SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Sustainable agriculture is term used for growing food that will nurture environment, economy and society. Sustainable agriculture is capable of producing diverse forms of high-quality foods, fibers and medicines. It is regenerative farming which sufficiently produces food, fiber and repairs damage. In present era it is observed that prevalent practices of cropping under extensive as well as intensive farming have caused harm to soil and environmental problems because of which agricultural production cannot be sustained. Today’s industrial farming methods are depleting our natural resources through monoculture and overuse of pesticides and fertilizers. Sustainable agriculture is a way to maintain soil fertility, water purity, it preserves bio-diversity. It helps in conserving the biological, physical and chemical qualities of the soil.
Sustainable agriculture is an effort to produce food on a continuous basis, while adopting measure to overcome the damage caused by destructive practices. The principle of Sustainable agriculture points to -meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainable agriculture is ecologically sound way, economically viable, socially just and humane, culturally appropriate and has a holistic as well as scientific approach. Sustainable agriculture does not deplete soil, it is based on the strategy to protect soil and water, and it supports local communities and promote health of the people.