Systems for sustainable agriculture: approaches, tradeoffs and needs

Abstract

All systems of agriculture practiced today can be seen as having a potential for improvement and contributing toward a more sustainable agriculture. The major differences in approach and in the types of services needed to serve the development of Sustainable Agriculture are between Industrial and Ecological systems rather than between Organic and Conventional systems (defined by inputs). Support services offered by private and public institutions are adequate for Industrial systems, but not for Ecological systems.