sik (2020-02-04). “Recent advances in control technologies for non-point source pollution with nitrogen and phosphorous (sic) from agricultural runoff: current practices and future prospects”. Applied Biological Chemistry. 63 (1): 8. doi:10.1186/s13765-020-0493-6. hdl:10397/82228. ISSN 2468-0842.
- ^ “Why are rainforests being destroyed?”. Rainforest Concern. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
- ^ Rao, E. V. S. Prakasa; Puttanna, K. (2000). “Nitrates, agriculture and environment”. Current Science. 79 (9): 1163–1168. ISSN 0011-3891. JSTOR 24105267.
- ^ Petersen, S. O.; Sommer, S. G.; Béline, F.; Burton, C.; Dach, J.; Dourmad, J. Y.; Leip, A.; Misselbrook, T.; Nicholson, F.; Poulsen, H. D.; Provolo, G. (2007-12-01). “Recycling of livestock manure in a whole-farm perspective”. Livestock Science. 112 (3): 180–191. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2007.09.001. ISSN 1871-1413.
- ^ Mahmud, Kishan; Makaju, Shiva; Ibrahim, Razi; Missaoui, Ali (2020). “Current Progress in Nitrogen Fixing Plants and Microbiome Research”. Plants. 9 (1): 97. doi:10.3390/plants9010097. PMC 7020401. PMID 31940996.
- ^ Pankievicz, Vânia C. S.; Irving, Thomas B.; Maia, Lucas G. S.; Ané, Jean-Michel (2019-12-03). “Are we there yet? The long walk towards the development of efficient symbiotic associations between nitrogen-fixing bacteria and non-leguminous crops”. BMC Biology. 17 (1): 99. doi:10.1186/s12915-019-0710-0. ISSN 1741-7007. PMC 6889567. PMID 31796086.
- ^ “Scientists discover genetics of nitrogen fixation in plants – potential implications for future agriculture”. News.mongabay.com. 2008-03-08. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
- ^ Gherbi, Hassen; Markmann, Katharina; Svistoonoff, Sergio; Estevan, Joan; Autran, Daphné; Giczey, Gabor; Auguy, Florence; Péret, Benjamin; Laplaze, Laurent; Franche, Claudine; Parniske, Martin; Bogusz, Didier (2008). “SymRK defines a common genetic basis for plant root endosymbioses with arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi, rhizobia, and Frankia bacteria”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 105 (12): 4928–4932. doi:10.1073/pnas.0710618105. PMC 2290763. PMID 18316735.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d e Atekan, A.; Nuraini, Y.; Handayanto, E.; Syekhfani, S. (2014-07-07). “The potential of phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from sugarcane wastes for solubilizing phosphate”. Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management. 1 (4): 175–182. doi:10.15243/jdmlm.2014.014.175.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Khan, Mohammad Saghir; Zaidi, Almas; Wani, Parvaze A. (2007-03-01). “Role of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms in sustainable agriculture — A review” (PDF). Agronomy for Sustainable Development. 27 (1): 29–43. doi:10.1051/agro:2006011. ISSN 1774-0746. S2CID 22096957.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Cordell, Dana; White, Stuart (2013-01-31). “Sustainable Phosphorus Measures: Strategies and Technologies for Achieving Phosphorus Security”. Agronomy. 3 (1): 86–116. doi:10.3390/agronomy3010086. hdl:10453/30505.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c Sharma, Seema B.; Sayyed, Riyaz Z.; Trivedi, Mrugesh H.; Gobi, Thivakaran A. (2013-10-31). “Phosphate solubilizing microbes: sustainable approach for managing phosphorus deficiency in agricultural soils”. SpringerPlus. 2: 587. doi:10.1186/2193-1801-2-587. PMC 4320215. PMID 25674415.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Bhattacharya, Amitav (2019). “Chapter 5 – Changing Environmental Condition and Phosphorus-Use Efficiency in Plants”. Changing Climate and Resource Use Efficiency in Plants. Academic Press. pp. 241–305. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-816209-5.00005-2. ISBN 978-0-12-816209-5. S2CID 134119450.
- ^ Green, B.W. (2015). “2 – Fertilizers in aquaculture”. Feed and Feeding Practices in Aquaculture. Woodhead Publishing. pp. 27–52. doi:10.1016/B978-0-08-100506-4.00002-7. ISBN 978-0-08-100506-4. S2CID 128113857.
- ^ IFDC.org – IFDC Report Indicates Adequate Phosphorus Resources Archived 2020-01-27 at the Wayback Machine, Sep-2010
- ^ Jasinski, SM (January 2017). Mineral Commodity Summaries (PDF). U.S. Geological Survey.
- ^ Van Kauwenbergh, Steven J. (2010). World Phosphate Rock Reserves and Resources. Muscle Shoals, AL, USA: International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC). p. 60. ISBN 978-0-88090-167-3. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ Edixhoven, J.D.; Gupta, J.; Savenije, H.H.G. (2013). “Recent revisions of phosphate rock reserves and resources: reassuring or misleading? An in-depth literature review of global estimates of phosphate rock reserves and resources”. Earth System Dynamics. 5 (2): 491–507. Bibcode:2014ESD…..5..491E. doi:10.5194/esd-5-491-2014.
- ^ Cordell, Dana (2009). “The story of phosphorus: Global food security and food for thought”. Global Environmental Change. 19 (2): 292–305. Bibcode:2009GEC….19..292C. doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2008.10.009. S2CID 1450932.
- ^ Cordell, Dana & Stuart White 2011. Review: Peak Phosphorus: Clarifying the Key Issues of a Vigorous Debate about Long-Term Phosphorus Security. Sustainability 2011, 3(10), 2027-2049; doi:10.3390/su3102027, http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/3/10/2027/htm
- ^ “Potassium for crop production”. extension.umn.edu. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
- ^ “Potash Price Close to all time highs – Future Outlook” (PDF). 2009-09-18. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2009-09-18. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
- ^ Silva, José Tadeu Alves da; Pereira, Rosimeire Dantas; Silva, Inez Pereira; Oliveira, Polyanna Mara de (2011). “Produção da bananeira ‘Prata anã'(AAB) em função de diferentes doses e fontes de potássio”. Revista Ceres (in Portuguese). 58 (6): 817–822. doi:10.1590/S0034-737X2011000600020. ISSN 0034-737X.
- ^ “INFORMaÇÕES E aNáLISES Da ECONOMIa MINERaL BRaSILEIRa” (PDF). www.ibram.org.br. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
- ^ Vieira Megda, Michele Xavier; Mariano, Eduardo; Leite, José Marcos; Megda, Marcio Mahmoud; Ocheuze Trivelin, Paulo Cesar (2014-05-01). “Chloride ion as nitrification inhibitor and its biocidal potential in soils”. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 72: 84–87. Bibcode:2014SBiBi..72…84V. doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2014.01.030. ISSN 0038-0717.
- ^ Geilfus, Christoph-Martin (2018-05-01). “Chloride: from Nutrient to Toxicant”. Plant and Cell Physiology. 59 (5): 877–886. doi:10.1093/pcp/pcy071. ISSN 0032-0781. PMID 29660029.
- ^ Pereira, David Gabriel Campos; Santana, Isadora Alves; Megda, Marcio Mahmoud; Megda, Michele Xavier Vieira; Pereira, David Gabriel Campos; Santana, Isadora Alves; Megda, Marcio Mahmoud; Megda, Michele Xavier Vieira (2019). “Potassium chloride: impacts on soil microbial activity and nitrogen mineralization”. Ciência Rural. 49 (5). doi:10.1590/0103-8478cr20180556. ISSN 0103-8478.
- ^ Cruz, Jailson Lopes; Pelacani, Claudinéia Regina; Coelho, Eugênio Ferreira; Caldas, Ranulfo Correa; Almeida, Adriana Queiroz de; Queiroz, Jurema Rosa de (2006). “Influência da salinidade sobre o crescimento, absorção e distribuição de sódio, cloro e macronutrientes em plântulas de maracujazeiro-amarelo”. Bragantia. 65 (2): 275–284. doi:10.1590/S0006-87052006000200009. ISSN 0006-8705.
- ^ Hue, N.V.; Silva, J.A. (2000). “Organic Soil Amendments for Sustainable Agriculture: Organic Sources of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium”. Plant Nutrient Management in Hawaii’s Soils, Approaches for Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture (PDF). Manoa: University of Hawaii at Manoa. pp. 133–144.
- ^ Doval, Calvin (2018-12-11). “What is Sustainable Agriculture?”. Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
- ^ Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change and Land: an IPCC special report on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems (PDF). Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 2019. p. 5. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- ^ Gomiero, Tiziano; Pimentel, David; Paoletti, Maurizio G. (2011-01-01). “Is There a Need for a More Sustainable Agriculture?”. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. 30 (1–2): 6–23. Bibcode:2011CRvPS..30….6G. doi:10.1080/07352689.2011.553515. ISSN 0735-2689. S2CID 62840379.
- ^ “CEP Factsheet”. Musokotwane Environment Resource Centre for Southern Africa. Archived from the original on 2013-02-13.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Powlson, D.S.; Gregory, P.J.; Whalley, W.R.; Quinton, J.N.; Hopkins, D.W.; Whitmore, A.P.; Hirsch, P.R.; Goulding, K.W.T. (2011-01-01). “Soil management in relation to sustainable agriculture and ecosystem services”. Food Policy. 36: S72 – S87. doi:10.1016/j.foodpol.2010.11.025.
- ^ “Leading with Soil” (PDF). Carbon180. 2021.
- ^ Lal, R.; Stewart, Bobby Alton, eds. (2013). Principles of sustainable soil management in agroecosystems. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1466513471. OCLC 768171461.
- ^ Gliessman, Stephen (2015). Agroecology: the ecology of sustainable food systems. Boca Raton: CRC Press. ISBN 978-1439895610. OCLC 744303838.
- ^ Mohawesh, Yasser; Taimeh, Awni; Ziadat, Feras (September 2015). “Effects of land-use changes and soil conservation intervention on soil properties as indicators for land degradation under a Mediterranean climate”. Solid Earth. 6 (3): 857–868. Bibcode:2015SolE….6..857M. doi:10.5194/se-6-857-2015.
- ^ Grimble, Robin (April 2002). “Rural Poverty and Environmental Management : A framework for understanding”. Transformation: An International Journal of Holistic Mission Studies. 19 (2): 120–132. doi:10.1177/026537880201900206. OCLC 5724786521. S2CID 149066616.
- ^ Barbier, Edward B.; Hochard, Jacob P. (May 11, 2016). “Does Land Degradation Increase Poverty in Developing Countries?”. PLOS ONE. 11 (5): e0152973. Bibcode:2016PLoSO..1152973B. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0152973. PMC 4864404. PMID 27167738.
- ^ “Science points to causes of COVID-19”. United Nations Environmental Programm. United Nations. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ Carrington, Damian (17 June 2020). “Pandemics result from destruction of nature, say UN and WHO”. The Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ Thomson, Amanda; Simpson, Ian; Brown, Jennifer (October 2005). “Sustainable rangeland grazing in Norse Faroe” (PDF). Human Ecology. 33 (5): 737–761. Bibcode:2005HumEc..33..737T. doi:10.1007/s10745-005-7596-x. hdl:1893/132. S2CID 18144243.
- ^ “FAO World Agriculture towards 2015/2030”. Food and Agriculture Organization. 21 August 2008.
- ^ “FAO World Agriculture towards 2015/2030”. Fao.org. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
- ^ Jump up to:a b “FAO 2011 Energy Smart Food” (PDF). Retrieved 2013-09-10.
- ^ Sarkodie, Samuel A.; Ntiamoah, Evans B.; Li, Dongmei (2019). “Panel heterogeneous distribution analysis of trade and modernized agriculture on CO2 emissions: The role of renewable and fossil fuel energy consumption”. Natural Resources Forum. 43 (3): 135–153. doi:10.1111/1477-8947.12183. ISSN 1477-8947.
- ^ Majeed, Yaqoob; Khan, Muhammad Usman; Waseem, Muhammad; Zahid, Umair; Mahmood, Faisal; Majeed, Faizan; Sultan, Muhammad; Raza, Ali (2023). “Renewable energy as an alternative source for energy management in agriculture”. Energy Reports. 10: 344–359. Bibcode:2023EnRep..10..344M. doi:10.1016/j.egyr.2023.06.032.
- ^ “Advances in Sustainable Agriculture: Solar-powered Irrigation Systems in Pakistan”. McGill University. 2014-02-12. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
- ^ “Urban Agriculture: Practices to Improve Cities”. 2011-01-18. Archived from the original on 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f “What is Sustainable Agriculture? — ASI”. Sarep.ucdavis.edu. Archived from the original on 2007-04-21. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
- ^ “Indicators for sustainable water resources development”. Fao.org. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
- ^ “Impact of Sustainable Agriculture and Farming Practices”. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
- ^ https://time.com/7202460/farmers-waste-wool-save-water-drought/
- ^ Rieff, David. “The Reproach of Hunger: Food, Justice, and Money in the Twenty-First Century.” Population and Development Review, vol. 42, no. 1, 2016, pp. 146. JSTOR, JSTOR 44015622. Accessed 18 March 2021.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d Stanislaus, Dundon (2009). “Sustainable Agriculture”. Gale Virtual Reference Library. [dead link]
- ^ Harper, Glyn; Hart, Darren; Moult, Sarah; Hull, Roger (2004). “Banana streak virus is very diverse in Uganda”. Virus Research. 100 (1): 51–56. doi:10.1016/j.virusres.2003.12.024. PMID 15036835.
- ^ Tripathi, Leena; Atkinson, Howard; Roderick, Hugh; Kubiriba, Jerome; Tripathi, Jaindra N. (2017). “Genetically engineered bananas resistant to Xanthomonas wilt disease and nematodes”. Food and Energy Security. 6 (2): 37–47. doi:10.1002/fes3.101. PMC 5488630. PMID 28713567.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d Pilgeram, Ryanne (2015). “Beyond ‘Inherit It or Marry It’: Exploring How Women Engaged in Sustainable Agriculture Access Farmland”. Academic Search Complete. Retrieved 13 March 2017. [dead link]
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d KAUR, Gurdeep; REDDY, Mondem Sudhakara (2015). “Effects of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria, Rock Phosphate and Chemical Fertilizers on Maize-Wheat Cropping Cycle and Economics”. Pedosphere. 25 (3): 428–437. Bibcode:2015Pedos..25..428K. doi:10.1016/s1002-0160(15)30010-2.
- ^ Stacey, Neil; Fox, James; Hildebrandt, Diane (2018-02-14). “Reduction in greenhouse water usage through inlet CO2 enrichment”. AIChE Journal. 64 (7): 2324–2328. Bibcode:2018AIChE..64.2324S. doi:10.1002/aic.16120. ISSN 0001-1541.
- ^ Chaibi, M. T. (2000). “An overview of solar desalination for domestic and agriculture water needs in remote arid areas”. Desalination. 127 (2): 119–133. Bibcode:2000Desal.127..119C. doi:10.1016/s0011-9164(99)00197-6.
- ^ Shaffer, Devin; Yip, Ngai (2012-10-01). “Seawater desalination for agriculture by integrated forward and reverse osmosis: Improved product water quality for potentially less energy”. Journal of Membrane Science. 415–416: 1–8. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2012.05.016. ISSN 0376-7388.
- ^ Zhou, Y.; Tol, R. S. (2004). “Implications of desalination for water resources in China—an economic perspective”. Desalination. 164 (3): 225–240. Bibcode:2004Desal.164..225Z. doi:10.1016/s0011-9164(04)00191-2.
- ^ AGRIBLE. (January 4, 2017). Women in Sustainable Agriculture; https://about.agrible.com/agnews/2017/1/3/women-in-sustainable-agriculture
- ^ Robbins, Ocean (May 2020). “Starting a Food Garden: How Growing Your Own Vegetables Can Ease Food Supply Anxiety & Support Health”. Food Revolution Network. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
- ^ Netting, Robert McC. (1993) Smallholders, Householders: Farm Families and the Ecology of Intensive, Sustainable Agriculture. Stanford Univ. Press, Palo Alto.
- ^ “Beyond the limits: global collapse or a sustainable future”.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i j k l m Barbosa Junior, Moisés; Pinheiro, Eliane; Sokulski, Carla Cristiane; Ramos Huarachi, Diego Alexis; de Francisco, Antonio Carlos (2022-10-15). “How to Identify Barriers to the Adoption of Sustainable Agriculture? A Study Based on a Multi-Criteria Model”. Sustainability. 14 (20): 13277. doi:10.3390/su142013277. ISSN 2071-1050.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Hammond, James; van Wijk, Mark T.; Smajgl, Alex; Ward, John; Pagella, Tim; Xu, Jianchu; Su, Yufang; Yi, Zhuangfang; Harrison, Rhett D. (June 2017). “Farm types and farmer motivations to adapt: Implications for design of sustainable agricultural interventions in the rubber plantations of South West China”. Agricultural Systems. 154: 1–12. Bibcode:2017AgSys.154….1H. doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2017.02.009.
- ^ Brown, Trent (2016-04-20). “Civil society organizations for sustainable agriculture: negotiating power relations for pro-poor development in India”. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. 40 (4): 381–404. Bibcode:2016AgSFS..40..381B. doi:10.1080/21683565.2016.1139648. ISSN 2168-3565. S2CID 156468675.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d e Grover, Samantha; Gruver, Joshua (December 2017). “‘Slow to change’: Farmers’ perceptions of place-based barriers to sustainable agriculture”. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. 32 (6): 511–523. doi:10.1017/S1742170516000442. ISSN 1742-1705. S2CID 157136817.
- ^ de Olde, Evelien M.; Carsjens, Gerrit J.; Eilers, Catharina H.A.M. (2017-03-04). “The role of collaborations in the development and implementation of sustainable livestock concepts in The Netherlands”. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability. 15 (2): 153–168. Bibcode:2017IJAgS..15..153D. doi:10.1080/14735903.2016.1193423. ISSN 1473-5903. S2CID 156906713.
- ^ Goklany, Indur M. (June 2021). “Reduction in global habitat loss from fossil-fuel-dependent increases in cropland productivity”. Conservation Biology. 35 (3): 766–774. Bibcode:2021ConBi..35..766G. doi:10.1111/cobi.13611. ISSN 0888-8892. PMID 32803899. S2CID 221145461.
- ^ Teng, Yun; Chen, Xinlin; Jin, Yue; Yu, Zhigang; Guo, Xiangyu (2022-09-08). “Influencing factors of and driving strategies for vegetable farmers’ green pesticide application behavior”. Frontiers in Public Health. 10: 907788. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.907788. ISSN 2296-2565. PMC 9495254. PMID 36159273.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Bhalerao, Amol Kamalakar; Rasche, Livia; Scheffran, Jürgen; Schneider, Uwe A. (2022-05-19). “Sustainable agriculture in Northeastern India: how do tribal farmers perceive and respond to climate change?”. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology. 29 (4): 291–302. Bibcode:2022IJSDW..29..291B. doi:10.1080/13504509.2021.1986750. ISSN 1350-4509. S2CID 244623670.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c Carolan, Michael (2006). “Do You See What I See? Examining the Epistemic Barriers to Sustainable Agriculture”. Academic Search Complete. Retrieved 13 March 2017. [dead link]
- ^ Jump up to:a b c Acampora, Alessia; Ruini, Luca; Mattia, Giovanni; Pratesi, Carlo Alberto; Lucchetti, Maria Claudia (February 2023). “Towards carbon neutrality in the agri-food sector: Drivers and barriers”. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 189: 106755. Bibcode:2023RCR…18906755A. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106755. S2CID 253616837.
- ^ Kunstler, James Howard (2012). Too Much Magic; Wishful Thinking, Technology, and the Fate of the Nation. Atlantic Monthly Press. ISBN 978-0-8021-9438-1.
- ^ McKibben, D., ed. (2010). The Post Carbon Reader: Managing the 21st Century Sustainability Crisis. Watershed Media. ISBN 978-0-9709500-6-2.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Robinson, Guy M. (2009-09-01). “Towards Sustainable Agriculture: Current Debates”. Geography Compass. 3 (5): 1757–1773. Bibcode:2009GComp…3.1757R. doi:10.1111/j.1749-8198.2009.00268.x. ISSN 1749-8198.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c Huang, Jiao; Tichit, Muriel; Poulot, Monique; Darly, Ségolène; Li, Shuangcheng; Petit, Caroline; Aubry, Christine (2014-10-16). “Comparative review of multifunctionality and ecosystem services in sustainable agriculture”. Journal of Environmental Management. 149: 138–147. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.10.020. PMID 25463579.
- ^ Renting, H.; Rossing, W.A.H.; Groot, J.C.J; Van der Ploeg, J.D.; Laurent, C.; Perraud, D.; Stobbelaar, D.J.; Van Ittersum, M.K. (2009-05-01). “Exploring multifunctional agriculture. A review of conceptual approaches and prospects for an integrative transitional framework”. Journal of Environmental Management. 90: S112 – S123. Bibcode:2009JEnvM..90S.112R. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2008.11.014. ISSN 0301-4797. PMID 19121889.
- ^ Tilman, David; Cassman, Kenneth G.; Matson, Pamela A.; Naylor, Rosamond; Polasky, Stephen (2002-08-08). “Agricultural sustainability and intensive production practices”. Nature. 418 (6898): 671–677. Bibcode:2002Natur.418..671T. doi:10.1038/nature01014. PMID 12167873. S2CID 3016610.
- ^ Sandhu, Harpinder S.; Wratten, Stephen D.; Cullen, Ross (2010-02-01). “Organic agriculture and ecosystem services”. Environmental Science & Policy. 13 (1): 1–7. Bibcode:2010ESPol..13….1S. doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2009.11.002. ISSN 1462-9011.
- ^ Altieri, Miguel A. (1995) Agroecology: The science of sustainable agriculture. Westview Press, Boulder, CO.
- ^ Glover, Jerry D.; Cox, Cindy M.; Reganold, John P. (2007). “Future Farming: A Return to Roots?” (PDF). Scientific American. 297 (2): 82–89. Bibcode:2007SciAm.297b..82G. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0807-82. PMID 17894176. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
- ^ Mortensen, David (January 2012). “Navigating a Critical Juncture for Sustainable Weed Management”. BioScience. 62: 75–84. doi:10.1525/bio.2012.62.1.12. S2CID 32500562.
- ^ Field Crops Res. 34:239
- ^ “Pastures: Sustainable Management”. Attra.ncat.org. 2013-08-05. Archived from the original on 2010-05-05. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
- ^ Pretty. J. (November 23, 2018). Intensification for redesigned and sustainable agriculture systems; https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aav0294
- ^ Gurr, Geoff M.; et al. (2016). “Multi-country evidence that crop diversification promotes ecological intensification of agriculture”. Nature Plants. 2 (3): 16014. Bibcode:2016NatPl…216014G. doi:10.1038/nplants.2016.14. PMID 27249349. S2CID 205458366.
- ^ Marks, Paul (15 January 2014). “Vertical farms sprouting all over the world”. New Scientist. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
- ^ MEI, Xu-rong; ZHONG, Xiu-li; Vincent, Vadez; LIU, Xiao-ying (2013-07-01). “Improving Water Use Efficiency of Wheat Crop Varieties in the North China Plain: Review and Analysis” (PDF). Journal of Integrative Agriculture. 12 (7): 1243–1250. Bibcode:2013JIAgr..12.1243M. doi:10.1016/S2095-3119(13)60437-2.
- ^ Hu, Honghong; Xiong, Lizhong (2014-01-01). “Genetic Engineering and Breeding of Drought-Resistant Crops”. Annual Review of Plant Biology. 65 (1): 715–41. doi:10.1146/annurev-arplant-050213-040000. PMID 24313844.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Mitchell, Jeffrey P.; Singh, Purnendu N.; Wallender, Wesley W.; Munk, Daniel S.; Wroble, Jon F.; Horwath, William R.; Hogan, Philip; Roy, Robert; Hanson, Blaine R. (April 2012). “No-tillage and high-residue practices reduce soil water evaporation” (PDF). California Agriculture. 66 (2): 55–61. doi:10.3733/ca.v066n02p55.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Carroll, George C.; Tudzynski, Paul (1997). Plant relationships. Berlin: Springer. ISBN 9783662103722. OCLC 679922657.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c Shenoy, V.V.; Kalagudi, G.M. (2005). “Enhancing plant phosphorus use efficiency for sustainable cropping”. Biotechnology Advances. 23 (7–8): 501–513. doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2005.01.004. PMID 16140488.
- ^ “Soil Solarization”. Rodale’s Organic Life. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
- ^ “Biomass Production of Biofumigant Cover Crops – ‘Caliente’ Mustard and Oilseed Radish” (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-05-17. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
- ^ “Plant Production and Protection Division – Biofumigation”. Food and Agriculture Organization. 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
- ^ “Relocating farmland could turn back clock twenty years on carbon emissions, say scientists”. University of Cambridge. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
- ^ Beyer, Robert M.; Hua, Fangyuan; Martin, Philip A.; Manica, Andrea; Rademacher, Tim (10 March 2022). “Relocating croplands could drastically reduce the environmental impacts of global food production”. Communications Earth & Environment. 3 (1): 49. Bibcode:2022ComEE…3…49B. doi:10.1038/s43247-022-00360-6. hdl:10810/61603. ISSN 2662-4435. S2CID 247322845.
The Netherlands utilizes advanced technology in precision agriculture to optimize crop production while minimizing resource use. Farmers employ GPS-guided tractors, drones for monitoring crop health, and sensors for soil moisture and nutrient levels. This data-driven approach allows for targeted interventions, reducing waste and improving efficiency. By applying water, fertilizers, and pesticides only where needed, farmers can significantly reduce environmental impacts and enhance crop yields. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, Cuba faced a severe food crisis. In response, the government promoted urban agriculture, which involves cultivating food within city limits. Community gardens, rooftop farms, and organic production in urban areas have become prevalent. The government provided support for local farmers, leading to the establishment of more than 10,000 urban gardens across the country. This practice reduces transportation costs, minimizes the carbon footprint, and increases access to fresh produce. It also engages communities and strengthens local food systems. This approach focuses on restoring and enhancing soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Australian farmers employ techniques such as cover cropping, rotational grazing, and reduced tillage. These practices help build soil organic matter, improve water retention, and increase resilience to drought. Regenerative agriculture can lead to increased productivity while also sequestering carbon, thus contributing to climate change mitigation.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c “What is Sustainable Agriculture?”. Union of Concerned Scientists. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c Reganold, John P.; Papendick, Robert I.; Parr, James F. (June 1990). “Sustainable Agriculture”. Scientific American. 262 (6): 112–120. Bibcode:1990SciAm.262f.112R. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0690-112. ISSN 0036-8733.
- ^ Global plan of action for the conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture ; and, The Leipzig declaration. Rome: Rome : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 1996. ISBN 978-9251040270.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Baker, Beth (2017). “Can Modern Agriculture Be Sustainable?”. BioScience. 67 (4): 325–331. doi:10.1093/biosci/bix018. ISSN 0006-3568.
- ^ Danielle Treadwell, Jim Riddle, Mary Barbercheck, Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Ed Zaborski, Cooperative Extension System, What is organic farming?
- ^ H. Martin, ‘’Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Introduction to Organic Farming, ISSN 1198-712X
- ^ Dale Rhoads, Purdue Extension Service, What is organic farming? Archived 2016-06-10 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Gold, Mary. “What is organic production?”. National Agricultural Library. USDA. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
- ^ Gelski, Jeff (20 May 2019). “U.S. annual organic food sales near $48 billion”. Food Business News. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
- ^ “Organic Market Overview”. United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
- ^ “Rand Report on protecting ecosystems”. Archived from the original on 2010-04-06. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
- ^ Jump up to:a b [1] Ecological farming: Drought-resistant agriculture
- ^ [2] Low-cost biodigesters as the epicenter of ecological farming systems
- ^ Jump up to:a b Phong, L. T.; van Dam, A. A.; Udo, H. M. J.; van Mensvoort, M. E. F.; Tri, L. Q.; Steenstra, F. A.; van der Zijpp, A. J. (2010-08-15). “An agro-ecological evaluation of aquaculture integration into farming systems of the Mekong Delta”. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 138 (3): 232–241. Bibcode:2010AgEE..138..232P. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2010.05.004. ISSN 0167-8809.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Vereijken, P. (1992-09-01). “A methodic way to more sustainable farming systems”. Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science. 40 (3): 209–223. doi:10.18174/njas.v40i3.16507. ISSN 0028-2928. S2CID 82376036.
- ^ Jump up to:a b [3] Precision Ag for Ecological Farming Systems
- ^ [4] LOW GREENHOUSE GAS AGRICULTURE: MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION POTENTIAL OF SUSTAINABLE FARMING SYSTEMS
- ^ Scientific American report on dead zones in the sea
- ^ Nature report on traditional farming ecological debt
- ^ BBC Report
- ^ FAS Recommendations
- ^ Fertiliser trees
- ^ Nutrient dense food species
- ^ Deep rooted trees maintain water balance
- ^ “UT Study: Unexpected Microbes Fighting Harmful Greenhouse Gas”. 21 November 2012.
- ^ Sponsel, Leslie E (1986). “Amazon ecology and adaptation”. Annual Review of Anthropology. 15: 67–97. doi:10.1146/annurev.anthro.15.1.67.
- ^ Burchett, Stephen; Burchett, Sarah (2011). Introduction to Wildlife Conservation in Farming. John Wiley & Sons. p. 268. ISBN 978-1-119-95759-1.
- ^ Bezemer, Marjolein (12 December 2018). “Mixed farming increases rice yield”. reNature Foundation. Archived from the original on 11 October 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ Tolossa, Tasisa Temesge; Abebe, Firew Bekele; Girma, Anteneh Abebe (2020-01-01). Yildiz, Fatih (ed.). “Review: Rainwater harvesting technology practices and implication of climate change characteristics in Eastern Ethiopia”. Cogent Food & Agriculture. 6 (1): 1724354. Bibcode:2020CogFA…624354T. doi:10.1080/23311932.2020.1724354. S2CID 214230236.
- ^ “Water-Efficient Technology Opportunity: Rainwater Harvesting Systems”. Energy.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
- ^ Pace, Katie (7 October 2015). “Indigenous Agriculture and Sustainable Foods”. Sustainable Food Center. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c Heim, Tracy (12 October 2020). “The Indigenous Origins of Regenerative Agriculture”. National Farmers Union. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ Nabhan, Gary (1989). Enduring Seeds: Native American Agriculture and Wild Plant Conservation. Tucson: The University of Arizona Press. p. x.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Frey, Darrell (2011). Bioshelter market garden : a permaculture farm. Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers. ISBN 978-0-86571-678-0. OCLC 601130383.
- ^ Kimmerer, Robin (2013). Braiding Sweetgrass : Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. Milkweed Editions. p. 148.
- ^ Kimmerer, Robin (2013). Braiding Sweetgrass : Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. Milkweed Editions. p. 183.
- ^ “Our Sustainable Future – Regenerative Ag Description”. csuchico.edu. Retrieved 2017-03-09.
- ^ Underground, The Carbon; Initiative, Regenerative Agriculture; CSU (2017-02-24). “What is Regenerative Agriculture?”. Regeneration International. Retrieved 2017-03-09.
- ^ “Regenerative Agriculture | Regenerative Agriculture Foundation”. regenerativeagriculturefoundation.org. Retrieved 2017-03-09.
- ^ “Regenerative Organic Agriculture | ORGANIC INDIA”. us.organicindia.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2017-03-09.
- ^ Birnbaum Fox, Juliana (9 June 2010). “Indigenous Science”. Cultural Survival Quarterly. 33 (1) – via Indiana University.
Bill Mollison, often called the ‘father of permaculture,’ worked with indigenous people in his native Tasmania and worldwide, and credits them with inspiring his work. “I believe that unless we adopt sophisticated aboriginal belief systems and learn respect for all life, then we lose our own,” he wrote in the seminal Permaculture: A Designers’ Manual.
- ^ Holmgren, David (2007). “Essence of Permaculture” (PDF). Permaculture: Principles & Pathways Beyond Sustainability: 7.
This focus in permaculture on learning from indigenous, tribal and cultures of place is based on the evidence that these cultures have existed in relative balance with their environment, and survived for longer than any of our more recent experiments in civilisation.
- ^ Schaeffer, John (2014). Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook. New Society Publishers. p. 292. ISBN 9780865717848.
Bill Mollison and a younger David Holmgren, who were studying the unstable and unsustainable characteristics of Western industrialized culture […] They were drawn to indigenous worldviews…
- ^ “Permaculture for Sceptics”. The Permaculture Research Institute. 11 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- ^ Peter Harper (2003). “A Critique of Permaculture: Cleaning out the stables” (PDF). Academia-danubiana.net. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ Reiff, Julius; Jungkunst, Hermann F.; Mauser, Ken M.; Kampel, Sophie; Regending, Sophie; Rösch, Verena; Zaller, Johann G.; Entling, Martin H. (2024-07-04). “Permaculture enhances carbon stocks, soil quality and biodiversity in Central Europe”. Communications Earth & Environment. 5 (1): 305. Bibcode:2024ComEE…5..305R. doi:10.1038/s43247-024-01405-8. ISSN 2662-4435.
- ^ Castle, Sarah E.; Miller, Daniel C.; Merten, Nikolas; Ordonez, Pablo J.; Baylis, Kathy (2022-03-17). “Evidence for the impacts of agroforestry on ecosystem services and human well-being in high-income countries: a systematic map”. Environmental Evidence. 11 (1): 10. Bibcode:2022EnvEv..11…10C. doi:10.1186/s13750-022-00260-4. ISSN 2047-2382. PMC 11378871. PMID 39294716.
- ^ Brooker, Rob W.; Bennett, Alison E.; Cong, Wen-Feng; Daniell, Tim J.; George, Timothy S.; Hallett, Paul D.; Hawes, Cathy; Iannetta, Pietro P. M.; Jones, Hamlyn G.; Karley, Alison J.; Li, Long; McKenzie, Blair M.; Pakeman, Robin J.; Paterson, Eric; Schöb, Christian (April 2015). “Improving intercropping: a synthesis of research in agronomy, plant physiology and ecology”. New Phytologist. 206 (1): 107–117. doi:10.1111/nph.13132. ISSN 0028-646X. PMID 25866856.
- ^ Chen, Tong; Wang, Mo; Su, Jin; Li, Jianjun (January 2023). “Unlocking the Positive Impact of Bio-Swales on Hydrology, Water Quality, and Biodiversity: A Bibliometric Review”. Sustainability. 15 (10): 8141. doi:10.3390/su15108141. ISSN 2071-1050.
- ^ Iverson, Aaron L.; Marín, Linda E.; Ennis, Katherine K.; Gonthier, David J.; Connor-Barrie, Benjamin T.; Remfert, Jane L.; Cardinale, Bradley J.; Perfecto, Ivette (2014). “REVIEW: Do polycultures promote win-wins or trade-offs in agricultural ecosystem services? A meta-analysis”. Journal of Applied Ecology. 51 (6): 1593–1602. Bibcode:2014JApEc..51.1593I. doi:10.1111/1365-2664.12334.
- ^ Viljoen, Andre; Howe, Joe, eds. (2005). Continuous Productive Urban Landscapes : Designing Urban Agriculture for Sustainable Cities. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781136414329. OCLC 742299840.
- ^ Crane, Annie; Viswanathan, Leela; Whitelaw, Graham (January 2013). “Sustainability through intervention: a case study of guerrilla gardening in Kingston, Ontario”. Local Environment. 18 (1): 71–90. Bibcode:2013LoEnv..18…71C. doi:10.1080/13549839.2012.716413. S2CID 144854053.
- ^ “Incredible edible: Guerrilla gardeners are planting veg for the masses”. The Independent. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ Nalwade, Rahul; Mote, Tushar (May 2017). “Hydroponics farming”. 2017 International Conference on Trends in Electronics and Informatics (ICEI). IEEE. pp. 645–650. doi:10.1109/icoei.2017.8300782. ISBN 978-1-5090-4257-9. S2CID 44978740.
- ^ “About VSS | VSS”. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
- ^ “Sustainability Map”. www.standardsmap.org. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
- ^ “Fostering Green Exports through Voluntary Sustainability Standards in Developing Countries | UNCTAD”. unctad.org. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
- ^ Smith, W. K.; Nelson, E.; Johnson, J. A.; Polasky, S.; Milder, J. C.; Gerber, J. S.; West, P. C.; Siebert, S.; Brauman, K. A.; Carlson, K. M.; Arbuthnot, M. (2019-02-05). “Voluntary sustainability standards could significantly reduce detrimental impacts of global agriculture”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 116 (6): 2130–2137. Bibcode:2019PNAS..116.2130S. doi:10.1073/pnas.1707812116. ISSN 0027-8424. PMC 6369756. PMID 30670643.
- ^ Ferguson, James J. (1969-12-31). “USDA Organic Certification: Who Should Be Certified?”. EDIS. 2004 (4). doi:10.32473/edis-hs210-2004. ISSN 2576-0009.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c “Achieving food security in the face of climate change: Summary for policymakers from the Commission on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change” (PDF). CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). November 2011.
- ^ Rosane, Olivia (8 November 2021). “45 Countries Pledge Over $4 Billion to Support Sustainable Agriculture, But Is It Enough?”. Ecowatch. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ Surveillance of the impact of COP26 on COVID-19 infections in Scotland – Preliminary report 16 November 2021. 2021-11-16. doi:10.52487/49704. S2CID 247960201.
- ^ Pacini, Andrea; Rossini, Stefano (2021-12-09). “Tackling the Methane Quandary: Curbing Emissions from Control Valves”. Day 1 Mon, November 15, 2021. SPE. doi:10.2118/207337-MS.
- ^ Geiges, Andreas; Fyson, Claire; Hans, Frederic; Jeffery, Louise; Mooldijk, Silke; Gidden, Matthew; Ramapope, Deborah; Hare, Bill; Stockwell, Claire (2021-03-04). “Implications of current net zero targets for long-term emissions pathways and warming levels”. EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts. Bibcode:2021EGUGA..2311018G. doi:10.5194/egusphere-egu21-11018. S2CID 237960433.
- ^ Surveillance of the impact of COP26 on COVID-19 infections in Scotland – Preliminary report 16 November 2021. 2021-11-16. doi:10.52487/49704. S2CID 247960201.
- ^ Jump up to:a b “From Farm to Fork”. European Commission website. European Union. Retrieved 26 May 2020. Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f Carlisle, Liz; Montenegro de Wit, Maywa; DeLonge, Marcia S.; Iles, Alastair; Calo, Adam; Getz, Christy; Ory, Joanna; Munden-Dixon, Katherine; Galt, Ryan; Melone, Brett; Knox, Reggie (2019-11-01). “Transitioning to Sustainable Agriculture Requires Growing and Sustaining an Ecologically Skilled Workforce”. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 3: 96. doi:10.3389/fsufs.2019.00096. ISSN 2571-581X.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Shaffer, Timothy J. (2017-08-17), “Thinking beyond food and fiber”, The Intersection of Food and Public Health, New York: Routledge, pp. 307–326, doi:10.1201/9781315153094-21 (inactive 2024-11-12), ISBN 978-1-4987-5895-6, retrieved 2021-11-13
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d Carlisle, Liz; de Wit, Maywa Montenegro; DeLonge, Marcia S.; Calo, Adam; Getz, Christy; Ory, Joanna; Munden-Dixon, Katherine; Galt, Ryan; Melone, Brett; Knox, Reggie; Iles, Alastair (2019-01-01). Kapuscinski, Anne R.; Méndez, Ernesto (eds.). “Securing the future of US agriculture: The case for investing in new entry sustainable farmers”. Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene. 7: 17. Bibcode:2019EleSA…7…17C. doi:10.1525/elementa.356. ISSN 2325-1026. S2CID 190434574.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f “Forestry summary report”. Forestry summary report / [prepared by U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, Economic Research Service, Forest Service, in cooperation with Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation]. Portland, Or.?: USDA-SCS?. 1977. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.27205.
- ^ Matthew, Bossons. “New Meat: Is China Ready for a Plant-Based Future?”. That’s. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ Milman, Oliver; Leavenworth, Stuart (20 June 2016). “China’s plan to cut meat consumption by 50% cheered by climate campaigners”. The Guardian. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ Jiao, Xiao-qiang; Zhang, Hong-yan; Ma, Wen-qi; Wang, Chong; Li, Xiao-lin; Zhang, Fu-suo (2019). “Science and Technology Backyard: A novel approach to empower smallholder farmers for sustainable intensification of agriculture in China”. Journal of Integrative Agriculture. 18 (8): 1657–1666. Bibcode:2019JIAgr..18.1657J. doi:10.1016/S2095-3119(19)62592-X. ISSN 2095-3119.
- ^ “Sustainable Agriculture in India 2021”. CEEW. 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ “Delhi-based SowGood Foundation fosters a green thumb”. The New Indian Express. 17 October 2021. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
- ^ Gutkowski, Natalia (August 2018). “Governing Through Timescape: Israeli Sustainable Agriculture Policy and the Palestinian-Arab Citizens”. International Journal of Middle East Studies. 50 (3): 471–492. doi:10.1017/S002074381800079X. ISSN 0020-7438. S2CID 165180859.
- ^ King, Franklin H. (2004). Farmers of forty centuries. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
- ^ Rural Science Graduates Association (2002). “In Memo rium – Former Staff and Students of Rural Science at UNE”. University of New England. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ [5] Archived 2018-06-01 at the Wayback Machine Bertschinger, L. et al. (eds) (2004). Conclusions from the 1st Symposium on Sustainability in Horticulture and a Declaration for the 21st Century. In: Proc. XXVI IHC – Sustainability of Horticultural Systems. Acta Hort. 638, ISHS, pp. 509-512. Retrieved on: 2009-03-16.
- ^ Lal, R. (2008). Sustainable Horticulture and Resource Management. In: Proc. XXVII IHC-S11 Sustainability through Integrated and Organic Horticulture. Eds.-in-Chief: R.K. Prange and S.D. Bishop. Acta Hort.767, ISHS, pp. 19-44.
- ^ Timmer, C. Peter (2016). “Reviewed work: The Reproach of Hunger: Food, Justice, and Money in the Twenty-First Century, David Rieff”. Population and Development Review. 42 (1): 145–147. doi:10.1111/j.1728-4457.2016.00115.x. JSTOR 44015622.