Sustainable Agriculture

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Mason
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Chemical Residues ◽  
Droughts And Floods ◽  
Farm Tourism

The technological revolution in farming practices has allowed us to clear and cultivate more land, grow plants and animals faster, and kill a greater variety of pests and diseases than ever before. Unfortunately, these efficiencies are proving to be unsustainable in the long term and have created problems such as soil structural decline, erosion, salinity, soil acidification, loss of fertility, nutrient loading of waterways, dams and a build up of chemical residues. This book is about foreseeing and understanding such problems and addressing them before it is too late. John Mason examines all these problems and explains the concepts and long-term benefits of sustainable farming systems such as permaculture, biodynamics, organic farming, agroforestry, conservation tillage, and integrated hydroculture. Sustainable Agriculture 2nd Edition also looks at important issues such as monoculture versus polyculture, the use of hybrids, selection criteria for plants and stock, integrated pest management and preparing a farm for droughts and floods. Other areas examined include diversifying into farm tourism and value adding before selling produce.

scholarly journals The Profitability of Sustainable Agriculture on a Representative Grain Farm in the Mid-Atlantic Region, 1981–89

1990 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
James C. Hanson ◽  
Dale M. Johnson ◽  
Steven E. Peters ◽  
Rhonda R. Janke
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Risk Averse ◽  
Government Programs ◽  
Atlantic Region ◽  
Net Worth ◽  
Low Input ◽  
Safety First

A long-term whole-farm analysis compared conventional and low-input farming systems. Data from a nine-year agronomic study at the Rodale Research Farm, Kutztown, Pennsylvania, were used to analyze profitability, liquidity, solvency, and risk on a representative commercial grain farm. Conventional and low-input farms participating in government programs are the most profitable scenarios, followed by conventional and low-input farms not participating in government programs. All farms increased their net worth. The low-input approach is advantageous for risk-averse farmers using a safety-first criterion.

scholarly journals The Profitability of Sustainable Agriculture on a Representative Grain Farm in the Mid-Atlantic Region, 1981–89: Comment

1995 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-137
Author(s):  
Wayne S. Roberts ◽  
Scott M. Swinton
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Computational Error ◽  
Risk Averse ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Government Programs ◽  
Atlantic Region ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Low Input

A long term whole farm analysis comparing conventional and low-input farming systems is reviewed. A computational error led to the mistaken conclusion that conventional farming with government programs is less preferred by risk-averse farmers than the low input alternative. The greater income variance of conventional agriculture need not make it less preferred provided a higher mean income sufficiently offsets the higher variance.

Energetics and ecosystem integrity: The defining principles of sustainable agriculture

1991 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy E. Crews ◽  
Charles L. Mohler ◽  
Alison G. Power
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Ecosystem Integrity ◽  
Broad Array ◽  
Ecological Criteria ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Concise Definition

AbstractIn this paper, we criticize recent definitions of sustainable agriculture as being overly based on short-term economic criteria, rather than long-term ecological criteria. A concise definition of sustainable agriculture is put forth, premised on the assumption that the ecological parameters of energetics and ecosystem integrity ultimately determine the long-term viability of farming systems. We share with others the view that, in designing sustainable farming systems, a broad array of social and economic factors should be taken into consideration. We believe, however, that these factors are not intrinsic to a sustainable agriculture, but rather separate, desirable goals.

scholarly journals Sustainability Analysis in Agricultural Policies in Benin

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
Clotilde Gnon Bio N’Goye ◽  
Janvier Egah ◽  
Mohamed Nasser Baco
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Policy ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Political Context ◽  
Agricultural Policies ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Sustainability Analysis ◽  
The Will

Agriculture in Benin is confronted with new problems which require more sustainable and resilient strategies for its development. The question of its sustainability is thus at the center of agricultural policies. This study analyzed how issues of sustainability of farming systems are taken into account in argicultural policies frameworks.  An analysis and review of the four main agricultural policy documents adopted over the last thirty years being completed to assess the measures taken to ensure the sustainability of farms. It emerges that agricultural policies do not integrate into their framework the pillars on which the development of sustainable agriculture is based. However, in their implementation, they have been strongly oriented towards the pursuit of economic and social objectives, which is reflected in the will to improve the productivity and attractiveness of the agricultural sector. However, the lack of long-term strategies, the lack of coherence between policies and the dependence on the international political context has not allowed interventions in the agricultural sector to be placed in a sustainable perspective.

scholarly journals Camelina, an ancient oilseed crop actively contributing to the rural renaissance in Europe. A review

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Zanetti ◽  
Barbara Alberghini ◽  
Ana Marjanović Jeromela ◽  
Nada Grahovac ◽  
Dragana Rajković ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Oilseed Crop ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
European Farming ◽  
European Agriculture

AbstractPromoting crop diversification in European agriculture is a key pillar of the agroecological transition. Diversifying crops generally enhances crop productivity, quality, soil health and fertility, and resilience to pests and diseases and reduces environmental stresses. Moreover, crop diversification provides an alternative means of enhancing farmers’ income. Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) reemerged in the background of European agriculture approximately three decades ago, when the first studies on this ancient native oilseed species were published. Since then, a considerable number of studies on this species has been carried out in Europe. The main interest in camelina is related to its (1) broad environmental adaptability, (2) low-input requirements, (3) resistance to multiple pests and diseases, and (4) multiple uses in food, feed, and biobased applications. The present article is a comprehensive and critical review of research carried out in Europe (compared with the rest of the world) on camelina in the last three decades, including genetics and breeding, agronomy and cropping systems, and end-uses, with the aim of making camelina an attractive new candidate crop for European farming systems. Furthermore, a critical evaluation of what is still missing to scale camelina up from a promising oilseed to a commonly cultivated crop in Europe is also provided (1) to motivate scientists to promote their studies and (2) to show farmers and end-users the real potential of this interesting species.

scholarly journals The Return of Large Carnivores and Extensive Farming Systems: A Review of Stakeholders’ Perception at an EU Level

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1735
Author(s):  
Marcello Franchini ◽  
Mirco Corazzin ◽  
Stefano Bovolenta ◽  
Stefano Filacorda
Keyword(s):  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Large Carnivores ◽  
Direct Experience ◽  
Large Carnivore ◽  
Degree Of Acceptance ◽  
Extensive Farming ◽  
Over Time ◽  
The Eu

Conflicts between large carnivores and human activities undermine both the maintenance of livestock practices as well as the conservation of carnivores across Europe. Because large carnivore management is driven by a common EU policy, the purpose of this research was to assess stakeholders’ perception towards bears and wolves at an EU level. We conducted a systematic search and subsequent analysis of 40 peer-reviewed studies collected from 1990 to September 2020 within Member States of the EU. Rural inhabitants and hunters exhibited the most negative attitude compared to urban inhabitants and conservationists, whose attitude was more positive. We showed that direct experience with predators as a consequence of ongoing re-colonization may have affected the degree of acceptance of certain categories and that the long-term coexistence between humans and carnivores does not necessarily imply increased tolerance. To encourage coexistence, we recommend monitoring changes in attitudes over time relative to carnivore population dynamics.

scholarly journals Effect of long-term conservation tillage on soil biochemical properties in Mediterranean Spanish areas

2009 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Madejón ◽  
J.M. Murillo ◽  
F. Moreno ◽  
M.V. López ◽  
J.L. Arrue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Soil Biochemical Properties

Introduction: Improving the sustainability of dryland farming systems in the Middle East

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 98-99
Author(s):  
James F. Parr ◽  
Robert I. Papendick
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Dryland Farming ◽  
The U.S

Six papers in this issue were presented by Middle Eastern authors at the U.S.-Middle East Conference and Workshop on "Dryland Farming Systems and Technologies for a More Sustainable Agriculture," held at Moscow, Idaho on October 18–23, 1993.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document