Un‐yielding: Evidence for the agriculture transformation we need

Abstract

There has been a seismic shift in the center of gravity of scientific writing and thinking about agriculture over the past decades, from a prevailing focus on maximizing yields toward a goal of balancing trade-offs and ensuring the delivery of multiple ecosystem services. Maximizing crop yields often results in a system where most benefits accrue to very few (in the form of profits), alongside irreparable environmental harm to agricultural ecosystems, landscapes, and people. Here, we present evidence that an unyielding, which we define as de-emphasizing the importance of yields alone, is necessary to achieve the goal of a more Food secure, Agrobiodiverse, Regenerative, Equitable and just (FARE) agriculture. Focusing on yields places the emphasis on one particular outcome of agriculture, which is only an intermediate means to the true endpoint of human well-being. Using yields as a placeholder for this outcome ignores the many other benefits of agriculture that people also care about, like health, livelihoods, and a sense of place. Shifting the emphasis to these multiple benefits rather than merely yields, and to their equitable delivery to all people, we find clear scientific evidence of win-wins for people and nature through four strategies that foster FARE agriculture: reduced disturbance, systems reintegration, diversity, and justice (in the form of securing rights to land and other resources). Through a broad review of the current state of agriculture, desired futures, and the possible pathways to reach them, we argue that while trade-offs between some ecosystem services in agriculture are unavoidable, the same need not be true of the end benefits we desire from them.

Future-proofing ecosystem restoration through enhancing adaptive capacity

“…Moreover, mosaic restoration that integrates trees into mixed-use landscapes, especially agricultural lands, is a key restoration strategy that seeks to generate diverse benefits for both ecosystems and humans 55 . The ongoing simplification of agricultural landscapes driven by a desire to increase agricultural yields, however, runs counter to mosaic restoration 56 .…”

Influence of organic fertilization on growth and yield of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) in Kabete and Mbooni areas, Kenya

“…In an era marked by growing global population and increased demands for agricultural produce, the imperative for sustainable practices cannot be overstated. Agroecosystem sustainability represents the linchpin upon which food security, environmental health, and economic viability hinge [ 58 , 59 ]. By focusing on the application of organic amendments and their influence on strawberry production, this study not only addresses the pressing issue of declining yields, but also contributes to the broader conversation on how sustainable agricultural practices can mitigate the adverse effects of soil degradation, chemical inputs, and environmental impacts.…”

Sustainable Watershed Management: Assessing the Impact of Data Precision on Sediment Transport in the Oostanaula Creek Watershed, Tennessee

“…As can be seen, it is no longer sustainable to exploit the landscape and overlook the consequences of human activities [12]. Thanks to research activities, the causes and consequences of soil loss have been known for decades, but due to the rapid development of industrial society and technologies, the consequences are often ignored and underestimated because agricultural profit is the priority [13].…”