Agriculture Foundations: Sustainable Agriculture

What is sustainable agriculture?

• Sustainable agriculture disregards the economic viability of farmers and only focuses on environmental conservation.

• Sustainable agriculture is a method of farming that focuses on long-term productivity without harming the environment, conserving natural resources, and supporting the economic viability of farmers.

• Sustainable agriculture involves using excessive amounts of pesticides and chemicals to boost crop yields.

• Sustainable agriculture is a method of farming that focuses on short-term gains at the expense of the environment.

Name one benefit of sustainable agriculture.

• Higher production costs

• Decreased crop yield

• Increased pollution

• Environmental conservation

How does sustainable agriculture help conserve natural resources?

• By promoting the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms

• By depleting soil nutrients, increasing water pollution, and promoting monoculture

• By accelerating deforestation, increasing greenhouse gas emissions, and depleting water sources

• By promoting practices that maintain soil health, reduce water usage, minimize chemical inputs, and protect biodiversity.

What are some common practices in sustainable agriculture?

• Monoculture, excessive pesticide use, heavy tillage

• Crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, integrated pest management, agroforestry

Explain the concept of crop rotation in sustainable agriculture.

• Crop rotation is a method where crops are planted randomly without any specific order.

• Crop rotation involves planting the same crop repeatedly in the same area to deplete the soil nutrients.

• Crop rotation involves planting different crops in the same area in sequential seasons to improve soil health, prevent pests and diseases, and increase crop yield.

• Crop rotation is a technique used to reduce crop yield and increase soil erosion.

What role does organic farming play in sustainable agriculture?

• Organic farming plays a crucial role in sustainable agriculture by promoting practices that maintain soil health, biodiversity, and natural resources.

• Organic farming depletes soil health and natural resources

• Organic farming promotes the use of harmful chemicals in agriculture

• Organic farming has no impact on sustainable agriculture

Discuss the importance of reducing chemical pesticide use in sustainable agriculture.

• Using more chemical pesticides leads to higher crop yields

• Reducing chemical pesticide use in sustainable agriculture is crucial for protecting the environment, human health, and biodiversity.

• Chemical pesticides have no impact on human health

• Biodiversity is not affected by chemical pesticide use

How can sustainable agriculture contribute to food security?

• Sustainable agriculture depletes natural resources

• Sustainable agriculture has no impact on food security

• Sustainable agriculture ensures long-term food production by maintaining soil health, conserving water, and reducing pollution.

• Sustainable agriculture leads to increased food waste

What are some challenges faced in implementing sustainable agriculture practices?

• Resistance to change, lack of awareness, high initial costs, limited resources, continuous monitoring and adaptation

• Excessive government intervention

• Lack of technology

• Unpredictable weather patterns

Describe the concept of agroforestry and its significance in sustainable agriculture.

• Agroforestry is a method of underwater farming

• Agroforestry involves planting only one type of crop in a field

• Agroforestry has no impact on soil health or biodiversity

• Agroforestry is a land use system that combines trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock in a mutually beneficial way, enhancing soil health, biodiversity, and climate change resilience in agriculture.