I've been working on coming up with the definition of sustainable
agriculture and found it a little more challenging than I anticipated. Here
is one version I got my hands on:
" A sustainable agriculture is one that, over the long term,
enhances environmental quality and the resource base on
which agriculture depends; provides for basic human food and
fiber needs, is economically viable, and enhances the quality
of life for farmers and society as a whole."
-Agronomy Society of America (1989)
I have trouble with this definition because I don't agree that
sutainable agriculture actually has to build up or "enhance" the
soil or the environment. I would consider that "regenerative "
agriculture. Sustainability I think just means maintaining the
the current level of productivity forever, not necessarily
improving it. Also, I don't agree that sustainable agriculture
necessarily has to provide for basic human needs- you could
farm anything in a sustainable manner, it is simply a method
of producing; what is produced is irrelevant. Also economic
viability seems to be outside the basic issue- either a system
can produce food inevitably without depleteing the resource,
or it can't. Whether or not it makes money is also irrelevant. It
is a system that exists independant of economic factors. And
"enhance the quality of life..." well sure, it would be nice, but I
don't think that is relevant to the definition either- it is a
possible side effect. I'm looking for the bare bones definition.
Webster's definition of sustain:
" to prevent from falling, collapsing or giving way/ to keep
going/ to provide nourishment/ to support, bear/ to endure"
-1993. Lexicon Publications.
Other tid bits I came across:
Sustainable agriculture implies a closed self-sufficient
system that uses only fertilizers produced on the farm since
non renewable inputs cannot be maintained indefinately.
Sustainable agriculture means the annual yield of products can
be maintianed in perpetuity.
Sustainable agriculture implies continuous soil fertility in
which soil is depleted at a rate less than or equal to the rate
of soil formation.
A balanced system in which resources are never depleted.
An ideal state in which soil fertility and productivity remain
optimum forever.
I've also heard sustainable agriculture defined as an
agricultural practice that leaves the land no more degraded
than it is at present for future generations.
Putting these ideas together I came up with:
"Sustainable agriculture is the continuous production of plants
and animals for man's use which provides optimum annual
yields while maintaining the fertility of the resource base
(e.g. soil air, water) it is dependant on in perpetuity."
Or better yet-
"Sustainable agriculture is the continuous production of plants
and animals for man's use providing optimum annual yields
while perpetuating the fertility of the resource base (eg. soil,
air, water) it is dependant on."
So now I'm looking for some thoughts, reactions, and possible
improvements to my new definition. Respond to me directly, or
through Sanet-
-Jessica Laub