The 21st century comes with a great challenge in terms of sustainable agriculture and food security, which is also a worldwide debated issue due to problems such as population growth, degradation of natural resources including loss of biodiversity and considerable soil degradation, and last but not least, climate change. In fact, climate change poses the greatest threat to agricultural systems and the health of ecosystems and natural balance. The green revolution comes as a lifesaver for the environment, streamlining the allocation of natural resources but at the same time involves huge costs in term of money, time, and labor. Due to the intensive use of fossil fuels, chemical treatments in agriculture, and animal husbandry, environmental problems such as climate change tend to become more pronounced resulting in negative environmental externalities globally. A smart approach to sustainable agriculture is to reinvent and innovate traditional agricultural practices in order to identify ways and possibilities to reduce the risks related to the use of pesticides in close connection with the health of ecosystems.
Population growth and globalization are currently having many negative effects on the agri-food sector's ability to ensure safe and qualitative food. Use of medicines and chemicals in animal husbandry can considerably increases production and animals' resistance to disease and pests. Elevated levels of exposure to food contaminated with chemical residues from the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry and various growth hormones are very dangerous to human health. They contribute to genetic changes at the cellular level and decreased resistance of the body to viruses and bacteria. Frequent use of antibiotics may result in chemical residues in milk, meat, eggs and honey due to large-scale application of drugs in veterinary practice. In addition to its toxicity, antibiotic residues are carcinogenic and ingested in the long term lead to increased tolerance to medication against human diseases caused by deadly bacteria. Continuous monitoring of the production phase of the agri-food chain is absolutely necessary to identify the risks of contamination and reduce the use of illegal antibiotics in animal husbandry. This research aims to determine the main causes of food contamination with chemical residues and to create an overview of the negative effects that antibiotics have on human health.
The controversial issue of genetically modified organisms and environmental pollution, which often leads to global warming, brings us face to face with the need to change the way agriculture leaves its mark on the ecological balance. If common efforts were focused on designing a multidisciplinary agricultural system that produces quantitatively and nutritionally sufficient food while protecting biodiversity and non-renewable resources, the problems that the agricultural sector generates would be greatly reduced. Paper provides introductory information linked to conversion from conventional to organic system of agriculture from the aspect of sustainable development. Familiarity with new eco-friendly practices is essential for exploiting the opportunities for the agricultural sector. In this context, the paper analyses the general consequences observed by some of globally recognized institutions involved in agriculture.
The 21st century comes with a great challenge in terms of sustainable agriculture and food security, which is also a worldwide debated issue due to problems such as population growth, degradation of natural resources including loss of biodiversity and considerable soil degradation, and last but not least, climate change. In fact, climate change poses the greatest threat to agricultural systems and the health of ecosystems and natural balance. The green revolution comes as a lifesaver for the environment, streamlining the allocation of natural resources but at the same time involves huge costs in term of money, time, and labor. Due to the intensive use of fossil fuels, chemical treatments in agriculture, and animal husbandry, environmental problems such as climate change tend to become more pronounced resulting in negative environmental externalities globally. A smart approach to sustainable agriculture is to reinvent and innovate traditional agricultural practices in order to identify ways and possibilities to reduce the risks related to the use of pesticides in close connection with the health of ecosystems.
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