What Is sustainable Agriculture -
Introduction-
Modem crop production technology has considerably output but has created problems of land, degradation pesticide residues in farm produce, gene eronion atmospheric and water
pollution. The natural resource base is degraded and diminished and the quality of the environment sustaining human life is adversely affected. Agricultural production has
Sustained man and great civilization.
The task of meeting the needs of the present generation without eroding the ecological assets of the future generations is receiving top priority
hy environmental planners.
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| Sustainable Agriculture |
Definition -
Sustainable agriculture is a form of agriculture aimed at meeting the needs of the present generation without endangering the resource base of the future generations.
Sustainable agriculture is minimal dependence on synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and antibiotics.
It is also considered as a system of cultivation with the use of
manure, crop rotation and minimal tillage.
Sustainable agriculture is also known as eco farming or organic farming or natural farming or permaculture.
Sustainable agriculture is known as eco farming as ecological balance is given importance.
It is called organic farming as organic matter is the main source for nutrient management.
History-
In 1907 Franklin H. King in his book Farmers of Forty Centuries discussed the advantages of sustainable agriculture, and warned that such practices would be vital to farming in the future. The phrase 'sustainable agriculture' was reportedly coined by the Australian agronomist Gordon McClymont.The term became popular in the late 1980s.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MODERN AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE-
Sustainable agriculture substantially differs from modern day chemical based, agriculture.
The differences are summarised in the main differences between the two .
In modem agriculture, synthetic fertilizer containing NPK are used to enrich the soil and chemical pesticides to control pests .
Whereas in sustainable agriculture farm madef farmyard manure, compost, green manure and biofertilizers are used .
Sustainable agriculture involves agroforestry and multi-level cultivation and integrated animal husbandry.
Crop production and animal husbandry have to be employed as an integral system for sustainable.
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES-
The management practices for sustainable agriculture differ from those of modern agriculture.
The important steps in sustainable agriculture are -
Watershed management,
Conservation of genetic resources.
Integrated nutrient management, Efficient water management, Integrated weed management,
Integrated pest management.
The management practices are mainly aimed at sustainable production with limited or no chemical inputs with preference to farm grown input without pollution and minimum damage to natural resource base.
ADVANTAGES
The main advantage of sustainable agriculture are ecological balance, low cost of cultivation.
Clean environment and nutritious food without pesticide residues.
Some of the disadvantages are
low yields lack of timely and effective control of weeds, Insects and diseases.
The conservation process from moderm agriculture to sustainable agriculture usually takes three to six years.
Disadvantages-
The sustainable agriculture movement started in 1981 There is insufficient and reliable research data
to recommend sustainable agriculture.
There is no well founded body of knowledge.
The use of limited quantities of fertilisers and discrete application of small quantities of target specific pesticides a critical stages of crop
damage will the agreement with the principle of sustainable agriculture.
Sustainable agriculture is most important to protect of our environmental condition and we'll Nutritional food materials.
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