The Rise of Alternative Farming Systems: Sustainable Agriculture (Week 2)

Any farming system that contradicts the industrial model of agriculture can be categorized under the banner of alternative agriculture (Padmavathy K. and G, Poyyamoli, 2011). Although categorizing these new (Freibauaer A. et al, 2011) systems under agriculture can be limiting since most, if not all, of these systems address natural resource management and lifestyle philosophies/values integrated with food production, community-building, and environmental care and ecology. Due to the multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary nature of these systems and approaches, what causes more confusion is the myriad names these approaches are called. From the rational scientist to the casual reader, it remains a challenge to distinguish one practice from the other.

Diver (1994) describes sustainable agriculture as a long-term goal rather than a checklist of farming practices. It emphasizes the concept of limiting purchased inputs while managing on-site resources. Any farming practice adhering to this principle can be classified under the umbrella of sustainable agriculture. But due to it's broad scope, other alternative farming systems tend to distinguish themselves from other practices and adhere to more specific rules to uphold their own standards and practices. An example of this is organic agriculture and other methods-based alternative farming systems.

Next week: Methods-Based Alternative Farming Systems

References:

Diver, S (1994). Permaculture and Sustainable Agriculture. Introduction to low-input sustainable agriculture. P. 152-158. Proceedings of the 13 Annual Oklahoma Horticulture Industries Show. Held January 7-8, 1994. Tulsa Jr. College-Northeast Campust, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Freibauaer, A., Mathijs, G. Brunori, Z. Damianova, E. Faroult, JG I Gomis, L O'Brien, S. Treyer (2011). Sustainable Food Consumption and Production in a Resource-Constrained World. European Commission -- Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR), The 3rd SCAR Foresight Exercise. 

Padmavathy K. and G. Poyyamoli (2011). Alternative Farming Technologies for Sustainable Food Production. Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, Union Territory of Puducherry, India