Sustainable Farming Systems in the 21st Century

Agriculture is at a critical juncture. To feed a growing world population, producing adequate crop yields is vital but only one of four main goals that must be met for agriculture to be sustainable. The other three are enhancing the environment, making farming financially viable, and contributing to the well-being of farmers and their communities. Conventional farming systems have provided increasing supplies of food and other products, but often at the expense of the other three sustainability goals. Alternative systems, such as organic, integrated, and conservation farming, better blend production, environment, and socio-economic objectives. Yet no one of these systems alone will produce enough food to sustainably feed the planet. Rather, a blend of these innovative farming approaches is needed for future global food and ecosystem security.