Sustainable agriculture is farming in sustainable ways meeting society’s present food and textile needs, without compromising the ability for current or future generations to meet their needs. In harmony with nature.
Challenges
There are several challenges and risks with both conventional and sustainable farming. Conventional agriculture causes increased greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, and water pollution and threatens human health. In contrast, sustainable farming has a smaller carbon footprint and conserves and builds soil health; however, it reduces agricultural production and involves higher production costs because farmers need more resources and must follow strict practices. Additionally, crops are more susceptible to illnesses, which may slow down harvesting output.
Solutions
- We recommend the use of sustainable seeds and restrict the use of GMO quality, but a grower can use heirloom seeds and recommend hybrid seeds (research quality) approved by global biotech agencies as well.
- The amounts of residues found in food must be safe for consumers and must be as low as possible; the parameter should match with the global MRL database.
- SAS standards also push social equivalence and financial uplifting of wage earners using our social clauses.
- Traceability should be available at every step—with the use of technology, we are making it possible.
- Sustainable input cost is higher; hence we are providing low-cost alternatives like biodynamic, natural farming, etc. Promoting Non-chemical agents such as insect predators, mating disruption, and traps are used to protect crops from pests and disease. Weeds are managed through crop rotation, tillage, hand weeding, cover crops, mulches, flame weeding, and other management methods.