Agriculture's Role in Environmental Sustainability: A Comprehensive Review of Challenges and Solutions
Journal Title: Challenges in Sustainability - Year 2024, Vol 12, Issue 3
Abstract
The growing global population has placed increasing pressure on the agriculture sector to meet rising food demand, posing significant environmental and ecological challenges. This review systematically examines 70 studies selected from the Scopus database, with a focus on the environmental impacts of agriculture and potential mitigation strategies. Of the 70 articles, 38 studies explore the macroeconomic environmental effects of agriculture. While 10 studies report positive environmental contributions from the sector, 23 highlight adverse ecological consequences. Additionally, various studies indicate U-shaped, inverted U-shaped, or N-shaped relationships between agricultural activities and pollution levels. Livestock production and the extensive use of synthetic fertilisers are identified as major contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while the widespread use of pesticides and herbicides has been shown to cause soil and water contamination. Further environmental degradation is linked to deforestation driven by agricultural expansion, which reduces carbon sinks and biodiversity. The agriculture sector's dependence on fossil fuels also exacerbates its GHG emissions, while its significant freshwater consumption heightens concerns about water scarcity. Moreover, soil degradation, often resulting from monocropping and conventional farming practices, presents an ongoing challenge. However, sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroforestry, crop rotation, conservation tillage, and organic farming, offer promising solutions to mitigate these environmental impacts. These practices not only enhance soil health by reducing chemical inputs but also promote biodiversity within farming systems. Precision agriculture, optimisation of water, fertiliser, and pesticide usage, the adoption of native plant species, and the integration of renewable energy sources have been identified as key strategies for improving the sustainability of agricultural operations. Additionally, genetic advancements in crop development may play a critical role in addressing the sector’s environmental footprint. By adopting these sustainable methods, the agriculture sector has the potential to increase productivity while significantly reducing its environmental impact, contributing to the overall goal of ecological sustainability.
Authors and Affiliations
Haider Mahmood, Muhammad Shahid Hassan, Gowhar Meraj, Maham Furqan
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP753654
- DOI -
- Views 29
- Downloads 0
Temporal Dynamics of PCDD/F and PCB Concentrations in Ambient Air Near a Medical Waste Incineration Facility in Johannesburg
An extensive assessment of ambient air quality near a medical waste incineration (MWI) facility in Johannesburg, South Africa, was conducted, focusing on the gas-particle phase partitioning and the concentrations of poly...
Enhancing Global Sustainability: The Role of the Blue Economy in Preserving Natural Capital
This investigation delineates the critical role of the Blue Economy in preserving the planet's natural capital, a cornerstone for sustainable development. A systematic analysis of theoretical research and policy document...
Interdependencies of Environmental Quality, Poverty, and Green Growth: A Simultaneous Equation Analysis Across Indonesian Provinces
This study explores the interrelations among environmental quality (EQ), poverty (POV), and green growth (GG) across 34 provinces in Indonesia from 2015 to 2023, employing a simultaneous equation model (SEM) to address t...
Enhancing Sustainable Development Through International Performance Indicators: The Role of Business Intelligence Techniques
Sustainable development has garnered significant attention due to its multifaceted benefits across social, economic, and environmental dimensions. This study investigates the influence of international performance indica...
Long-Term Dynamics Between Human Development and Environmental Sustainability: An Empirical Analysis of CO₂ Emissions in Azerbaijan
This study investigates the long-term relationship between human development and environmental sustainability in Azerbaijan, with a particular focus on carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions as a key indicator of environmental i...