What is Sustainable Agriculture?
Dr. Bruce T. Bowman
With recent renewed interest in more holistic approaches to
agricultural management practices, there have been numerous efforts to
define what is meant by Sustainable Agriculture. Sustainable
Agriculture integrates three primary objectives:
* Environmental health,
* Economic profitability,
* Social and economic equity.
The following is a short excerpt on Sustainable Agriculture from
recent publication from the Research Branch of Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada entitled "The health of our soils: toward
sustainable agriculture in Canada" (D.F. Acton and L. J. Gregorich,
editors; 1995).
Introduction
L.J. Gregorich
Most people know that they need clean air and clean water to stay
healthy. Fewer people realize that their well-being also depends on
the health of another component of our environment—the soil. Soil
supports the growth of most of our food and fibre, so its productivity
is a major factor in the economies of Canada and other nations. But it
also has a much broader role globally. Soil acts as a filter, cleaning
air and water. It exchanges gases with the atmosphere and thus
influences global climate. Soil receives organic wastes and recycles
their nutrients back to plants; it also holds and breaks down some
toxic wastes. Because soil plays such a key role in world health,
economies, and environmental stability, we must conserve it and use it
in a sustainable manner.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Sustainable agriculture is a way of farming that can be carried out
for generations to come. This long-term approach to agriculture
combines efficient production with the wise stewardship of the earth's
resources. It is hoped that, over time, sustainable agriculture will
do the following:
* meet human needs for food and fibre
* protect the natural resource base and prevent the degradation of
soil and water quality
* use nonrenewable resources efficiently
* use natural biological cycles and controls
* assure the economic survival of farming and the well-being of
farmers and their families.
The most important link between farming practices and sustainable
agriculture is the health, or quality, of our agricultural soils. If
soil becomes degraded, more resources in terms of time, money, energy,
and chemicals will be needed to produce less-abundant crops of a lower
quality, and the goals of sustainable agriculture will not be met. On
the other hand, if soil degradation is reversed and soil health is
maintained or improved by using appropriate farming methods,
sustainable agriculture can be a reality.
OTHER RELATED LINKS
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, Univ. of
California, Davis - a California perspective on Sustainable
Agriculture.
Western Region and Sustainable Agriculture Program - Utah State
University
Sustainable Cropping Systems Research Study (SCORE) is a cooperative
research venture involving multidisciplinary teams of researchers from
Agriculture Canada, Alberta Agriculture, and the University of
Alberta. The study, established in 1991, is funded by the
Canada-Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (CAESA)
Agreement.
The Sustainable Earth Electronic Library (SEEL) is a project of
Sustainable Earth, Inc., a nonprofit organization devoted to the
creation of environmentally-related information tools and services.
SEEL is hosted by the Envirolink Network, which has generously
provided the much needed computer space to make SEEL possible.
Linkages, is provided by the International Institute for Sustainable
Development (IISD), publishers of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin. It
is designed to be an electronic clearing-house for information on past
and upcoming international meetings related to environment and
development.
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program, Univ. of California, Davis
Western Region and Sustainable Agriculture Program
SustainableCropping Systems Research Study (SCORE)
The Sustainable Earth Electronic Library (SEEL)
Linkages
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
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Last Revised: Friday, August 25, 1995