What is sustainable agriculture?

Sustainable agriculture is a key element of sustainable development

• Sustainable agriculture for sustainable development is one of the plant science industry’s key priorities.
  
  
• The plant science industry contributes to sustainable agriculture by delivering crop protection solutions and technologies that help meet the food, feed and fibre needs of an increasing world population, while at the same time delivering economic, social and environmental benefits.
  
  
• Sustainable agriculture needs to be economically viable, environmentally sound and socially acceptable.
  
  

'World agriculture cannot be sustainable without science-based technology…' - Per Pinstrup-Anderson, Professor of Food, Nutrition and Public Policy, Cornell University, CropLife International Annual Conference, June 2003.  Sustainable development requires a major contribution from agriculture – the basic driver of most of the world’s economies and the essential underpinning of even the most advanced societies.  CropLife International is a key stakeholder in any debate on agriculture, and has much to offer as a genuine partner of farmers, civil society and governments.

Sustainable agriculture is a key element of sustainable development and is essential to the future well-being of the human race and the planet.  Sustainable agriculture needs to be economically viable, environmentally sound and socially acceptable.  It is a system of agricultural production that, over the long term, will:

• Satisfy human food, feed and fibre needs.
  
  
• Enhance the environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends.
  
  
• Make the most efficient use of available technologies, non-renewable 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.
  
  

CropLife member companies and associations support the aims of sustainable agriculture:

“to produce sufficient, affordable food and fibre, economically and in an environmentally and socially sensitive manner, maintaining the natural resource base for future generations.”

Plant science products and technologies have made a significant contribution to the sustainable development of agriculture and, in turn, to the dramatic economic and social developments that have taken place in most parts of the world during the 20th century.

Our efforts focus on protecting and improving yields, and preserving natural resources such as soil and water, using a wide range of technologies, including chemical crop protection and biotechnology. By making one of humankind’s most environmentally disruptive activities more productive and efficient on existing arable land, we are helping prevent the conversion of further virgin land and its precious biodiversity to farmland.

In addition to innovative technology development and transfer, we support integrated farming techniques and capacity building through the transfer of knowledge to less developed countries. Integrated farming, which comprises Integrated Crop Management (ICM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) means using the best available technologies and methods to meet the goals of sustainable agriculture.

Technology and proper and effective stewardship are the pillars of sustainable agriculture and sustainable development.  We lead programmes to ensure the safe and effective use of our products and technologies throughout their lifespan.  Wherever possible, we work in constructive partnerships with relevant stakeholders to find solutions and maximise impact..

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- What is sustainable agriculture?