Sustainable Agriculture:

An Integrated Approach
 Understanding Sustainable Agriculture

● meeting the needs of the population for

agricultural produce
● making efficient use of non-renewable resources supporting
the natural ecosystem
● and mimicking natural processes with farming
techniques
● sustaining the economic independence of
farmers.
 Combining Techniques for Better Results

● Using a mix of agricultural techniques can lead to better outcomes than

using them in isolation.
● Local soil and climate conditions should guide the choice of techniques.
 Making Sustainable Choices

● Sustainable agriculture allows for some artificial materials if they benefit the
ecosystem.
● Decisions about farming practices can be debated; what is sustainable for
one may not be for another.
 The Role of Fertilizers in Sustainable Farming
● Overusing fertilizers can harm the environment, causing issues like water
contamination and subsequent eutrophication.
● Artificial fertilisersuse a lot of energy in their
production, and many are fast acting,
releasing nutrients quickly into the soil, which is
a risk when there are high volumesof
rain.
● Organic fertilizers, like animal manure and compost, release nutrients slowly
and improve soil health.
● reduce the risk of eutrophication
● in many areas are a waste product, so using
them for agriculture saves on disposal costs
are already present on many farms, so there are
minimal transportcosts associated with using them
 Understanding Managed Grazing
● Managed grazing helps prevent overgrazing by controlling livestock
movement.
● It maintains soil fertility through animal waste distribution.
● reducing the ability of grazed plants to regrow
ensuring sufficientgrazing by preventing scrubland plants
from establishing because they are eaten as
young seedlings maintaining appropriate soil
fertility,
● by moving livestock between different fields they are
all fertilised by the animal waste and no
area receives too many nutrients maintaining good
drainage,
● as appropriate grazing by livestock helps prevent
unnecessary compaction of the soil by the
animals' hooves (compacted soil does not drain as
easily, which affects the growth and cover of
 The Importance of Crop Rotation
● Crop rotation reduces pests and diseases by changing planting locations.
● It optimizes fertilizer use, especially with nitrogen-fixing legumes.
● for example with plants that need deep cultivation
being sown after the harvesting of root
crops
● efficient use of available fertilisers, for example by
utilising the nitrogen fixed in the roots of
legumes
● growing a range of crops which means there is
less likely to be an over-supply in
the marketplace
● increasing the likelihood of at least one
good crop in any one year, as crop
success can vary each growing season and a
range of crops spreads the risk of
 Benefits of Diverse Cropping

● a wider diet for the farmer, if a

range of crops is available rather than one
monoculture
● natural fertiliser for the soil if animals are
included in the rotation, and old crop residues
can be eaten by the livestock
 Advancements in Plant Varieties
● New crop varieties can reduce irrigation needs.
● Some varieties are resistant to pests and diseases, improving reliability.
● reduced pesticide use, because of pest-resistance
● the ability to combat certain plant diseases(such as
viruses) where no other form exists
● a reduced need for irrigation throughout the plant's
life, because of drought resistance shorter
● cropping cycles, allowing two or more crops a year
● reduced herbicide use, because of herbicide resistance,
although so far this has only been achieved
through genetic modification, for example resistance
to the herbicide glyphosate means a
growing crop can be sprayed and only the
weeds affected an extended harvesting.
 Challenges and Considerations

● The long-term effects of new crop varieties on ecosystems are still unknown.
● Farmers must weigh the benefits of new technologies against potential risks.
 Understanding Irrigation Efficiency

● Irrigation efficiency is crucial for meeting agricultural demands with limited

water resources.
● Sustainable agriculture focuses on targeted water use to support crops
effectively.
 Benefits of Trickle-Drip Irrigation

● Trickle-drip irrigation minimizes water usage by delivering water directly to

plant roots.
● Provides water only when plants need them
● It reduces labor through automation
● and lowers the risk of soil salinization.
 Rainwater Harvesting

● Rainwater harvesting involves collecting and storing rainwater for irrigation.

● This method helps conserve clean water sources for other uses.
 Challenges in Sustainable Agriculture

● Agriculture faces pressure to produce more food sustainably for a growing

population.
● Understanding soil composition and management is key to maximizing crop
yields.
 The Future of Agriculture

● The role of genetic modification and crop choices will shape future food
production.
● Balancing food needs with environmental sustainability is a major challenge.
 1. a) Mineral particles [1] Organic content [1] Soil water [1] Air [1]
b) A drought will have no impact on the amount of mineral particles or organic content in the
[Link] use of water by plants and evaporation will reduce the proportion in the soil, increasing
the amount of air present. [1]
2. Changing the pH will affect the ability of the plant's roots to take up the nutrients it needs.
The change may increase or decrease their availability. [1]
3. Introduction of new high-yielding varieties, such as rice cultivar [Link] to
[Link] and use of pesticides. Improved farming education and knowledge.
Increased mechanisation. [3]
4. Less build-up of pests and diseases as a different crop is occupying the same soil space the
following year. Use of different types of crops means that a nutrients are less likely to be wasted.
Inclusion of legumes adds nitrogen to the soil.
Different cultural techniques for different crops improve soil structure. [2]
5 Use of trickle-drip or clay-pot irrigation. Rainwater harvesting, collection and storage of water for
future use. Use of mulches to reduce evaporation from the soil. Use of more drought-resistance
[Link] apply when weather/soil conditions demand it. [3]
6. Excess nutrients might harm the crop (root death, toxicity).Risk of nutrients leaching into water
supplies (resulting in eutrophication).Fertilisers in water supply might be harmful to humans (blue
baby syndrome).
Excess fertilisers also waste money for the farmer. [2]
7 Ability to grow a second crop might mean more food/ income. [1] If a crop is a legume it might
help provide nutrients for the main crop. [1] The risk of complete crop failure is spread if two crops
are grown. [1]