Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices

having a site-specific application that will last over the long term. It aims to satisfy human food
and fibre needs, to enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which
the agricultural economy depends, to make the most efficient use of non-renewable and on-
farm resources and integrate natural biological cycles and controls, to sustain the economic
viability of farm operations, and to enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a
whole. Sustainable agriculture techniques enable higher resource efficiency. These essentially
include methods that protect and enhance the crops and the soil, improve water absorption
and use efficient seed treatments.
The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is one of the eight Missions of
Government of India outlined under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and
aims at promoting sustainable agriculture through 17 deliverables focusing on 10 key
dimensions of Indian agriculture. NMSA as a programmatic intervention, operational from
2014-15, aims at making agriculture more productive, sustainable, and remunerative and
climate resilient by promoting location specific integrated/composite farming systems; soil
and moisture conservation measures; comprehensive soil health management; efficient water
management practices and mainstreaming rainfed technologies.
Major Components of NMSA are:
(1) Rainfed Area Development (RAD): RAD focuses on Integrated Farming System
(IFS) for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks associated with climatic
variabilities. Under this system, crops/cropping system is integrated with activities like
horticulture, livestock, fishery, agro-forestry, apiculture etc. to enable farmers not only
in maximizing farm returns for sustaining livelihood, but also to mitigate the impacts
of drought, flood or other extreme weather events with the income opportunity from
allied activities during crop damage.
(2) Soil Health Management (SHM): SHM is aimed at promoting location as well as
crop specific sustainable soil health management including residue management,
organic farming practices by way of creating and linking soil fertility maps with macro-
micro nutrient management, appropriate land use based on land type.
Government of Madhya Pradesh has embarked on an ambitious plan to develop 1,100 'climate-
smart' villages with an aim to prepare farmers to manage the climate change risks timely and
ensure high productivity. The work is being taken up under the NMSA. 100 villages in each of
the 11 agro-climatic zones of the state would be taken up under the plan. Farmers in these
villages would be encouraged to go for short duration variety of crops, in addition to using
drought-resistance seeds. The focus would be on integrated agriculture, comprising animal
husbandry and fisheries, in addition to traditional farming. Agro-forestry would also be
adopted in these villages.
Sustainable Practices in Horticultural Crop Production
Sustainable horticulture involves crop production system and practices of horticultural crops
with a view to maintaining or enhancing the health of natural resource base within the
constraints of market-based production system. In order to address the challenges being faced
by horticultural producers, viz. salinity, raised water tables, soil erosion and degradation,
residues of persistent pesticides and off-site impacts of nutrients, it is imperative to adopt
sustainable practices which minimise impact on the environment.
Appropriate planning and building on the general Best Practice Management approach can
lead to the achievement of sustainable horticultural systems. Sustainable horticultural crop
production system involves a holistic approach as follows:

 Sustainable soil management: The primary goal of sustainable horticulture is to

protect and enhance soil health. Well-designed and managed farm irrigation and
drainage systems will reduce soil loss due to runoff by minimising the quantity and
speed of water flowing through the crop. Practices like inter-row cover crops between
trees protect soils from erosion by wind or water. Organic matter levels need to be
maintained for sustaining the productive life of the soil. This can be achieved by
growing cover crops, incorporation of green manure and crop residues. Protecting and
enhancing native vegetation for greater biodiversity and security of the rural
environment at large.
 Sustainable water management: A well-planned and managed irrigation and
drainage system enables the achievement of a healthy and vigorous crop with very little
run-off above the natural level. Managing the use of scarce water resources would
ensure greater efficiency, productivity and protection of surrounding catchments and
waterways from salt, soil, fertilisers and chemicals carried in run-off water.
 Nutrient management: The challenge in managing crop nutrition is to supply the
nutrient levels required at the right time to meet crop demands whilst preventing on-
site soil degradation and minimising off-site movement of nutrients. Regular use of
soil and leaf tests allow growers to balance nutrient use and fine-tune their fertilising
choices.
 Sustainable pest management: A balanced approach that maximises the use of
natural control agents and minimises pesticide use needs to be practiced. Integrated
pest management (IPM) uses a combination of biological, physical, cultural, genetic
and chemical control methods to manage weeds, insects and diseases. Managing the
impact of pest and diseases while minimising the usage of chemicals and maximising
profitability over the short and long term.
 Weed management: Integrated weed management combines management
strategies such as fertilizer use, groundcover retention, cultivation, biological control
and herbicide use.
 Disease control: Use of plant varieties that are resistant to troublesome diseases
need to be encouraged. Many horticultural tree crops utilise rootstocks that are
resistant to key soil borne diseases or pests.
Systematic management plans such as Environmental Management Systems are being
increasingly developed to assist horticultural enterprises to be sustainable, integrated into the
overall rural environment, and profitable by producing the range of premium products
required by the market place.