Ensuring sustainable agriculture

Bangladesh, with its growing population and shrinking arable land, faces a serious challenge: feeding its people while preserving the natural resources that support life. For decades, industrial agriculture, based on chemical inputs and monoculture, has harmed our soil, polluted water, degraded air quality and contributed to climate change. This model of farming is no longer sustainable and cannot ensure long-term food security or environmental health.
In response to these challenges, many farmers and scientists in developed countries are shifting towards sustainable agriculture. This system is environmentally friendly, economically viable, and socially fair. It supports farms of all sizes, encourages crop diversity based on local conditions, and applies science-based practices to raise productivity while protecting nature. Farmers are now adopting methods such as rotating crops to improve soil and pest resistance, planting cover crops and perennials to reduce erosion, and minimising soil tillage to preserve fertility. Integrated pest management, which reduces chemical use, is also gaining popularity. Practices like crop-livestock integration, agroforestry, and managing the broader landscape to support biodiversity and pollinators are proving to be both practical and beneficial.
At the centre of many of these methods is healthy, living soil, filled with organisms that nourish crops and hold water. Diversifying crops and farming systems strengthens resilience against climate disruptions such as floods and droughts. Agro-ecology, a growing field in agricultural science, views farms as ecosystems and promotes practices that align with natural processes. Research from institutions like the Iowa State University's Marsden Farm has shown that these systems can even outperform conventional methods in yield and income over time.
Sustainable farming is not just about producing food. It is about building resilience, ensuring fairness, and supporting prosperity for future generations. This approach offers a promising solution to the interconnected challenges of food security, environmental degradation and climate change. By focusing on healthy soil, balanced ecosystems and regenerative practices, sustainable agriculture leads to healthier food, increased biodiversity and climate resilience. Although the transition may be difficult, it is necessary, and achievable, with collective effort, public awareness, and supportive policies.

Nusrat Sultana
Student, Department of Sociology
University of Chittagong