Sustainable intensification in agricultural systems

Abstract

This review analyses recent evidence of the impacts of SI in both developing and industrialized countries, and demonstrates that both yield and natural capital dividends can occur. The review begins with analysis of the emergence of combined agricultural-environmental systems, the environmental and social outcomes of recent agricultural revolutions, and analyses the challenges for food production this century as populations grow and consumption patterns change. Emergent criticisms are highlighted, and the positive impacts of SI on food outputs and renewable capital assets detailed. It concludes with observations on policies and incentives necessary for the wider adoption of SI, and indicates how SI could both promote transitions towards greener economies as well as benefit from progress in other sectors.

A Transnational Agri-Food System for Whom? The Struggle for Hegemony at Rio+20

“…Here, the planting of improved crop varieties, on relatively well-resourced farms and with the support of synthetic inputs and improved irrigation, was designed to increase food production as a straightforward solution to the looming threat of hunger. These technologies and inputs resulted in a significant increase in the production of staple grains (Pretty & Bharucha, 2014). However, a number of serious pitfalls soon became evident, including the substantial ecological costs of high throughput systems (Pretty & Bharucha, 2014).…”

“…These technologies and inputs resulted in a significant increase in the production of staple grains (Pretty & Bharucha, 2014). However, a number of serious pitfalls soon became evident, including the substantial ecological costs of high throughput systems (Pretty & Bharucha, 2014). Furthermore, it became clear that improved agricultural productivity alone was not sufficient to reduce hunger; the ability of individuals to access food was also of vital importance.…”

“…With climate change, even with the best efforts at mitigation, poor farmers and especially women and children are likely to be affected adversely". There is, therefore, a consensus that agriculture will need to fundamentally redirect itself towards sustainability (Pretty & Bharucha, 2014).…”

Regional suitability for agricultural intensification: a spatial analysis of the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania

“…Moreover, production per capita remains at 1960 levels in Africa (Pretty, Toulmin, & Williams, 2011) while the sector accounts for 65% of full-time employment, and 61% of rural households in SSA depend on agriculture for their livelihoods (Pretty et al, 2011;World Bank, 2008). Meanwhile, 50% of global population increase is expected to occur in SSA in the coming decades (UNDESA, 2013) and, globally, there is new focus on increasing agricultural investments in Africa to improve both local and global food security while considering ecosystem health (see Pretty & Bharucha, 2014 for a review of sustainable intensification). Several global, regional, and national efforts aim to increase yields and alleviate poverty.…”

“…The number of Ph.D.s in government research centres increased dramatically during this period. Malawi has a well-documented Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) whereby the government provides subsidized inorganic fertilizer to millions of rural farmers to increase yields and productivity of maize (Dorward & Chirwa, 2011), while increasing the country's social capital among farmers and national institutions (Pretty & Bharucha, 2014). The situation remains troubling, however, and more than 500 million people will remain food insecure in the near future without intensification (Shapouri, Rosen, Peters, Baquedano, & Allen, 2010;Smith, 2013).…”