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Principles – Sustainable agriculture
There are various definitions of sustainable agriculture, which can be a matter of interpretation. In principle, all of
them follow the FAO guideline: sustainable agriculture must be economically viable and socially responsible. It must be
geared towards conserving land, water and genetic resources for future generations.
What is the meaning of sustainable land use for the work of SUSTAINET?
With reference to successful examples of projects carried out in Africa, Asia and Latin America, SUSTAINET shows the
potential of sustainable agriculture for poverty reduction and for achieving the UN Millennium Goals:
- From an ecological perspective, sustainable agriculture must contribute to conserving and improving soil
fertility and water quality, restoring biodiversity and making economical use of energy.
- In economic terms, sustainable agriculture must improve incomes and offer farmers a secure income. It must
deliver long-term improvements in nutritional status and ensure access to foods. (Income security from agriculture
should be able to compete with other income-earning options.)
- From the social point of view, sustainable agriculture must involve disadvantaged farmers in development,
and take account of social customs, traditions and norms, including taboos. It should utilise local knowledge and
distribute work and income equitably between the members of a household, and between the genders and generations.
This supports equitable access to land, water, capital and innovations and gives farmers the opportunity of extending
their skills and knowledge.
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