FARMING SYSTEMS

The Adaptation of Farming Systems in The Tropics To Climate



The Adaptation of Farming Systems in The Tropics To Climate

Agriculture: Concepts And Public Perception

Agriculture was defined as "the art of changing ecosystems, economically and without producing irreversible damage" (Lacher 2008). By this definition one can add an important component: the science factor. The cultivation of plants to meet human needs is mainly dependent on soil, climate, and socio-economic level of expertise and activity conditions. The agricultural techniques are thus very much varied over time as the different parts of the world. The progress made ??by agriculture, thanks to scientific and technological advances, are unprecedented in human history. By its very nature the agricultural activity disturbs the environment in relation to the rape situation (Zasada 2011, pp.639-648).

There are examples of serious deterioration - the soil and the environment - caused by inadequate agricultural activities. Although modern agriculture based on scientific developments, while increasing productivity, protect and save the environment, there has been a growing concern to minimize any damage. In recent years it discusses, with increasing intensity, which came to be called "sustainable agriculture". Thinking about this, and as a response to the possible capacity gaps, the G20 agriculture ministries have requested FAO to lead the development of the Platform for Tropical Agriculture (PAT), which has already received a major endorsement by the G8 ago only a few months (Varughese 2009). The progress of the work is already evident and it is under the World Congress on Agricultural Research for Development ( GCARD2 ) in Uruguay has been widely discussed on the details of this initiative. Organizations such as FAO , World Bank, IICA , CABI, CTA, CATIE, among others, including representatives of donor countries have already backed the idea. More information on the Platform are in

In agriculture the concept of sustainability can not have, usually implicit in the term static aspect, whereby farming systems are considered sustainable since production is maintained at current levels. A dynamic concept is appropriate and meets the progress and development of society (Seo 2010, pp.32-40). Many agricultural practices may have been considered sustainable in the past or even the present, according to the socio-economic, environmental conditions and other local features. In a dynamic concept, sustainability must consider the temporal on human needs, especially related to a growing population changes, as well as an adequate perception of the environmental connection with agriculture. "The goal of sustainable agriculture should be to involve the efficient management of available resources, maintaining production levels necessary to meet the growing aspirations of a growing population also without degrading the environment" (FAO, 1989). Following graph shows the agricultural indices of the main regions of the world;

Agriculture was never as effective as being in the news and, paradoxically, was never challenged as today. Disputes devoid of scientific proof gain forum indisputable truths. Such is the case, for example, the call "organic agriculture", also called sustainable or subsistence, which in its most radical form does not use genetically improved seeds, mineral fertilizers ...