What Is Sustainable Farming?

Sustainable agriculture refers to an agricultural system that adopts a certain method of rational use and maintenance of natural resources, implements technological changes and institutional reforms to ensure the sustainable development of demand for agricultural products by contemporary humans and their descendants. Sustainable agriculture is a kind of agriculture that can continuously meet the human needs for the quantity and quality of agricultural products through the management, protection and sustainable use of natural resources, adjust farming systems and technologies, and not harm the interests of future generations. The rational use of land, water, animal and plant resources will not cause environmental degradation, and it is technically feasible, economically viable, and widely accepted by society. ^[1]

Sustainable agriculture

The eighth meeting of the World Commission on Environment and Development held in Tokyo, Japan in 1987 adopted the report "Our Common Future", which first proposed a clear definition of "sustainable development" as "while meeting the needs of contemporary people without harming future generations. The ability of a person to meet his own needs. " Sustainable development of agriculture refers to an agricultural system that adopts a certain method of rational use and maintenance of natural resources, implements technological changes and institutional reforms to ensure the sustainable development of the demand for agricultural products by contemporary humans and their descendants. According to the requirements of sustainable development of agriculture, the basic goals that agriculture and rural development must achieve in the future are: ensuring food security, increasing rural employment and income, eradicating poverty, and protecting natural resources and the environment.

Sustainable Agriculture (Sustainable Agriculture) is based on the summary of alternative agricultural models such as organic agriculture, biological agriculture, petroleum agriculture, and ecological agriculture, and the implementation of sustainable thinking in agricultural production. Emphasize that agricultural development must use natural resources reasonably, protect and improve the ecological environment, and on the basis of this, continue to increase the level of agricultural production and farmers' income, and reduce the proportion of rural poverty, so that agriculture and the rural economy can be sustained, stable, and comprehensive. development of.

In May 2015, the eight national ministries and commissions, including the National Development and Reform Commission of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Land and Resources, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Water Resources and the State Forestry Administration, jointly issued the National Agricultural Sustainable Development Plan (2015-2030). Years ", in the analysis of the achievements and severe challenges facing China's agricultural development. The plan states that agriculture is related to national food security, resource security and ecological security. Vigorously promoting the sustainable development of agriculture is an inevitable choice to realize the strategic layout of the "Five in One" and build a beautiful China, and is an inherent requirement of the new agricultural modernization road with Chinese characteristics. In order to guide the sustainable development of agriculture across the country, the plan was prepared.

In the "National Agricultural Sustainable Development Plan (2015-2030)", the government and related departments' policy support for China's agricultural sustainable development is clearly stated. The main safeguard measures adopted in the plan include the following: ^[2]

Aiming at the problems facing the sustainable development of agriculture in various places, comprehensive consideration of agricultural resource carrying capacity, environmental capacity, ecological types and development foundations of various places was taken into consideration, and the country was divided into optimized development zones, moderate development zones and protected development zones. In accordance with the principles of adapting to local conditions, stepwise advancement, and classified policies, determine the direction and focus of sustainable agricultural development in different regions. ^[2]

Sustainable Agriculture Priority Development Area

Including the Northeast, Huanghuaihai, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and South China, it is the main producing area of bulk agricultural products in China. The agricultural production conditions are good and the potential is large, but there are also excessive consumption of water and land resources, environmental pollution, excessive use of agricultural inputs, resources The degree of recycling is not high. We must adhere to the priority of production, give consideration to the ecology, and combine planting and breeding. On the premise of ensuring a steady increase in the comprehensive production capacity of major agricultural products such as grain, we must protect agricultural resources and the ecological environment, and realize stable development of production, sustainable use of resources, and environmental friendliness.

Areas for Sustainable Agricultural Appropriate Development

Including the northwest, along the Great Wall, and the southwest, agricultural production has distinctive characteristics, but its ecology is fragile, water and soil are dislocated, resource and engineering water shortages are severe, resources and environmental carrying capacity are limited, and agricultural infrastructure is relatively weak. It is necessary to adhere to equal emphasis on protection and development, based on the endowment of resources and environment, give full play to advantages, promote strengths and avoid weaknesses, and tap potentials appropriately, intensively save, orderly use, and improve resource utilization.

Sustainable Agriculture Protection and Development Area

Including Qinghai-Tibet and marine fishery areas, it has a particularly important strategic position in ecological protection and construction. Qinghai-Tibet Region is the birthplace of the great rivers and important ecological security barriers in China. The plateau is rich in characteristic agricultural resources, but its ecology is very fragile. Marine fishery areas have developed rapidly, and there are also problems of decline in fishery resources and outstanding pollution. We must adhere to the priority of protection, restrict development, and moderately develop ecological and characteristic industries, so that resources such as grasslands and oceans can be rested, and a virtuous cycle of the ecosystem can be promoted.