Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainable Agricultural Systems

Sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of plant production practices that aim to satisfy the present food requirements of the society without compromising the needs of the future generations. It also seeks to make efficient use of non-renewable resources to minimize water use, promote soil health, and minimize pollution levels on the farm. Some of the major sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) and systems that are practiced all over the world include agroforestry, conservation farming, contour farming, covering-mulching, crop-rotation, floating-farming, organic-farming, rainwater-harvesting and vermicomposting. Agroforestry refers to a farming practice wherein forests and shrubs are integrated within animal and crop farming system in order to obtain social, economic and environmental benefits. Conservation farming is an approach to sustainable agriculture which involves minimal disturbance of soil and diversification of plant species. This book includes some of the vital pieces of works being conducted across the world, on various topics related to sustainable agriculture. It unravels the various challenges and opportunities related to sustainable agricultural systems. This book will prove to be immensely beneficial to students and researchers studying sustainable agricultural systems.