The main components of both sustainable farming and conventional farming are exactly the same: soil management, crop management, water management, disease/pest management and waste management. It's the methods used that are often radically different. We'll discuss them in order, starting with soil management.
On a conventional farm, managing and maintaining soil fertility is as simple as running a soil test and applying the recommended doses of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients to meet crop needs. In sustainable agriculture, soil fertility is maintained and improved through a careful rotation of crops and generous amounts of compost and green manure, which are cover crops that are plowed back into the soil to enrich organic matter.
Monoculture is the term for agriculture that only produces one crop, year after year. The danger of monoculture is that it requires more and more chemical fertilizer to replenish lost nutrients, and more and stronger chemical pesticides and fungicides to kill off the bugs and diseases that evolve alongside the same crop year after year. Sustainable agriculture employs a broad crop diversity and careful rotation, so that nutrients are replenished naturally and no single pest or disease is allowed to get out of control.
Unhealthy soils are easily eroded, and careless water management can allow chemical fertilizers, pesticides and fresh manure slurry to leach into rivers, streams and the drinking water supply [source: Sustainable Agriculture Initiative]. Sustainable water management views water as a precious resource, efficiently watering crops using drip irrigation, which cuts down on erosion and evaporation. Efficient water use is hugely important in arid climates, where sustainable farmers plant drought-resistant crops and limit animal grazing [source: Feenstra].
On a factory farm, the key to fighting infections and disease among confined animals is to treat them with prophylactic antibiotics. Conventional growers rid the soil of any potentially harmful diseases by spraying it with fungicides before planting, then bathing the growing plants in strong pesticides to kill off bugs. In sustainable farming, plants and animals are encouraged to use their natural resistance rather than chemical solutions. Animals that freely graze on a healthy diet are more resistant to infection and disease. Healthy plants grown in microbe- and nutrient-rich soil are more resistant to invading bugs and disease. When necessary, sustainable farmers will use natural solutions to pest and disease problems, including row covers and sprays made from natural ingredients.
Dairy farms, in particular, create an impressive amount of manure. In a sustainable waste management plan, the manure would be properly composted (which requires sufficient internal heat and turning of the compost piles) and applied to field or food crops. One promising new technology called an anaerobic digestor can convert animal waste into methane, which can provide a renewable on-farm source of electricity [source: SARE].
For lots more information on sustainable gardening and organic food, head to the links on the next page.
FAQs
Keeping farm soils protected and teeming with living organisms can solve many of the problems associated with industrial agriculture. Healthy, living soil promotes healthy crops, holds water like a sponge, prevents pollution, and helps ensure that farmers and their communities can thrive.
What are the three main goals of sustainable agriculture? ›
The basic goals of sustainable agriculture are environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity (sometimes referred to as the “three legs” of the sustainability stool).
What is a major practice of sustainable agriculture? ›
Soil management
A common philosophy among sustainable agriculture practitioners is that a "healthy" soil is a key component of sustainability; that is, a healthy soil will produce healthy crop plants that have optimum vigor and are less susceptible to pests.
What type of agriculture is most sustainable? ›
Here are the top 5 sustainable farming practices which guarantee a green and environmentally friendly growth of vegetables and plants.
- Permaculture. ...
- Aquaponics & Hydroponics. ...
- Using Renewable Energy Resources. ...
- Crop Rotation & Polycultures. ...
- Trees Can Increase Crop Yields. ...
- Wrapping It Up.
Sustainable agriculture, sometimes called “regenerative farming” is a multifaceted approach that benefits the environment, ensures food security, and promotes economic prosperity. Regenerative farming, through practical and technological means, seeks to conserve soil, protect water quality, and preserve biodiversity.
What are the problems with sustainable agriculture? ›
Soil degradation is a major obstacle to sustainable agriculture. Intensive farming practices, excessive use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and erosion lead to soil nutrient depletion, loss of soil structure, and decreased fertility.
What are disadvantages of sustainable agriculture? ›
4. Disadvantages and Problems of Sustainable Agriculture
- 4.1 Transition Period. ...
- 4.2 Initial Cost. ...
- 4.3 Yield Variations. ...
- 4.4 Knowledge and Education. ...
- 4.5 Limited Availability of Organic Inputs. ...
- 4.6 Market Demand and Certification. ...
- 4.7 Pest and Disease Management. ...
- 4.8 Limited Suitability for Certain Crops or Regions.
The agricultural industry today is anything but sustainable. Factory farming, chemical pesticides, monoculture crops, and the clearing of natural vegetation all harm the delicate balance of our environment in various ways.
How does sustainable agriculture help the environment? ›
When agricultural operations are sustainably managed, they can preserve and restore critical habitats, help protect watersheds, and improve soil health and water quality.
What are the four components in a sustainable agriculture system? ›
The main components of both sustainable farming and conventional farming are exactly the same: soil management, crop management, water management, disease/pest management and waste management.
Without the use of hazardous chemical pesticides, sustainable farms are much safer and healthier for their farmers, workers and surrounding communities, and the food they produce is free of chemical residues.
What are the most unsustainable crops? ›
The 10 Worst Foods for Our Planet
- Sugar: The Worst crop For The Environment? ...
- Chocolate.
- Coffee. ...
- Industrial Meat: The Worst Carbon Footprint. ...
- Palm Oil. ...
- Soybeans. ...
- Mineral Water (And Its Bottles) ...
- Our Favorite Fish, Especially Salmon.
Protecting our planet and creating a healthier future
Sustainable agriculture is an essential practice for a healthier future. It provides environmental, economic, and social benefits to the entire population.
Do farmers care about sustainability? ›
From climate-smart farming practices to voluntary management of forests, grasslands, wetlands and croplands, farmers are not only reducing their footprint, but also are actively absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.
What are 5 benefits of sustainable farming? ›
Benefits of Sustainable Farming
- Conserves water.
- Promote biodiversity of local plant and animal life.
- Reduces agricultural waste and runoff.
- Promotes soil health and fertility.
- Captures carbon in the soil, fighting climate change.
- Promotes energy efficiency.
- Decreases greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainable agriculture is not just a buzzword; it is the bedrock upon which our future, and the sustenance of the planet, rests.
What is the goal number 3 of sustainable development? ›
Goal 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, at all ages. Health and well-being are important at every stage of one's life, starting from the beginning.
What are the three pillars of the sustainable agriculture initiative? ›
Bio S.I. will be presenting at the World Ag Expo on February 12th at 1:45PM in the Seminar Center. Soil is the foundation upon which the nation's entire agricultural and economic system has been built. Soil life is the cement that holds the pillars of sustainability; environmental, economic, and social in place.
What is the goal of sustainable agriculture sustainable development? ›
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG1, End poverty, includes targets related to social protection, land rights and resilience, while SDG2 is dedicated to ending hunger, improving food security and nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
What are the goals of sustainable agriculture quizlet? ›
What are the goals of sustainable agriculture? To fulfill the needs for food and fiber while enhancing the quality of the soil, minimizing the use of nonrenewable resources, and allowing economic viability for the farmer.
