The green revolution was an era of great innovation in agriculture that happened primarily throughout the 1960s and 1970s, but began in the 1940s. During this time period, enormous quantities of research and development were conducted, resulting in a considerable boost in agricultural output whose benefits we continue to enjoy today. Initiatives included the creation of crop types with higher yields, the introduction of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, and the modernization and improvement of farm management.
These discoveries provided greater food security in the industrialized world than was previously achievable. Huge yields were obtained from relatively small areas of land, making food readily available to the majority of people in the developed world. As contemporary farming practices evolved, the need for environmentally and socially sustainable agriculture expanded beyond economic and food sustainability. Although the level of investment in agricultural research and development has decreased significantly since the green revolution, the sector’s knowledge has improved significantly and agricultural enterprises have altered their operations to ensure agriculture’s sustainability.
Sustainable agricultural program
Today, all agricultural industries are concerned with sustainable agriculture, including grain, horticulture, fisheries, sugar, and meat production. Agriculture land is not as abundant as it was during the green revolution; therefore, sustainable agriculture techniques must be at the forefront of everything the food sector undertakes to assure the sustainability of the industries and, more crucially, the global food supply. Australia’s research and development corporations, which represent farmers, invest in sustainable agricultural techniques through research and development. Frequently, this is supported jointly with the federal government.
There are also numerous primary and secondary agriculture schools as well as sustainable agriculture programs that prepare students for professions in agriculture. In addition to research, engineering, exporting, international relations, and e-commerce, agricultural jobs are much more diverse than is commonly believed.
In nations such as Australia, sustainable agriculture is not merely a buzzword, but rather a crucial commercial practice. With limited arable land, limited water, and growing climate instability and extreme weather events, strengthening sustainable agriculture techniques is crucial to the industry’s future viability and the world’s food supply.
Without an increase in investment in research and development, the advances of the green revolution may not be sufficient to secure the continued food security of the human population.
Sustainable farm
A sustainable farm must be able to provide food without depleting the natural resources necessary to cultivate further crops in the future. Farmers have become aware that they are responsible for much more than their crops and animals as farming practices have progressed and understanding about sustainable farming practices has grown. Where once farmers only grazed their animals, today’s sustainable livestock farmers view themselves as managers of three living ecosystems: their animals, the grass and groundcover that the animals require to exist, and the soils, which are the most crucial part to manage. Without healthy soil, sustained agriculture is impossible. If the health of the soil is diminished, grass and crops will not grow as well. If soil health is not a priority in sustainable farming, environmental degradation on the farm and in the surrounding area will also occur. Without appropriate soil health, the soil’s structure can be weakened, resulting in dust storms and runoff of topsoil after heavy rains into streams.
Agriculture irrigation
Some agricultural sectors, such as rice and cotton, are highly dependent on irrigation. Other industries, such as soy, horticulture, grain production, and cattle grazing, utilize irrigation as well. Although irrigation can be traced back to ancient Egypt, modern irrigation developed widespread with the green revolution as a technique to generate food in areas that lacked natural or enough rainfall to grow crops.
