DEFINITION AND GOALS OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Authors: RAINS, G - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA; Lewis, Wallace; Olson, Dawn

Submitted to: Dekker Encyclopedia of Plant and Crop Science
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/22/2003
Publication Date: 2/1/2004
Citation: Rains, G.C., Lewis, W.J. 2004. Sustainable agriculture: definition and goals. Encyclopedia of Plant and Crop Science, Agropedia, Marcel Dekker, NY. p.1187-1190.

Interpretive Summary: The environmental and economic consequences of current therapeutic-based farming practices are escalating. A fundamental shift to sustainable agricultural principles, based on fostering the renewable inherent strengths of agroecosystems is urgent. Such a shift requires understanding the "built-in" attributes of such systems and developing strategies for protecting and enhancing these attributes, while employing therapeutic interventions only as complimentary backups. Achievement of these goals will require major commitments in the research, education, and agricultural production sectors. However, the potential long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits are immense.

Technical Abstract: The environmental and economic consequences of current therapeutic-based farming practices are escalating. A fundamental shift to sustainable agricultural principles, based on fostering the renewable inherent strengths of agroecosystems is urgent. Such a shift requires understanding the "built-in" attributes of such systems and developing strategies for protecting and enhancing these attributes, while employing therapeutic interventions only as complimentary backups. Achievement of these goals will require major commitments in the research, education, and agricultural production sectors. However, the potential long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits are immense.