Concept of sustainable agriculture:
Sustainable agriculture is a paradigm shift moving
from input centric model to knowledge and skill based model. It uses ecological
principles and concepts for the design and management of cropping systems. It involves
making best use of locally available natural resources and takes best advantage
of the natural processes.
Sustainable agriculture promotes diversity in the farm. It works in cyclic system
of production.
It is farmer centric than product centric. It
encourages farmer to discover the natural process and work accordingly. Farmer
is active participant in the decisions relating to farm. It provides a platform
for farmers to experiment and learn.
Characteristics of sustainable
Agriculture technology/Practice as per MKSP:
· Avoids usage of external inputs (chemicals etc) –
Local natural resources based
· Enhance the recycling of biomass – to enhance organic
carbon content in the soil
· Strengthen the “Immune system” of agriculture systems
through enhancement of functional biodiversity – natural enemies, antagonists
etc
· Minimize losses of energy, water , nutrients, genetic
resources by conservation and regeneration
· Enhance the natural resource base of the individual
farms
· Diversify species and genetic resources in the agro
ecosystem - Avoids monocropping
· Use local and improved crop varieties to enhance genetic diversity
· Enhance beneficial biological interactions among the
components of agro biodiversity
· Reduces the ecological foot prints in production,
distribution and consumption
· Develop capacity to cope with rapid and unforeseen
changes
Measuring of sustainability:
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S.No
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Query
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Yes/No
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1
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Does the technology, practice method or tool reduce
soil erosion?
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2
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Is this method enhance soil organic carbon content
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|
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3
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Is this method increase bio diversity / crop
diversity
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4
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Is this methods reduce green house gas emissions
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5
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Does this technology based on local natural
resources
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6
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Does this method based on pest life cycle
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7
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Does this method reduce drudgery
|
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8
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Does this method enhance natural resource base
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9
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Does this method promotes crop rotation
|
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10
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Does this method reduce water usage
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11
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Des this method harness natural resources like
sunlight for productivity enhancement
|
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12
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Does this method encourages growth of soil flora and
fauna
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13
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Does these methods reduce investments of farmers
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14
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Does these methods enhance food production
|
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15
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Is this method encourages local and improved
varieties
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16
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Does these methods encourages recycling of biomass
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|
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17
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Does this technology encourages external inputs like
chemical fertilsiers, pesticide etc
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18
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Does intervention promotes large machines
|
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19
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Does this intervention promotes integration of
livestock
|
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20
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Does this methods breaks natural cycles
|
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