Agriculture and the Environment

The majority of people on earth still live off the land. They are and will be for quite some time in need of (sustainable) agricultural development. As in other areas of development, irreparable mistakes have been made, and are still being made, in the realm of agriculture. Overintensification, the nearly unrestricted use of chemicals, and irresponsible handling of the soil have done great harm to one of the most important sources of food. On the other hand, modern agricultural research emphasizes a more sustainable approach. Careful analysis of farming systems and of the implications of changes introduced to enhance agricultural production, integrated pest control, and soil conservation are examples of this environmentally sustainable approach. Agriculture can be a good medium for exemplifying how the parallel needs for development and for protecting nature must and can go together.