What is Sustainable Agriculture - Term Paper Example

Since the end of World War II agriculture has changed dramatically. With the help of new technologies, mechanization, increased chemical use, specialization and government policies production has been maximized. Although these changes have had many positive impacts but it also had many risks involved for example topsoil depletion, groundwater contamination, the decline of family farms, continued neglect of the living and working conditions for farm laborers, increasing costs of production, and the disintegration of economic and social conditions in rural communities. A growing movement has emerged during the past two decades to question the role of the agricultural establishzzment in promoting practices that contribute to these social problems.This movement is known as sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture not only address many environmental and social concerns, but it offers innovative and economically viable opportunities for growers, laborers, consumers, policymakers and many others in the entire food system. (Feenstra 530) The term ''sustainable agriculture'' (U.S. Code Title 7, Section 3103) means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will over the long-term: Satisfy human food and fiber needs. Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agriculture economy depends. Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls. Sustain the economic viability of farm operations. Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.(Hedburg 1) Therefore Sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food healthy for consumers and animals, respects animals, does not harm the environment, is humane for workers, provides a fair wage to the farmer, and supports and enhances rural communities. Sustainable agriculture is different from industrial agriculture in many ways explained below Attributes Industrial Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture Conserve Healthy Soil In industrial agriculture heavy chemical is used which not only destroys the crops but also the soil Quality of soil declines because organic matter is completely destroyed due to the excessive usage of chemicals Chemicals are not used in sustainable agriculture. Soil is protected by natural ways Soil is protected from erosion by cover crops and organic matter is continually used Conserve water and quality Water is polluted by dropping Aquifers also the agricultural chemicals degrade water supplies and threaten aquatic life Farming methods conserve water and soil moisture and protect surface and ground water from pollutants and sediment Managing Organic Wastes By using Industrial agriculture methodology large amounts of animal wastes are transferred from one place to another which increases the chances of spills and water pollution Animal wastes provide nutrients for growing crops without polluting the water Encourage biodiversity Monoculture is the norm: farms are plowed fence row to fence row, wild “unused” areas are put into production, only the most productive few crop varieties or livestock breeds are raised Diversity is the norm: of habitats, livestock, crops, wild plant and animal species, and of genetics within crop and livestock species Select plants and animals adapted to the environment farmers raise non-adapted crops also Genetic engineering narrows genetic diversity Farmers raise such animals and plants adapted to the existing environment also genetic diversity is preserved Conserve non-renewable resources Use of fossil fuels isencouraged Food production is centralized in a few regions Conservation of fossil fuels is encouraged and Renewable energy resources are used Food production is decentralized to encourage local, biodiverse, environmentally-adapted food systems which save fossil fuels Increase profitability and reduce risk farmers are pressurized to increase the size of their operations Short term profit is in focus farmers are encouraged to protect natural resources and lead a healthy life long term benefit is in focus Ensure Equity for Farmers Large corporations control the farmers and markets through contracts Uncompetitive practices the norm Farmers have control over how they farm Contracts fair to both big and small operations and give farmers maximum flexibility and rights (Horne 2) Nowadays the trend of industrial agriculture have been increased which creates a number of problems for the environment two of them are Chemical Pollution A recent survey indicated that only about 16% of the world’s farmland remains free of problems specially the spread of chemical pollution. Rather than growing food to meet the needs of local communities for a healthy, diverse diet, industrial agriculture produces crops to sell on world markets. This agriculture uses costly farm chemicals and machinery. While world crop production has trebled since the 1950s, more people go hungry now as 20 years ago. Small family farmers are driven off their land and local people cannot afford to buy what is grown. Therefore, the result is a downward spiral of environmental destruction, poverty and hunger, and for this reason only sustainable farming practice, is at the heart of the survival of mankind (Oxfam 1) Habitat Destruction In addition to the environmental damage caused by chemical pesticides and fertilizers, the huge monocultured fields characteristic of industrial agriculture have dramatically reduced a number of wildlife populations by transforming habitats, displacing populations of native species, and introducing non-native species. Among countless other wild plants and animals, important game species such as prairie chickens, bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbits, and ring-necked pheasants have been greatly reduced or eliminated in areas of industrial agriculture. Diversified farming techniques, on the other hand, incorporate numerous varieties of plants, flowers, and weeds, and encourage the proliferation of various wildlife, insect, and plant species. Therefore industrial agriculture have been a disaster for the environment. (Kimbrell 85) In order to govern globalization, countries need to reconcile natural resource management and concern for the environment with the need to have more growth and employment. in the case of food supply chain management this is very much important, as environment pollution and climate change do threaten this agriculture productivity. Conventional ‘industrial’ agricultural practices are based on advanced breeding techniques and major inputs of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Food produced in this way is transport-intensive, requires highenergy processing, relies on modern retailing systems and demands high-tech kitchens. (Mariani 03) Sustainability and traceability of food produce is now more important to consumers than ever before. Environmental concern, social responsibility and economic viability are commonly identified as the three pillars of sustainability. Therefore the latest technique for achieving food sustainability is organic food production by different organic producer which offers many advantages They obtain healthy and taste appealing products, in an environmental friendly way They preserve vegetation and animal biodiversity, thanks to their ecological infrastructures They promote the landscape values of rural areas; They have a direct effect in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and in improving crop capability of carbon sequestration; They could support energy production from renewable sources; water, wind, sun and natural gas; They promote social agricultural systems, supporting the employment of disadvantaged categories They apply and promote contractual relations shared by social parties, and based on ethical and social principles; They promote local food, and don’t generate subsidized over-production, increasing dumping behaviour in Developing Countries; They promote a fair and sustainable economic system worldwide, a systems granting the food sovereignty of each people and community (Mariani 03) But the main problem is that certified organic food is not the same as sustainable food. They both are produced by different methods. Organic food is produced by organic farming while sustainable food is prepared by sustainable farming. Organic farming generally falls within the accepted definition of sustainable agriculture. However, these two fall in different categories since organic products can be (unsustainably) produced on large industrial farms, and farms that are not certified organic can produce food using methods that will sustain the farm's productivity for generations. To distinguish between organic and sustainable, here are some comparisons Certification Organic farms must be independently certified every year and approved by the USDA, while a farm using sustainable practices do not require any official certification. Animal Welfare Organic farmers need to give animals "access" to outdoors, but they can actually confine animals and gain organic certification with as little as an open door leading to a cement patio. In a more sustainable system, animals must be permitted to carry out their natural behaviors, like rooting, pecking or grazing. Antibiotics While no antibiotics can be fed to organic-certified livestock, there is no legal restriction for antibiotic use in sustainable farming. Many farmers using sustainable practices do not administer any antibiotics at all, but some may do so when their animals are sick and need to be treated. Artificial Hormones No added or artificial hormones are allowed for organic farming, nor are they used for sustainable farming. Corporate Involvement Organic food can be produced by large corporations, while sustainable food production is carried out by small farmers and families who live on the land where they farm. Size of the farm For organic farming, there is no limitation on how many acres can be used to grow crops. Sustainable farmers plant crops in relatively small, mixed plots as a form of pest control and to build soil fertility. Food Miles Organic food can travel thousands of miles before reaching your dinner plate, and certification does not take into consideration the use of fossil fuels used to truck food.  Sustainable food, however, is distributed and sold as close to the farm as possible. (Grace 02) So the main issue is to attain sustainable food as compared to organic food but the main problem in achieving sustainable food is The Growing Population As the population expands we may be faced with the choice of having to limit our number of offspring or risk exhausting natural resources and forcing nature to limit our population. The challenge in achieving sustainability for environment protection is to build on an economically viable and socially acceptable development and providing people the food that is affordable, safe to eat, of nutritional value and fitting their dietary and lifestyle preferences "Rob Hedburg." USDA.com.National Institute of Food & Agriculture, 18 March. 2009. Web. . "James E. Horne." The Next Green Revolution: Essential Steps to a Healthy, Sustainable Agriculture, 2001. Web. . "Gail Feenstra." What is Sustainable Agriculture? , 2008. Web. < http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/concept.htm>. "OXFAM." Farmingsolutions GREENPEACE briefing , Web. < http://www.greenpeace.org/international/PageFiles/24260/GMOandHUNGER.pdf>. Andrew Kimbrell. . Fatal Harvest: The Tragedy Of Industrial Agriculture Washington D.C: 2002. Maurizio Mariani." Sustainable agri-food supply chains and systems, June 2007. Web. < http://docs.china-europa-forum.net/doc_62.pdf>. "GRACE." Sustainable table serving up healthy food choices , Sep, 2009. Web. . Read More