Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is a type of agriculture that focuses on producing long-term crops and livestock while having minimal effects on the environment. This type of agriculture tries to find a good balance between the need for food production and the preservation of the ecological system within the environment. In addition to producing food, there are several overall goals associated with sustainable agriculture, including conserving water, reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and promoting biodiversity in crops grown and the ecosystem. Sustainable agriculture also focuses on maintaining economic stability of farms and helping farmers improve their techniques and quality of life.
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Sustainable agriculture is farming in sustainable ways, which means meeting society's present food and textile needs, without compromising the ability for current or future generations to meet their needs. It can be based on an understanding of ecosystem services .There are many methods to increase the sustainability of agriculture. When developing agriculture within sustainable food system, it is important to develop flexible business process and farming practices.
Sustainable agriculture provides a potential solution to enable agricultural systems to feed a growing population within the changing environmental conditions.
the term "sustainable agriculture" is defined as an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term:
- satisfy human food and fiber needs
- enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agriculture economy depends
- make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls
- sustain the economic viability of farm operations
- enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
several key principles associated with sustainability in agriculture:
- The incorporation of biological and ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, soil regeneration , and nitrogen fixation into agricultural and food production practices.
- Using decreased amounts of non-renewable and unsustainable inputs, particularly the ones that are environmentally harmful.
- Using the expertise of farmers to both productively work the land as well as to promote the self-reliance and self-sufficiency of farmers.
- Solving agricultural and natural resource problems through the cooperation and collaboration of people with different skills. The problems tackled include pest management and irrigation.
It “considers long-term as well as short-term economics because sustainability is readily defined as forever, that is, agricultural environments that are designed to promote endless regeneration”. It balances the need for resource conservation with the needs of farmers pursuing their livelihood.
It is considered to be reconciliation ecology, accommodating biodiversity within human landscapes.
Methods of Sustainable Agriculture
Over decades of science and practice,
several key sustainable farming practices
have emerged—for example:
several key sustainable farming practices
have emerged—for example:
of the most powerful techniques of sust
-ainable agriculture. Its purpose is to av
-oid the consequences that come with
planting the same crops in the same
soil for years in a row. It helps tackle
pest problems, as many pests prefer
specific crops. If the pests have a
steady food supply they can greatly
increase their population size.
Rotation breaks the reproduction
cycles of pests. During rotation,
farmers can plant certain crops, which
replenish plant nutrients. These crops
reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.
2. Cover Crops: Many farmers choose
to have crops planted in a field at all
times and never leave it barren, this
can cause unintended consequences.
By planting cover crops, such as clover
or oats, the farmer can achieve his
goals of preventing soil erosion, suppr
-essing the growth of weeds, and
enhancing the quality of the soil.
The use of cover crops also reduces
the need for chemicals such as fertilizers.
to have crops planted in a field at all
times and never leave it barren, this
can cause unintended consequences.
By planting cover crops, such as clover
or oats, the farmer can achieve his
goals of preventing soil erosion, suppr
-essing the growth of weeds, and
enhancing the quality of the soil.
The use of cover crops also reduces
the need for chemicals such as fertilizers.
3. Soil Enrichment: Soil is a central com
-ponent of agricultural ecosystems. Healthy
soil is full of life, which can often be
killed by the overuse of pesticides.
Good soils can increase yields as well
as creating more robust crops. It is
possible to maintain and enhance the
quality of soil in many ways. Some
examples include leaving crop residue
in the field after a harvest, and the use of
composted plant material or animal manure.
-ponent of agricultural ecosystems. Healthy
soil is full of life, which can often be
killed by the overuse of pesticides.
Good soils can increase yields as well
as creating more robust crops. It is
possible to maintain and enhance the
quality of soil in many ways. Some
examples include leaving crop residue
in the field after a harvest, and the use of
composted plant material or animal manure.
4. Natural Pest Predators: In order to
maintain effective control over pests,
it is important to view the farm as an
ecosystem as opposed to a factory.
For example, many birds and other
animals are in fact natural predators
of agricultural pests. Managing your
farm so that it can harbor populations
of these pest predators is an effective
as well as a sophisticated technique.
The use of chemical pesticides can
result in the indiscriminate killing of
pest predators.
maintain effective control over pests,
it is important to view the farm as an
ecosystem as opposed to a factory.
For example, many birds and other
animals are in fact natural predators
of agricultural pests. Managing your
farm so that it can harbor populations
of these pest predators is an effective
as well as a sophisticated technique.
The use of chemical pesticides can
result in the indiscriminate killing of
pest predators.
5 Bio intensive Integrated Pest
Management:
Integrated pest management (IPM).
This is an approach
, which really relies on biological as
opposed to chemical methods. IMP
also emphasizes the importance of
crop rotation to combat pest mana
-gement. Once a pest problem is
identified, IPM will mean that
chemical solutions will only be
used as a last resort. Instead the
appropriate responses would be
the use of sterile males, and
biocontrol agents such as ladybirds.
Management:
Integrated pest management (IPM).
This is an approach
, which really relies on biological as
opposed to chemical methods. IMP
also emphasizes the importance of
crop rotation to combat pest mana
-gement. Once a pest problem is
identified, IPM will mean that
chemical solutions will only be
used as a last resort. Instead the
appropriate responses would be
the use of sterile males, and
biocontrol agents such as ladybirds.
6.Adopting agroforestry practices.
By mixing trees or shrubs into their
operations, farmers can provide
shade and shelter to protect plants
, animals, and water resources,
while also potentially offering
additional income.
By mixing trees or shrubs into their
operations, farmers can provide
shade and shelter to protect plants
, animals, and water resources,
while also potentially offering
additional income.
7.Managing whole systems and
landscapes.
Sustainable farms treat uncultivated
or less intensively cultivated areas,
such as riparian buffers or prairie
strips, as integral to the farm—
valued for their role in controlling
erosion, reducing nutrient runoff,
and supporting pollinators and
other biodiversity.
landscapes.
Sustainable farms treat uncultivated
or less intensively cultivated areas,
such as riparian buffers or prairie
strips, as integral to the farm—
valued for their role in controlling
erosion, reducing nutrient runoff,
and supporting pollinators and
other biodiversity.
A key theme connecting many of
these practices is diversification.
“Keep it simple” is good advice in
many situations, but when it comes
to agriculture, the most sustainable
and productive systems are more
diverse and complex—like nature itself.
these practices is diversification.
“Keep it simple” is good advice in
many situations, but when it comes
to agriculture, the most sustainable
and productive systems are more
diverse and complex—like nature itself.
Benefits of Sustainable Agriculture
1. Contributes to Environmental
a huge role in fulfilling our basic nee
ds to sustain life. In turn, it is our duty
to look after the environment so that
future generations are not deprived
of their needs. Sustainable agriculture
helps to replenish the land as well
as other natural resources such as
water and air. This replenishment
ensures that these natural resources
will be able for future generations
to sustain life.
2. Public Health Safety:
Sustainable agriculture avoids
hazardous pesticides and fertilizers.
As a result, farmers are able to
produce fruits, vegetables and other
crops that are safer for consumers,
workers, and surrounding
communities.Through careful and
proper management of livestock
waste, sustainable farmers are able to
protect humans from exposure
to pathogens, toxins, and other
hazardous pollutants.
Sustainable agriculture avoids
hazardous pesticides and fertilizers.
As a result, farmers are able to
produce fruits, vegetables and other
crops that are safer for consumers,
workers, and surrounding
communities.Through careful and
proper management of livestock
waste, sustainable farmers are able to
protect humans from exposure
to pathogens, toxins, and other
hazardous pollutants.
2. Prevents Pollution:
Sustainable agriculture means
that any waste a farm produces
remains inside the farms ecosystem.
In this way the waste cannot cause
pollution.
Sustainable agriculture means
that any waste a farm produces
remains inside the farms ecosystem.
In this way the waste cannot cause
pollution.
3. Reduction in Cost:
The use of sustainable agriculture
reduces the need for fossil fuels,
resulting in significant cost savings
in terms of purchasing as well as
transporting them. This in turn
lessens the overall costs involved
in farming.
The use of sustainable agriculture
reduces the need for fossil fuels,
resulting in significant cost savings
in terms of purchasing as well as
transporting them. This in turn
lessens the overall costs involved
in farming.
4. Biodiversity:
Sustainable farms produces a
wide variety of plants and animals
resulting in biodiversity During
crop rotation, plants are seasonally
rotated and this results in soil
enrichment, prevention of diseases,
and pest outbreaks.
Sustainable farms produces a
wide variety of plants and animals
resulting in biodiversity During
crop rotation, plants are seasonally
rotated and this results in soil
enrichment, prevention of diseases,
and pest outbreaks.
5. Beneficial to Animals:
Sustainable agriculture results in
animals being better cared for, as
well as treated humanely and with
respect. The natural behaviors of all
living animals, including grazing or
pecking, are catered for. As a result
they develop in a natural way.
Sustainable farmers and ranchers
implement livestock husbandry
practices that protect animals’ health.
Sustainable agriculture results in
animals being better cared for, as
well as treated humanely and with
respect. The natural behaviors of all
living animals, including grazing or
pecking, are catered for. As a result
they develop in a natural way.
Sustainable farmers and ranchers
implement livestock husbandry
practices that protect animals’ health.
6.Economically Beneficial For Farmers:
In exchange for engaging with sustainable
farming methods, farmers receive a fair
wage for their produce. This greatly
reduces their reliance on government
subsidies and strengthens rural
communities. Organic farms typically
require 2 ½ times less labor than factory
farms yet yield 10 times the profit.
In exchange for engaging with sustainable
farming methods, farmers receive a fair
wage for their produce. This greatly
reduces their reliance on government
subsidies and strengthens rural
communities. Organic farms typically
require 2 ½ times less labor than factory
farms yet yield 10 times the profit.
7. Social Equality:
Practicing sustainable agriculture
techniques also benefits workers
as they are offered a more compe
-titive salary as well as benefits.
They also work in humane and
fair working conditions, which
include a safe work environment,
food, and adequate living conditions.
Practicing sustainable agriculture
techniques also benefits workers
as they are offered a more compe
-titive salary as well as benefits.
They also work in humane and
fair working conditions, which
include a safe work environment,
food, and adequate living conditions.
8. Beneficial For Environment:
Sustainable agriculture reduces the
need for use of non- renewable energy
resources and as a result benefits the
environment.
Sustainable agriculture reduces the
need for use of non- renewable energy
resources and as a result benefits the
environment.
9. Improving food production
without being wasteful:
without being wasteful:
As we have explained, the
anticipated population increase is
cause for concern. Today, there is
an opportunity to develop agricultural
practices from a pure production
standpoint, and sustainable
agriculture is the route with the most opportunity.
anticipated population increase is
cause for concern. Today, there is
an opportunity to develop agricultural
practices from a pure production
standpoint, and sustainable
agriculture is the route with the most opportunity.
Sustainable agriculture
and farm policy
and farm policy
While US farm policy continues to put the lion’s share of public resources behind subsidizing overproduction of corn and other commodity crops, there have been some encouraging signs. The most recent versions of the farm bill have included provisions to support more organic farming, to make it easier for fruit and vegetable farmers to qualify for crop insurance and to help farmers adopt more sustainable practices on their own working lands.
But if we want to see sustainable farming become the dominant model in the US, we need to go much further. UCS has published a series of reports and issue briefs that offer recommendations for promoting sustainable agriculture through farm policy, as part of our overall goal of transforming our food system to provide healthy, affordable, fairly and sustainably produced food for all Americans. We encourage you to take a look–and then contact your representatives to ask them to support sustainable agriculture.
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