What is Sustainable Agriculture?

In sustainable agriculture, it is essential to protect the existence of natural resources and to use them efficiently. The production system and practices made by ensuring the cost-effective production of foods grown in nature and the protection of the land, environment and natural resources enter into sustainable agriculture. Since the resources in nature, which has a magnificent balance and power, are not endless, the existing resources must be protected and carried to the future.

Sustainable agriculture will also contribute to the economy as it aims to increase food production. The long-term negative effects of industrial agriculture are the global damages that may occur with excessive profit and the subsequent destruction of nature.

What is the Difference Between Organic Agriculture and Sustainable Agriculture?
It is aimed to protect the natural balance in both agricultural systems. However, there are standard differences between them. Industrially applied organic agriculture may have harmful effects on the environment and human health. In organic farming practices, where the ecosystem is destroyed, situations such as excessive consumption of fossil fuels can reduce the yield rate in the soil.
While organic agriculture focuses on a production logic free from chemicals, sustainable agriculture aims to increase biodiversity and productivity in a logic based on efficient use of existing resources and conservation of resources. In sustainable agriculture, it is aimed to produce the product forever, taking into account the environmental understanding.

What are the Principles of Sustainable Agriculture?

• To prevent irreversible changes (erosion, etc.) in the soil,
• To prevent excessive resource consumption in operations such as irrigation during agriculture,
• To contribute to the natural balance with agricultural activities,
• The products produced are beneficial to health,
• Preventing bad inhibition of the surrounding ecosystem and living fauna

Why Is Sustainable Agriculture Important?

The world population is growing at a rapid pace. This situation will create a serious nutritional need in the coming years. One of the main goals of industrial agriculture is to ensure that everyone has access to basic needs today and in the years to come.

Producing food at an affordable cost and in abundance can reduce or even completely eliminate the problem of accessing food sources, which is one of the biggest problems in the world today. Survival and meeting their basic needs are recognized by the United Nations as the fundamental right of everyone living in the world. Sustainable agriculture will be beneficial in many places where food access is difficult today.

On the other hand, there are industrial agricultural organizations that cause great harm to the environment today. Sustainable agriculture is a method that has made it a principle to prevent adverse environmental conditions. Contributing to the ecosystem while producing and making a profit can be possible with sustainable agriculture.

Benefits of Sustainable Agriculture

• Sustainable agriculture can ensure maximum efficiency from small areas. Thanks to the sustainable agricultural practices prevailing in the Netherlands today, it is possible to grow more than one crop in small greenhouse areas.
• A farm where sustainability is implemented will also create a habitat for the surrounding plants and animals and will positively affect the ecosystem. Fertile lands will also be a habitat for animals, and will also contribute to agricultural production.
• Making the soil fertile can ensure that it is used for years. It is possible to increase the yield in the soil with sustainable agricultural practices.
• Sustainable agriculture ensures that regional and global food needs are met. It can completely eliminate the problem of access to food, as it has the possibility of abundant and frequent harvesting.
• Employment is also among the benefits of sustainable agriculture. Farms working with this principle contribute to the decrease in unemployment level by providing intense employment in the region.