Sustainable Development with Specialisation on Environment and Agricultural Development - Research Proposal Example

?Table of content 0 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………….2 2.0 Sustainable development overview……………………………..………………………..2 3.0 Problem ment………………………………………..……………………………….3 3.1Overview……………………………………………………………………………3 3.2 Problem question/ hypothesis……………………………………………………..3 4.0 objectives and aims……………………………………………………….………………..4 4.1overal objectives…………………………………………………………………….4 4.2 specific aims and objectives………………………………………………………..5 5.0 background and significance……………………………………………………………….5 6.0 methodology………………………………………………………………………………....6 6.1 Population and study sample……………….……………………………………….6 6.2 Data collection………………………………………………………………………..6 6.3 Data analysis…………………………………………………………….……………7 Name: Instructor: Task: Date: Sustainable Development with Specialization on Environment and Agriculture 1.0 Introduction Sustainable development involves meeting today’s obligation without diminishing the chances of future generations being in a position of meeting their own. Additionally, sustainable development is a path on which we follow to meet our obligations. Agriculture, for instance, when practicing it, one needs to consider the impact it has on the environment. Moreover, agriculture has to be practiced without compromising the chances of future generations practicing it on the same environment (Brandt and Uwe 190). Several factors contribute to the sustainability of the environment with regards to agriculture. These factors include the ecological impact, economic viability, social justice and cultural appropriateness. Agriculture has a unswerving link with the environment. For this reason, one can only talk of sustainable development when the issue of environmental conservation has been addressed. In order to achieve sustainable development with regards to the environment and agriculture, externalities that have a negative impact on the environment and agriculture have to be eliminated (Alam 84). 2.0 Sustainable Development Overview Sustainable progress requires a functioning ecosystem, a society that is cohesive and an environment that is healthy. Similarly, it stresses on the importance of being flexible to future shocks even their magnitude and probability is unknown or uncertain. Sustainable development affects humans in several dimensions, for instance, monetary efficiency, ecological impacts and the social growth (Gechev 2). However, in this case, we are examining the environmental influences of sustainable progress in agriculture. Similarly, sustainable development should not undermine the very fabric of the social and economics systems. However, in this case, agriculture relies on ecological system. For this reason, the viability of sustainable growth assessed from the angle of environmental influence. 3.0 Problem Statement 3.1 Overview Many people in the world currently rely on agriculture as a source of their livelihood hence sustainable development in the agricultural sector has to consider the imposed impact and future consequences of these developments. Similarly, efficient methods of food production have to consider the impact on the environment hence they should not destroy it, and they should be socially acceptable in the community. Due to the major global differences in agricultural practices, there cannot be one way or one remedy for sustainability (Lichtfouse 3). It takes different variations with place and place. Each society has to learn take up opportunities in their respective environment. However, there is on one particular way that sustainable advancement can be defined but generally is the development that does not harm the environment. For this reason, sustainable development is a complex notion that needs litheness and adoptability. Similarly, it also entails coming up with dissimilar innovative ways of solving current problems. However, as the conditions continue changing the farmers should al so change with it. 3.2 Research Question/Hypothesis Sustainable development in the agricultural front has an extremely delicate balance due to many different methods that are employed by different societies. For this reason, to attain sustainable development without unconstructively influencing the environment sometimes becomes incredibly hard. However, effective methods of practicing agriculture can help in minimizing the unconstructive effects to the environment. Similarly, the farming methods that are employed by farmers have a strong bearing on sustainable advancement for instance the environment must have the opportunity to bounce back once exploited. This can be practiced through growing crops that add value to the environment and using natural fertilizers that do not destroy the environment (Latesteijn 22). In light of this, this research aims at establishing sustainable development policies on agriculture that can be employed without having a negative impact to the environment hence the research question is how can we achieve sustainable development with specialization on environment and agriculture. 4.0 Objective and Aims 4.1 Overall Objective The overall objective of this research is to establish how to attain sustainable development while focusing on the environment and agriculture in general. However, this can only be achieved by looking at the current situation in the agricultural industry and the impact it has on the environment. Similarly, we will focus on previous studies that have been carried out on this topic to establish the available literature and what conclusions have been made. However, agricultural sustainability has become one of the most debated topics by both policy makers and stake holders in the sector the main endeavor is to develop the most effectual ways of practicing agriculture in a sustainable manner. When critically looking at the agricultural production system, sustainability is of great importance in that the farmers should avoid at all costs environmental degradation. Similarly, for farmers to get adequate and dependable income from farming activities, it is important to take care of the environment and avoid activities that are going to destroy it (Elliott 145). Additionally, it is our mandate to safeguard our surroundings, hence enable future generations to get a good environment. For people to continue with the production of agricultural produce, the environment should be in a position to recover. Additionally, agricultural policies should not exert weight on the surrounding or environment. They should be aimed at conserving the environment and encouraging sustainable farming practices. 4.2 Specific Aims and Objectives i. Establish factors that add to ecological dilapidation ii. Establish factors that add to sustainable advancement with specialization to the environment and agriculture iii. Suggest sustainable solutions to the current agricultural and environmental conditions 5.0 Background and Significance Conventionally, the policy making process has been from the top down where by policy makers agree there is a problem and then experts are called in to address it. They come up with a plan by assessing the pros and cons of the situation and then after coming to some sort of agreement they then execute the plan. However, in the case of sustainable development with specialization on environment and agriculture it does not take this form. The policy-making procedure is from the bottom going up because the impact of these policies will be felt most by the local farmer hence the policies need to be formulated from the bottom going up to the stakeholders. Policies, for instance, rehabilitation have to be upheld by farmers to avoid environmental degradation. Although most policy-makers have taken measures in the preservation of the environment, more needs to be done in order to have a sustainable solution to these issues. Similarly, the significance of the study is to establish sustainable ways to foster development but at the same time avoid environmental degradation. Natural resources need to be used effective to avoid depletion which will lead to stagnated growth and development. Additionally, there is a need to establish ecological balance in order for sustainability to be realized. Similarly, efficient extraction methods need to be employed to protect the environment from destruction. For instance, some of the most common ecological degradation includes cutting of trees and soil erosion. However, agricultural crops can only thrive in a favorable environment for instance where there is enough sunlight, soil nutrients and water. Similarly, this will impact on the economic development because good produce will lead to more sales. As a result, sustainable development can only be realized if all these factors are considered. Environmental degradation can lead to low agricultural production hence negatively impacting livelihood of people and by extension the economy. 6.0 Methodology Research methodology is the approach in which the research is going to be carried out. Similarly, this will include the progress of the research and the method of data collection that is going to be used. Additionally, it provides the tools that the researcher is going to use to achieve his or her objectives. Moreover, it is how the research question is going to be answered. 6.1 Population and Study Sample The study is going to involve all stakeholders in the agricultural sector. Similarly, it is also going to involve farmers who practice farming for their daily sustenance. However, the main reason for this is because these are the people who deal with agricultural practice everyday hence they have adequate knowledge and experience to give a comprehensive and independent opinion on the subject matter. However, the researcher will determine the final findings, conclusion and suggestion. 6.2 Data Collection The data for the research shall be collected using questionnaires that are going to be structured to capture the relevant data. Additionally, this data is going to be analyzed and interpreted so as the get the findings of the study. Similarly, the conclusion and recommendation are going to be drawn from the analyzed data. 6.3 Data Analysis The data is going to be analyzed using a statistical software and represented in a more meaningful way. Similarly, the data is represented graphically for easy interpretation hence making the information more sensible to the users and the readers. Works Cited Alam, Shawkat. Sustainable development and free trade: institutional approaches. New York, NY: Routledge, 2008. Print. Atkinson, Giles, Simon, Dietz, and Eric, Neumayer. Handbook of sustainable development. Northamption, UK: Edward Elgar, 2007. Print. Brandt, Hartmut, and UweOtzen. Poverty orientated agricultural and rural development. New York, NY: Routledge, 2007. Print. Brouwer, Floor, and Bruce McCarl. Agriculture and climate beyond 2015 a new perspective on future land use patterns. New York, NY: Springer, 2006. Print. Elliott, Jennifer. An introduction to sustainable development. New York: Routledge, 2006. Print. Francis, Charles, Raymond, Poincelot, and George, Bird. Developing and extending sustainable agriculture: a new social contract. Washington, DC: Haworth Food & Agricultural Products Press, 2006. Print. Gechev, Rumen. Sustainable development: economic aspect. Indiana: University Of Indianapolis Press, 2005. Print. Lichtfouse, Eric. Sustainable agriculture. Berlin and Heidelberg: Springer Verlag, 2009. Print. Parris, Kevin, and Theresa, Poincet. Water and agriculture: sustainability, markets and policies. Paris: OECD, 2006. Print. VanLatesteijn, Henk. The transforum model: transforming agro innovation toward sustainable development. Berlin and Heidelberg: Springer Verlag, 2011. Print. Read More