Technology frame work for Sustainable Agriculture

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:

S.No	Query	Yes/No
1	Does the technology, practice method or tool reduce soil erosion?
2	Is this method enhance soil organic carbon content
3	Is this method increase bio diversity / crop diversity
4	Is this methods reduce green house gas emissions
5	Does this technology based on local natural resources
6	Does this method based on pest life cycle
7	Does this method reduce drudgery
8	Does this method enhance natural resource base
9	Does this method promotes crop rotation
10	Does this method reduce water usage
11	Des this method harness natural resources like sunlight for productivity enhancement
12	Does this method encourages growth of soil flora and fauna
13	Does these methods reduce investments of farmers
14	Does these methods enhance food production
15	Is this method encourages local and improved varieties
16	Does these methods encourages recycling of biomass
17	Does this technology encourages external inputs like chemical fertilsiers, pesticide etc
18	Does intervention promotes large machines
19	Does this intervention promotes integration of livestock
20	Does this methods breaks natural cycles