Resource-Conserving Agriculture Increases Yields in Developing Countries

Abstract

Despite great recent progress, hunger and poverty remain widespread and agriculturally driven environmental damage is widely prevalent. The idea of agricultural sustainability centers on the need to develop technologies and practices that do not have adverse effects on environmental goods and services, and that lead to improvements in food productivity. Here we show the extent to which 286 recent interventions in 57 poor countries covering 37 M ha (3% of the cultivated area in developing countries) have increased productivity on 12.6 M farms while improving the supply of critical environmental services. The average crop yield increase was 79% (geometric mean 64%). All crops showed water use efficiency gains, with the highest improvement in rainfed crops. Potential carbon sequestered amounted to an average of 0.35 t C ha -1 y -1 . If a quarter of the total area under these farming systems adopted sustainability enhancing practices, we estimate global sequestration could be 0.1 Gt C y -1 . Of projects with pesticide data, 77% resulted in a decline in pesticide use by 71% while yields grew by 42%. Although it is uncertain whether these approaches can meet future food needs, there are grounds for cautious optimism, particularly as poor farm households benefit more from their adoption.

Agricultural sustainability: concepts, principles and evidence

“…Similarly, a diverse agricultural system that enhances on-farm wildlife for pest control contributes to wider stocks of biodiversity, while simplified modernized systems that eliminate wildlife do not. Agricultural systems that offer labour-absorption opportunities, through resource improvements or value-added activities, can boost local economies and help to reverse rural-to-urban migration patterns (Carney 1998;Dasgupta 1998;Ellis 2000;Morison et al 2005;Pretty et al 2006).…”

“…The largest study comprised the analysis of 286 projects in 57 countries (Pretty et al 2006). This involved the use of both questionnaires and published reports by projects to assess changes over time.…”

Exploring the potential of edible forest gardens: experiences from a participatory action research project in Sweden

“…Agroforestry may be a feasible option. Current research shows that such systems are both productive and generate more ecosystem services than conventional land use in tropical and temperate areas (Pretty et al 2006;Jose 2009;Torralba et al 2016;Wilson and Lovell 2016).…”

A agroecologia: estratégias de pesquisa e valores

“…Em um estudo conduzido por Pretty et al (2006) foram analisados 286 projetos de agricultura sustentável de 57 países pobres, totalizando uma superfície de 37 milhões de ha (3% da superfície cultivada nos países em desenvolvimento). Os autores concluíram que essas técnicas que conservam recursos e utilizam poucos insumos externos haviam aumentado a produtividade de 12,6 milhões de propriedades agrícolas, com aumento médio de 79% nas colheitas, ao mesmo tempo que houve melhoria na oferta de serviços ambientais essenciais.…”