Sustainable Intensification in Agriculture: An Approach for Making Agriculture Greener and Productive

Abstract

Sustainable intensification of agriculture is a good approach for reducing the yield gap without exacerbating the current condition of the environmental components, which is a big challenge for agriculture in the modern world. This review provides a summary of the role and approaches of sustainable intensification in agriculture which offer ways to increase crop production and create long-term sustainability in agriculture production. The current demand for food has continued to rise as a result of the world's rapidly increasing population. In order to increase crop/food production, agricultural systems should be intensified by more sustainable practices, as well as by reforming existing production systems/techniques and diversifying them into newer and more profitable enterprises. Despite the heavy use of inputs, farmers have recently been unable to achieve optimal crop yields. The judicious use of agricultural inputs, combined with improved management techniques, is important for advancing sustainable intensification. New scientific techniques in agronomic practices, as well as improved farm mechanization, are helping to boost resource use efficiency in sustainable crop production. The sustainable agricultural intensification is necessary to increase the agricultural productivity under the changing and adverse climatic conditions while maintaining healthy production practices.

The feasibility of large-seeded soybean cultivation

“…Production improvement through intensification can be done by improving cultivation techniques, including the application of appropriate planting time, cropping pattern setting, fertilization, crop protection from pests and diseases, and utilization of soybean improved varieties [8,9]. Selection of improved varieties is one of the important factors that must be considered in soybean farming due to for achieving high productivity is also dependent on the genetic potential of variety.…”

Nutrient Management of Maize

“…In India, the conventional rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) has been the dominant production system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGPs). However, this cropping system has faced several sustainability challenges due to the high water requirement, soil fertility degradation, and inefficient input usage [15]. To address these challenges, conservation agriculture (CA) practices based on maize production have been introduced to enhance resource use efficiency, restore soil fertility, and improve crop yields.…”

“…Conservation agriculture (CA) is an approach that promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly maize production while enhancing soil health and crop resilience [7,15]. Several CA-based practices have proven effective in maize cultivation.…”

“…Another important practice is residue management, where crop residues are left on the soil surface instead of being removed or burned. This practice enhances organic matter content, improves soil fertility, and reduces weed pressure [15]. Cover cropping is also integral to CA in maize systems, where non-commercial crops are grown during fallow periods to protect the soil from erosion, suppress weeds, and improve nutrient cycling [54].…”

A vision of precision agriculture: Balance between agricultural sustainability and environmental stewardship

“…Sustainable intensification is a concept that has gained attention as a means to address the challenges of feeding a growing global population while reducing negative environmental impacts. It entails enhancing agricultural productivity while minimizing resource inputs such as water, fertilizers and pesticides, and mitigating adverse environmental consequences like greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, and water pollution (Shrestha et al., 2021). Sustainable intensification is of utmost significance as it tackles the pressing challenges confronting agriculture.…”