Sustainable agriculture

How to shape the future of farming?

Agriculture is the world's largest industry. Intensive agriculture as it has been practiced since the 1960s has very high yields, but depletes the soil and pollutes the environment: greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, etc. The recent awareness of the limits of natural resources and pollution of soil, air and water, is pushing for sustainable farming. What are sustainable agriculture solutions?

01. Benefits

Sustainable agriculture advantages

The 3 main goals and benefits of sustainable farming are:

  • Environmental protection: the first advantage of sustainable agriculture is the protection of the environment, reducing erosion and natural resource degradation, improving air and water quality, increasing biodiversity, as well as decreasing carbon emissions.
  • Public health improvement: sustainable agriculture don’t use hazardous pesticides and fertilizers. As a result, farmers are able to produce safer and healthier food for consumers and surrounding communities.
  • Economic and social equity: another benefit of sustainable farming methods is that they provide decent income, but also jobs, food and other goods and services for the majority of people now living in poverty. Besides, it allows to boost rural territories and create social links between the rural and urban world.

02. Definition

What is sustainable agriculture?

Green agriculture is the application of the sustainable development principles to agriculture: ensuring the production of food, wood and fibers while respecting the ecological, economic and social limits that ensure the durability of this production. For instance, sustainable farming minimises the use of pesticides that can harm the health of farmers and consumer.

Key principles are linked to sustainable agriculture:

  1. Develop efficient, self-sufficient and economical production systems that provide decent incomes
  2. Preserve and protect biodiversity and territories
  3. Optimize the use of natural resources
  4. Manage the quality of air, water and soil
  5. Increase energy efficiency in food production and distribution

04. Implementations

Sustainable agriculture solutions implementations

Geolife Programs for Chemical-Free Agriculture by Bioma SA implemented by Farm Bangerter in Gampelen (Switzerland) in 2018

InnovaFeed Insect Based Protein by InnovaFeed implemented by Qatar Investment Authority in Paris (France) in 2022

OASIS: Multimodal Hydroactive System by Le Prieuré Vegetal i.D. implemented by L'École nationale supérieure d'art et de design in Nancy (France) in 2015

turbo cereal by TURBO CEREAL implemented by Scea Becquet in Ruyaulcourt (France) in 2023

AQUA4D: Water-Smart Irrigation by AQUA4D® by ©Planet Horizons Technologies SA implemented by Canton of Valais in Valais (Switzerland) in 2022

Insolagrin by Insolight SA implemented by Romande Energie Ventures in Conthey (Switzerland) in 2021

Voltiron by Voltiris implemented by Agroscope, Innosuisse in Conthey (Switzerland) in 2022

LOW CARBON MILK by Agolin implemented by Barry-Callebaut in Bière (Switzerland) in 2021

Agrivoltaic by Ether Energy implemented by Namur Agri Energie in Namur (Belgium) in 2023

SOP STAR COW by SOP - Save Our Planet implemented by Fava Dairy Farm in Reggio Emilia (Italy) in 2021

Afondo - AgroSustain's coating by AgroSustain SA implemented by Giovanelli Fruchtimport AG in Frauenfeld (Switzerland) in 2021

NUTRIGEO by Gaïago implemented by Corteva Agriscience in Indianapolis (United States) in 2022

ARA by Ecorobotix SA implemented by L&L Ag in Wilder (United States) in 2024

GREENOVA by CleanGreens Solutions SA implemented by Domaine Mattines in Perly (Switzerland) in 2020

GREENOVA by CleanGreens Solutions SA implemented by Green Life in Adbali, Kuwait (Kuwait) in 2023

Sustainable Grain Supply Chain by Centaur implemented by Athenian Brewery Heineken in Stefanovikeio (Greece) in 2024

05. Challenges

Sustainable agriculture challenges

  1. Food security and productivity: sustainable agriculture will have to prove itself facing with intensive agriculture. Even though it is more reasonable, it cannot offer the same short-term returns. With the growing population and the persistently high levels of hunger and malnutrition, sustainable agriculture yields need to address the food security issue by producing more in less time, while using fewer natural resources.
  2. Natural resources availability: the other big challenge that green agriculture is facing is undoubtedly the rapid degradation and depletion of natural resources.

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