Concept of sustainable agriculture
- Sustainable agriculture is the successful management of resources for agriculture to satisfy the changing human needs while maintaining or enhancing the quality of environment and conserving natural resources.
- Agriculture is said to be sustainable if it meets the following criteria:
- Ecologically sound- the quality of natural resources is maintained and the vitality of the entire ecosystem from humans, crop, and animals to soil organisms-is enhanced
- Economically viable-farmers can produce enough for self-sufficiency and income and gain sufficient returns to warrant the labor costs involved.
- Socially just- resources and power are distributed in such a way that the basic needs of all members of society are met and their rights to land use adequate capital, technical assistance and market opportunities are assured.
- Humane-all forms of life (plant, animal and human) are respected.
- Adaptable-rural communities are capable of adjusting to constantly changing conditions for farming.