Agriculture has been fundamental to the survival and growth of human civilization, transitioning societies from nomadic lifestyles to settled communities that evolved into cities, towns, and villages. The concept of food security is a critical global issue, impacting every individual. Historically, efforts to boost agricultural productivity have often led to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and diminished ecosystem services, disproportionately affecting impoverished populations. In response, Eco-friendly agriculture farming that leverages a deep understanding of ecosystem services has emerged as a viable strategy for achieving global food security while curbing further environmental harm. The achievement of food security and sustainable livelihoods is a critical problem in emerging nations such as India, where smallholder farmers play a pivotal role in agricultural output. It is common to see organic farming portrayed as a means of enhancing smallholders’ socioeconomic status, particularly in the Global South. Even though India has the largest population of organic farmers worldwide, there remains uncertainty about the real benefits of eco-friendly farming for smallholders in the country, especially regarding protecting livelihoods and guaranteeing food and nutrition security. Eco-friendly agriculture, encompassing practices that are less harmful to the environment compared to conventional farming, is widely viewed as a more sustainable approach. This chapter explores these dynamics, evaluating the role of sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture in promoting food security, challenges and opportunities in the Indian context.

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Seeds of Sustainability: Promoting Food Security Through Eco-friendly Agriculture

  • Shivam Attri,
  • Aanchal Saklani,
  • Kamal Kant Joshi,
  • Prernaa Sharma,
  • Avnish Chauhan,
  • Rekha Goswami,
  • Bipin Sati,
  • Mariana Flores-García

摘要

Agriculture has been fundamental to the survival and growth of human civilization, transitioning societies from nomadic lifestyles to settled communities that evolved into cities, towns, and villages. The concept of food security is a critical global issue, impacting every individual. Historically, efforts to boost agricultural productivity have often led to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and diminished ecosystem services, disproportionately affecting impoverished populations. In response, Eco-friendly agriculture farming that leverages a deep understanding of ecosystem services has emerged as a viable strategy for achieving global food security while curbing further environmental harm. The achievement of food security and sustainable livelihoods is a critical problem in emerging nations such as India, where smallholder farmers play a pivotal role in agricultural output. It is common to see organic farming portrayed as a means of enhancing smallholders’ socioeconomic status, particularly in the Global South. Even though India has the largest population of organic farmers worldwide, there remains uncertainty about the real benefits of eco-friendly farming for smallholders in the country, especially regarding protecting livelihoods and guaranteeing food and nutrition security. Eco-friendly agriculture, encompassing practices that are less harmful to the environment compared to conventional farming, is widely viewed as a more sustainable approach. This chapter explores these dynamics, evaluating the role of sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture in promoting food security, challenges and opportunities in the Indian context.