Sustainable Agriculture is not a choice, it is a necessity!

The rising temperatures of the earth and the sudden changes in climate patterns are causing significant alterations in crop rotation, as well as water management for irrigation and livestock, worrying farmers worldwide.

Agriculture is both a victim of and a contributor to climate change. On the one hand, agricultural activities contribute approximately 30 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and animal waste.

Scientists and researchers have departed from conventional farming techniques, opting for a more sophisticated and modern approach that is sustainable economically, environmentally, and socially.

Due to a growing population, human beings face a substantial demand for food, and the challenge is to meet this demand without drastically affecting the environment while ensuring the profitability of farmers. One can argue that this challenge is addressed by various techniques falling under Sustainable Agriculture.

Economically and socially acceptable sustainable farming consists of the following practices:

• Rotating crops and embracing diversity.
• Planting cover crops and perennials.
• Reducing or eliminating tillage.
• Applying integrated pest management (IPM).
• Integrating livestock and crops.
• Adopting agroforestry practices.
• Managing whole systems and landscapes.

The growing concerns of global warming make it clear that Sustainable Agriculture is not a choice but an absolute necessity.

Concerns about the economic viability of sustainable farming must be addressed, and farmers should be informed about the various benefits that sustainable practices bring. By embracing sustainable farming, not only do we ensure the production of healthy food, but we also safeguard the financial well-being of farmers. Education plays a crucial role in highlighting the positive aspects of sustainable agriculture, fostering a deeper understanding of its long-term advantages for both the environment and the economic sustainability of farming practices.

Laws need to be enacted to promote and sustain farming practices that enhance crop production, control soil damage, prevent deforestation, and halt the use of chemical pesticides and other factors that harm the environment.