Posted in | News | Green Farming

Study Urges the Need for a Novel Sustainable System of Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture will not be achieved by one universal solution. A meta-analysis by the University of Basel shows that the current focus on no-till farming does not achieve the desired results. A sustainable system of agriculture must be designed for local needs and in dialog with local farmers.

In 2016, the United Nations developed 17 Sustainable Development Goals to build a world based on conservation, social justice and environmental sustainability by 2030. A more sustainable agriculture is one of these goals. In recent decades, many studies have been carried out in this field aimed at developing less resource-intensive farming practices.

For some time, international organizations like the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations have recommended three principles to achieve sustainable agriculture: no-till farming, crop residue retention and crop rotation.

No-tillage and direct sowing received the most focus. No-tillage means the soil is not plowed. Instead, seeds are planted directly into the unworked earth. The purpose of this practice is to protect the soil from erosion, store more carbon dioxide and increase crop yields.

Little Positive Effect

However, the exact meaning of no-till farming has never been defined precisely, especially whether residue retention is part of it. As a result, some studies came to the conclusion that no-tillage is extremely effective, while others found no positive effect. Farmers also became more skeptical as some experienced declining crop yields.

Professor Nikolaus Kuhn of the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Basel and his former PhD student Liangang Xiao of the North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power have now analyzed 49 such studies in a meta-analysis. They conclude that the specified goals – storing carbon dioxide, protecting soil and increasing crop yields – cannot be reached by no-till farming and direct sowing alone. On the other hand, if crop residues are retained on the fields after the harvest, the desired positive effects prevail.

Criticism of International Agricultural Policy

Kuhn explains the extremely variable results of past studies as a consequence of the imprecise definition of the practice and the tendency of international organizations to push forward with simplified, universal solutions. And while the data now available may show that leaving crop residues on the fields is a more promising approach to sustainable agriculture than no-till farming alone, Kuhn warns against focusing entirely on a single practice again: «Nature is too multifaceted for a single practice to achieve good results everywhere.

To counter farmers' skepticism of recommendations by scientists and policymakers, he says, it will be important to stop looking for one, universally applicable solution in the future. A better approach is to develop practices tailored to the local environment and in dialog with the people who farm the land.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this news story?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.