There are many environmental and social costs associated with conventional agriculture or what may be termed as industrial or high tech agriculture. There is now general agreement that conventional agriculture is not sustainable. The paper considers the way agriculture can produce enough food for the rising global population and at the same time maintain environmental quality. Effects of agriculture on the environment and issues which affect agriculture are considered. The paper concludes that sustainable agriculture probably relies on a combination of farming systems - both organic and a more sustainable form of conventional agriculture relying on green technologies. Certification systems play an important role in achieving sustainability objectives as do ecological taxes. The issue of trade liberalisation and North-South relations is likely to remain much more contentious and harder to resolve in the future, particularly equitable food distribution.
Table of Contents
1 ABSTRACT
2 Introduction
3 Issues in agriculture
3.1 Effects of agriculture on the environment
3.2 Global issues affecting agriculture
4 Way forward
5 Conclusion
6 References
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper examines the sustainability of conventional, industrial-scale agriculture in the context of a rising global population. It explores the environmental and social challenges inherent in modern high-tech farming and evaluates potential pathways toward a more sustainable future that balances food production with environmental preservation.
- Environmental impacts of conventional farming (e.g., soil erosion, water contamination).
- Global trends affecting agriculture, including climate change and trade liberalization.
- The role of green technologies and farming system innovation.
- The importance of certification systems and policy-driven ecological economics.
- Balancing traditional knowledge with modern scientific techniques.
Excerpt from the Book
3 Issues in agriculture
Increasing food production to meet the demand of current and future population will be difficult as there are many issues in agriculture, both in terms of agricultural impacts on the environment and the impact of the environment on agriculture.
3.1 Effects of agriculture on the environment
One of the key issues to consider is the availability of arable land and the way this land is used for agriculture. Increased land use allocation conflicts are expected in the future. Loss of agricultural land to urban land uses is a concern in some states, for example in California according to UCLA (1997) as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina where the author resides. There is also a loss of agricultural land due to soil erosion and desertification. With rising global population, there will also be a further conversion of natural habitat into agricultural land, primarily in developing countries (Hole et al. 2005). Due to increasing meat consumption, most of the arable land expansion will be used for the production of animal feedstuffs (Eickhout et al., 2006; Smith et al. 2007). Much of this new arable land will come from the clearing of rainforests which conflicts with environmental goals of the MDG (Eickhout et al., 2006; Smith et al. 2007). Land use pressures will be particularly high in India and China (Eickhout et al., 2006). Accompanying these land use changes, will probably be an increase in the use of water, fertilizers and pesticides (Hole et al. 2005). This in turn has other consequences that are well documented in the literature, and will only be briefly discussed here.
Summary of Chapters
1 ABSTRACT: This section outlines the central argument that current industrial agriculture is unsustainable and proposes a hybrid approach involving organic methods and green technologies.
2 Introduction: It highlights the environmental and social costs of modern agriculture and poses the core question of how to feed a growing population without causing further environmental degradation.
3 Issues in agriculture: This chapter analyzes the specific environmental stressors caused by farming, such as water scarcity and pesticide use, as well as broader global influences like climate change.
4 Way forward: It evaluates potential solutions, arguing that a combination of traditional practices and modern, sustainable agricultural technology is essential for future food security.
5 Conclusion: The concluding chapter emphasizes that agriculture must integrate economic, environmental, and social goals to meet global developmental standards.
6 References: A comprehensive list of the academic sources and data utilized to support the arguments presented throughout the text.
Keywords
Sustainable agriculture, Industrial agriculture, Food security, Environmental impact, Green technologies, Biodiversity, Soil erosion, Pesticide use, Trade liberalization, Global population, Integrated Pest Management, Organic farming, Climate change, Certification systems, Resource efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The paper examines whether contemporary industrial agriculture can be considered sustainable and explores how global food production can be maintained or increased while protecting the environment.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Central themes include the environmental consequences of high-tech farming, the impact of global issues like climate change, and the potential for new technologies and policies to facilitate sustainable change.
What is the author's main research question?
The research asks what form of agriculture can successfully produce enough food for a rising global population while simultaneously maintaining environmental quality, and whether this requires a return to the past or a new way forward.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The author conducts a literature-based review and analysis of existing environmental and agricultural studies to synthesize arguments regarding future agricultural sustainability.
What does the main body of the text address?
The main body details specific environmental problems (water usage, soil health, pesticide dependency), global trends (trade, fossil fuel reliance), and proposes potential solutions like integrated pest management and certification schemes.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include sustainable agriculture, food security, environmental impact, green technologies, and biodiversity.
Does the author suggest that organic farming is the only solution?
No, the author argues that while organic farming is valuable, it is insufficient on its own; therefore, a combination of organic methods and sustainable, technology-driven conventional practices is required.
What role does certification play in this context?
Certification systems, such as EUREPGAP or Fairtrade, are identified as critical mechanisms for enforcing higher management standards and encouraging producers to adopt more sustainable practices.
How does the author view the "return to the past" concept?
The author suggests that a total return to the past is impractical due to population demands, but that integrating traditional or indigenous knowledge with modern scientific techniques is a viable part of the solution.
- Quote paper
- Benjamin Toric (Author), 2007, Can agriculture be sustainable in its present industrial and high tech form or must it “return to the past”?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/111064
