The concept of sustainable agriculture has always been integral to human civilization. Traditionally, farmers have always strived to produce if not more than at least equal yield of product every year from their lands. As we are getting more tuned to the idea of sustainable economic development, the concept of sustainable agriculture has also come into the focus. Countries including both developed and agriculture based ones are focusing upon improving their farming systems and practices. Sustainable agriculture refers to processes taken to enhance the natural resource base to improve the economic viability of agricultural production and maintaining concerned ecosystems.
It’s a special kind of agriculture which is designed to make the maximum utilization of resources without causing any harm to our environment. Sustainable agriculture helps in increasing farm productivity over the long term, enhancing the net social benefit accruing from agriculture, maximizing monetary and non-monetary returns, minimizing dangers to natural resource base, less usage of chemicals and relying more upon natural residues.
One of the main features of sustainable agriculture is usage of organic way of farming. Inorganic chemicals such as pesticides and insecticides are avoided for the purpose of producing more healthy food and making agriculture friendly to environment. It also focuses upon usage of rotating crop production technique where, different crops are used as per climate and season. This helps in keeping land occupied and making the maximum utilization of available resources. Another benefit of it is income generation and helping farmers in getting less affected from the vagaries of market condition.
Sustainable agriculture is a still evolving concept which strives to integrate three crucial factors of social equality, environment health and economic profitability. One of the best aspects of this concept is level of contribution from government and farmers to consumers. It’s really heartening to see the number of impressive steps being taken by governments to improve the productivity and to maintain the sustainable agriculture development.