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Sustainable Agriculture

Dr. Lau Wei Hong

What is Sustainable Agriculture?

The word "sustain," from the Latinsustinere (sus-, from below and tenere, tohold), to keep in existence or maintain,implies long-term support or permanence.

Sustainability promotes biodiversity, recyclesplant nutrients, protects soil from erosion,conserves and protects water, uses minimumtillage, and integrates crop and livestockenterprises on the farm. There are 3 objectivesshich a farm or rural community practicingsustainability has to fulfill: Economic development

Environmental conservation

Socio-political benefits

Sustainability SCL DISCUSS THE SPECIFIC STRATEGIES TO

ACHIEVE SUSTAINABILITY in

1. Economic development

2. Environmental conservation

3. Socio-political benefits

Economic development

Economic development requires selecting profitable enterprises, sound financial planning, proactive marketing, risk control and good overall management.

Net financial increase consistently

through saving

Economic development

External purchase of feed and

fertilizer decreases

Family debt

decreases

Less reliance on government

subsidies

Farm enterprise reaps profits year

after year

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Environmental conservation involveskeeping the four ecosystem processes(effective energy flow, water andmineral cycles, and viable ecosystemdynamics) in good condition.

Environmental conservation 1. Water Cycle• Reduce deforestation• Awareness campaign

7 education

2. Energy Flow•Growing of season cover crops.•Forbid slash & burn.•Canserve forest.•Encourage home planting

Manure

3. Mineral Cycle

Plant

Animal

Soil

Plants•Conserve forest.•Zero burning.

•Biological control.•Basic framework

integrated pest management.

Animals •Animal shelter.•Avoid hunting mere extinct

animal.

4.Ecosystem Dynamic

Environmental conservation

Intercropping

Crop rotation

Cover crops, composts and fertilizers

Borders, windbreaks and special plantings

Zero burning

Pest management

Tillage

Socio-political benefits

keeping money circulating in the local economy, and maintaining or enhancing the quality of life of the farm family.

Socio-political benefits The farm supports other businesses and families in

the community.

Money circulate within the local economy.

The number of rural families is going up or holdingsteady.

Young people take over their parents' farms andcontinue farming.

College graduates return to the community aftergraduation.

Principles in Sustainable Agriculture

keeping soil covered

avoiding plowing

increasing biodiversity wherever possible through croprotation, intercropping, use of cover crops, and integrated pestmanagement

applying animal manures or compost

diversifying enterprises and planning for profit

integrating crop and animal enterprises

minimizing tillage, commercial fertilizer, and pesticides

buying supplies locally

employing local people

including quality of life in your goals.