sustainable agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is a type of agriculture that is characterized by offering greater environmental protection, while seeking high levels of agricultural efficiency. It also raises regional policies and seeks responsible sourcing.

The main objective of sustainable agriculture is environmental protection. As well as economic well-being and public health in rural settings. All this, while advocating, in the same way, for food security and the supply of different geographical areas is another of its main goals.

In this sense, this agricultural approach proposes a mode of action in the face of the scarcity of resources and many productive practices that harm environmental sustainability.

As a result of these actions, rural environments or markets are the main recipients of this type of policy. This is to improve their living conditions, away from industrial operations, while ensuring their well-being.

Sustainability projects within the framework of agriculture have common objectives, seeking international collaboration both at a social, political and institutional level.

Characteristic features of sustainable agriculture

Sustainable agriculture encompasses multiple trends that can be found in the agricultural field. However, it is possible to classify some of its most notable characteristics:

• It proposes agricultural production methods that respect the ecosystem and the responsible management of natural resources. Avoid radical use of machinery or the use of chemical stimulants and pollutants.
• It must protect the economic interests of small and medium farmers, ensuring their profitability. At the same time, it must facilitate the access of all types of consumers to the resulting products.
• It establishes the need for environmental care as a model for the protection of generations, both today and in the future. That is to say, it has a social will.
• One of the economic concepts on which it is based is efficiency. It is applied in the responsible and efficient use of natural resources and the means of production aimed at agri-food exploitation.
• Promotion of local and regional environments. Territorial markets and the closest agricultural trade are the most favored by sustainability policies.
• It stands as a tool for the prevention of climate change and for the exhaustive care of different ecosystems.

Sustainable agriculture expansion

In recent decades, this phenomenon has grown, adapting to the characteristics of the different territories around the world.

Since its birth, in the 1970s, it has been gaining relevance and presence on the social and political agenda. All this, together with a green and respectful perspective with the planet.

In turn, it is associated with environmental protection and surveillance movements, such as anti-globalization and the circular economy.

On the other hand, there are a large number of varieties or methodologies that put into practice the main approaches of sustainable agriculture.