Sustainability

Agricultural Sustainability

Definition of Agricultural Sustainability

Agricultural sustainability is the practice of producing food, fibre, and other agricultural products in ways that maintain soil health, protect water resources, support biodiversity, and remain economically viable for farmers over the long term. It focuses on farming systems that can continue to operate productively without degrading the land, ecosystems, or rural communities that depend on them.

Unlike general sustainability, agricultural sustainability is rooted in on-farm decision-making — how crops are grown, animals are raised, inputs are used, and land is managed across seasons and generations.

Why sustainable Agriculture Matters

Agricultural sustainability matters because farming depends directly on natural systems. Depleted soils, polluted water, loss of pollinators, and climate stress reduce the ability of agriculture to produce food reliably.

Sustainable agricultural systems help ensure:

• Long-term food security

• Stable farm incomes and rural livelihoods

• Reduced environmental damage from fertilisers, pesticides, and over-extraction of resources

• Greater resilience to climate variability and extreme weather

As global food demand increases, agricultural sustainability provides a framework for producing more food without exhausting the land or harming ecosystems.

Key Principles of Agricultural Sustainability

• Soil Health – Maintaining soil structure, organic matter, and biological activity
• Water Stewardship – Efficient irrigation and protection of water quality
• Biodiversity – Supporting pollinators, beneficial insects, and diverse landscapes
• Climate Resilience – Adapting farming systems to changing weather patterns
• Economic Viability – Ensuring farms remain profitable across generations
• Animal Welfare – Responsible livestock management and health

Related Terms

• Sustainable Agriculture
• Regenerative Agriculture
• Agroecology
• Soil Conservation
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Climate-Smart Agriculture

Useful Resources on Agricultural Sustainability

Explore these authoritative resources to learn more about agricultural sustainability, sustainable farming practices, soil health, climate resilience, and food system resilience.

•FAO – Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems - Global guidance on sustainable farming systems, climate-smart agriculture, soil conservation, and food security policies.

• FAOSTAT – Agriculture, Environment and Sustainability Data - Comprehensive global datasets on crop production, livestock systems, fertiliser use, land use, emissions, and environmental impacts of agriculture.

• DEFRA – Sustainable Farming Incentive (UK) - Official UK government guidance on sustainable land management, soil standards, biodiversity actions, and environmentally responsible farming payments.

• OECD – Agriculture and Environmental Sustainability - In-depth analysis of sustainable agriculture policies, agri-environment indicators, and the economic impacts of environmental farming practices.

• USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)- Research-backed resources on sustainable crop production, soil health management, integrated pest management, and resilient farming systems.

• Our World in Data – Agriculture, Land Use and Sustainability - Clear visual data and analysis covering agricultural land use, yields, environmental trade-offs, emissions, and global food systems.

• Ellen MacArthur Foundation – Regenerative and Circular Agriculture- Insights into regenerative farming models, circular food systems, and reducing agricultural waste and resource inputs.

• AGRIS – International Agricultural Research Database- A global index of peer-reviewed research, technical reports, and scientific studies on sustainable agriculture and rural development.

• Soil Association – Sustainable and Organic Farming (UK)- Practical guidance on soil health, organic farming standards, biodiversity-friendly agriculture, and sustainable food systems.

• IPCC – Climate Change and Agriculture Reports- Authoritative scientific assessments on climate risks, adaptation strategies, and mitigation options for agriculture and food systems.

Learn the meaning of more essential agricultural terms with our easy-to-use Key Terms glossary here