Every day that we listen to the news, watch TV, read newspapers there is continuous warning about damage to the environment. Is very common to hear about global warming which according to scientists, is caused by human activities and greenhouse emissions. The issue is getting worse. The world needs to find alternatives to decrease global warming. The task; is not easy however it is necessary to start improving those existent alternatives. Aside of be a way to produce food, sustainable agriculture is also an opportunity to help decline global warming. It is crucial that every country consider seriously sustainable agriculture to improve lives. Sustainable agriculture is the best alternative not only for farmers but also for countries because preserves environment, its practice brings social benefits to the community, increases the Gross National Product (GNP), improves standard of living and increases diversification.
Sustainable agriculture is a kind of farming in which one of the most important considerations is to conserve the ecosystem. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) (1997) tells us that “sustainable agriculture encompasses diverse methods of farming and ranching that are more profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities” (para 2) According to Gold, “Sustainable agriculture was addressed by Congress in the 1990 "Farm Bill" under that law, the term sustainable agriculture means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application”. Gold also explains that the main goals of sustainable agriculture are related to conservation of the environment, consecution of economic profit and increasing of community work. She states the best way how resources either renewable or non renewable have to be uses, in order to get the best results without cause damages to ecosystem specially soils, water, and wild life. Agroecology (n.d) lists the principles of sustainable agriculture “Use renewable resources, minimize toxics, conserve resources, conserve soil, conserve water, conserve energy, conserve genetic resources, conserve capital, manage ecological relationships, adjust to local environments, diversify, empower people, manage whole systems, maximize long-term benefits, value health” (para 1). This article shows us clearly that the principles of sustainable drive us to great benefits.
However, although sustainable agriculture is considered by experts as a great option to produce food at the same time that the environment is conserved, is has not been developed throughout the world. In fact there are not many countries in the world that have considered seriously sustainable agriculture as a alternative to decrease global warming. According to University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP) (1997) there have been debates of whether or not this is the best alternative of growing crops arguing that the costs of its implementation are much higher than traditional agriculture. However most of the people have accepted as a great alternative of crops.
First, sustainable agriculture preserves the environment. One of the main goals of sustainability is to preserve the environment. Sustainable agriculture helps to reduce erosion. As a requirement to get a certification farmers have to apply techniques of conservation of soils while crop. Furthermore, implementing sustainable agriculture has many benefits for, water and wildlife. Water is used more cautious, wildlife is preserved. Rainforest Alliance (n.d.) tells us that sustainable agriculture requires implementing new techniques to conserve ecosystem for Rainforest Alliance (n.d.) “A certification means: less water pollution, less soil erosion, reduced threats to the environment and human as the most dangerous pesticides are prohibited, more wildlife, and less waste, less water use as water conservation measures are applied”. (para. 2). In other words traditional methods of agriculture do not fit in Rainforest Alliance certification, so farmers will have the opportunity of growing crops without having environmental problems. Sustainable agriculture has become the best substitute of old methods of produce food.
Second, sustainable agriculture preserves social benefits. Sustainable agriculture improves community relationships and equity. The best way to put into operation sustainable agriculture is by organizing communities. An organized community will work for common benefits, so farmers help each other. as a result they will get not only an enhanced standard of life but also improved relationship among families. Rainforest Alliance (n.d.) claims that certified sustainable agriculture means “improved morale among farm workers who are getting fair wages and have decent housing, clean drinking water, sanitary facilities and a safe and wholesale work area” (para 3). Rainforest Alliance (n.d) also tells us that “Workers and their families have access to schools, health care, transportation, and training” (para. 2). This article shows us undoubtedly how communities are benefited by implementing sustainable agriculture. In addition, by applying sustainable agriculture there is more production working as a community. Considering sustainable agriculture an opportunity to work in community it is safe to say that farmers will get more and better production. If they work together they will improve their techniques because all of them will give ideas so they would be able to increase quantity and quality.
Finally, sustainable agriculture improves diversity. Farmers practicing sustainable agriculture have to diversify crops. In order to preserve nutrients on soils it is necessary to diversify the kind of crops. If in a given year a farmer crops soybean and the next year he crops corn the harvest of corn will be very good because soybean is rich in nutrient so, those nutrient on soil will help to develop crop without having to use other fertilizers. Furthermore, with diversification on sustainable agriculture farmers can compete in market because they will have more products to offer. By distributing the land in diverse kind of crops not only get a variety of product but also plants develop better because they help each other. Pest that affect corn do not affect beans then pest problems are reduced. By diversifying in sustainable agriculture give new experiences and new opportunities to farmers, knowledge and results are improved.
Opponents of sustainable agriculture claim that is not the best alternative because it increases the costs of production and that there is not possible for everyone. However they have not taken into account that sustainable agriculture increases the Gross National Product (GNP), and that at the end they will not only have personal benefits but also the country. Those farmers that implement new and modern techniques of crop get better results in production than those that continue using traditional techniques, so the will have better economic benefits. Moreover, there is money available for those people that want to implement sustainable agriculture. Most countries are trying to encourage farmers to increase sustainable agriculture by offering funding as an economic alternative. SARE (n.d) tells us that “Now, farmers and ranchers can apply for grants that typically run between $500 and $15,000” (para 3). In many countries there exist community cooperatives sponsored by the government that which its main goal is support little farmers. While producing, farmers are helping each other in their work and money is no longer a problem.
Sustainable agriculture is a great alternative of development not only for the present generation but also for the future. By improving sustainable agriculture, people get better quality and standard of life because those are some of the main goals of sustainable agriculture. By producing food is a great need in the whole world however the way that food is produced it is more important than production. If the earth is damaged every time that a crop is ended, soon we will not have enough land to produce alimentation for the world. Sustainable agriculture is a way to conserve the earth; its implementation is needed.
References:
Case studies (n.d.). Agroecology. Retrieved February 16, 2008, from
http://www.agroecology.org/Principles.html
Gold, M. sustainable agriculture: definition and terms (August 2007). United
States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved February 14, 2008, from
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/terms/srb9902.shtml
Halprin, L. (2007). Growers, researchers collaborate at sustainable agriculture
field day. UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
(SAREP). Retrieved February 16, 2008, from
http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/newsltr/v19n3/v19n3.pdf
Sustainable agriculture (n.d.). Sustainable Agriculture Research and
Education (SARE). Retrieved February 14, 2008, from
http://www.sare.org/coreinfo/consumers.htm
Sustainable agriculture (n.d.). Rainforest Alliance – Benefits.
Retrieved February 19, 2008, from
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/agriculture/benefits.html
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