Sustainability is the new buzzword in agriculture and soon a guiding principle of how food is grown, transported and eaten. Sustainable agriculture is increasingly being regarded as an approach whose time has come, as the global population increases and climate change intensifies, and governments, businesses and farmers begin to realise the need to change the way we make use of our natural resources.
UN promotes sustainable practices through government support
In the U.S., the Biden administration has been advocating for more sustainable farming practices through the 2023 Farm Bill. This landmark legislation devotes billions of dollars to reward farmers who adopt sustainable practices that benefit water quality, soil health, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The funds would be transferred to farmers adopting regenerative agriculture practices (which emphasize renewing the health of soil, land, air, and water to increase biodiversity and the amount of carbon trapped within the earth). No-till farming, for example, and crop rotation and cover cropping are among its main practices.
In the Atlantic, the European Union’s Farm to Fork Strategy and Green Deal aim for ambitious sustainability goals. The EU plans to have a quarter of its agricultural land under organic cultivation by 2030 and to cut pesticide use by 50%. These policies aim to protect biodiversity, reduce the use of chemicals and make food systems more resilient to climate shocks. Organic and sustainable farm practices are incentivized (through various subsidies and grants) as farmers get on board (and off the conventional farming methods).
Transforming Sustainability Through Technology and Innovation
Tech innovation is helping to accelerate sustainability in agriculture. Precision farming tools — such as drones, sensors, and satellite imagery — are assisting farmers in maximizing the efficient use of water, fertilizer and pesticides and minimizing waste and environmental impact. With precision irrigation systems, for instance, farmers can more efficiently water crops so that plants receive precisely what they need while avoiding waste. In the same way, smart sensors can test the levels of nutrients in the soil and transmit live data to farmers so that they can apply fertilizers in a targeted manner.
Another promising innovation for sustainable agriculture is vertical farming. Because vertical farms grow crops in stacked layers, often in urban areas, they can save space and cut risks of water and land overuse. These farms also shorten the distance food travels, cutting transportation emissions and minimizing food waste since they supply local markets with fresher produce. Vertical farms can also grow food year-round and are less vulnerable to climate shocks.
Tackling Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss
The movement towards sustainable agriculture is also a response to the increasing threats of climate change and biodiversity loss. Planting crops for the livestock that produce all this emission increases greenhouse gas emissions, as does deforestation for agriculture expand for crops, and the use of fertilizers. The environmental impacts of farming are also high on the agenda of governments and international organizations, which are increasingly pushing for low carbon technologies in global agriculture, such as renewable energy use on the farm and reducing methane emissions in livestock production.
Agroforestry — where trees and shrubs are integrated into agricultural systems — is one critical strategy. These trees are able to act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, as well as help to protect the soil from erosion, retain water, and provide habitat for wildlife. These systems help sequester carbon while also enhancing farm productivity by building more resilient ecosystems.
Plant-Based Energy Generation and Regenerative Agriculture
The desire for sustainability is changing diets, as plant-based foods are becoming trendy to consume as environmentally-friendly replacements for animal products. Compared to livestock farming, plant-based agriculture requires fewer resources such as land, water, and energy, highlighting its role as a key lever in the transition to more sustainable food systems. Governments are beginning to account for the shift towards plant-based farming, with incentives for growers of soybeans, peas and other crops that provide the base ingredient for plant-based food products.
Meanwhile, regenerative agriculture is gaining traction. In contrast to industrial farming that seeks to maximize short-term yields, regenerative practices strive to restore — and create — health in the soil and environment. Regenerating agriculture seeks to build a more sustainable and resilient farming system that can endure changing environmental conditions by prioritizing practices such as composting, minimal tillage, and promoting biodiversity.
Challenges Ahead
However, despite all these efforts, the transition to sustainable agriculture is not without its challenges. For one, the upfront cost of adopting new technologies or changing farming practices can be high, and many farmers may require financial assistance to make the shift. And as an added challenge, there’s sometimes resistance to change, especially in areas where conventional farming practices have been the norm for decades.
Sustainability policies can also be bewildering and differ extensively across the continent or even from neighborhood to neighborhood, which can weigh heavy on farmers. In some places, subsidies continue to favor industrial agriculture, at odds with sustainability goals. Farmers in those areas could feel pressure to drive high yields, regardless of environmental practices.
Looking Ahead
Sustainability in agriculture is set to become more important still. Sustainable practices will be more important than ever in a world faced with the twin challenges of feeding a growing population and reducing the scourge of climate change. This will likely require a mix of new technology, public policy, and a societal commitment to sustainable, climate-resilient agricultural practices.
From regenerative practices and carbon sequestration to plant-based eating and vertical farming, sustainability is the focus of agricultural talk. With governments, industries, and farmers collaborating, the world is expected to move towards sustainable solutions by creating a resilient food system that fed subsequent generations without exhausting the earth’s resources.
