Sustainable  Agriculture-(maintaining natural ecology for future generation).

              

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

The term sustainable agriculture means “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 agricultural economy depends

·       make the most efficient use of non-renewable 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.

GOALS OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

·       The goal of sustainable agriculture is to minimize adverse impacts to the immediate and off-farm environments while providing a sustained level of production and profit.

·       Inherent to this goal is the understanding that sustainability must be extended not only globally, but indefinitely in time, and to all living organisms including humans.

·       Simply stated, sustainable agriculture refers to the ability of a farm to produce food indefinitely, without causing irreversible damage to ecosystem health.

TODAY’S METHODS

Today, sustainable farming practices commonly include:

p  crop rotations that mitigate weeds, disease, insect and other pest problems; provide alternative sources of soil nitrogen; reduce soil erosion; and reduce risk of water contamination by agricultural chemicals.

p  pest control strategies that are not harmful to natural systems or people, which include techniques that reduce the need for pesticides by practices such as scouting, use of resistant cultivars, timing of planting, and biological pest controls.

p  increased mechanical/biological weed control.

p  soil and water conservation practices.

p  strategic use of animal and green manures.

p  use of natural or synthetic inputs in a way that  poses no significant hazard to man, animals,

              or the environment.

A. Crop rotation keeps the soil healthy.

B. Mixed farms allows the uses of livestock manure.

C. Conserving natural areas protects our environment.

D. Small changes in practices can help, rather than harm, the environment.

E. Grass-fed livestock control weeds without chemicals or mowing.

F. Science can determine the right amount of fertilizers and pesticides.

G. Farming removes nutrients and fertilizers or manures replace them.

H. Farming multiple crops allows farmers to reduce their financial risks by having multiple products to sell.

Organic vs Sustainable Farming

p  Organic farming excludes the use of synthetic inputs, such as synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and GMOs, whereas sustainable agriculture does not.

p  Sustainability aims to balance between what is taken out of the soil with what is returned to it, without relying on outside inputs. This is not necessarily a concern of organic farming.

p  Organic farms constitute only a small percent of farms with a minor impact on the environment. Sustainable agriculture aims to make positive changes on all farms.

p  In the future, large organic farms that rely on machinery and automation, and purchased inputs, will have similar sustainability issues that large conventional farms do today.

 

Advantages of Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is an agriculture production and distribution system that

• Achieves the integration of natural biological cycles and controls.

• Protects and renews soil fretility and the natural resource base.

• Optimizes the management and use of farm resources.

• Reduces the use of non-renewable resources and purchased production inputs.

• Provides an adequate and dependable form of income.

• Promotes opportunity in family farming and farm communities.