RecapRecapBiosphere – represents all animal Biosphere – represents all animal and plant life on Earth and the and plant life on Earth and the environments in which they liveenvironments in which they liveSystems ConceptSystems Concept

Input Input Process Process Output Output– AnalyzeAnalyze– DesignDesign– ControlControl

Cybernetics – science of how Cybernetics – science of how systems are regulatedsystems are regulated– Open-loopOpen-loop– Closed-loopClosed-loop

INPUT OUTPUTPROCESS

The livelihoods of 75% of the world’s poor The livelihoods of 75% of the world’s poor will continue to depend on agriculture for will continue to depend on agriculture for the foreseeable future. At the same time, the foreseeable future. At the same time, rising food prices are likely to make rising food prices are likely to make problems of hunger and poverty worse for problems of hunger and poverty worse for urban and rural people. Research that urban and rural people. Research that produces innovation in agriculture – produces innovation in agriculture – biosystems engineeringbiosystems engineering - is therefore more - is therefore more important than ever for reducing poverty. important than ever for reducing poverty.

Some areas you can doSome areas you can do

Research on increasing productivity from Research on increasing productivity from all farming systemsall farming systems

Specific technological and engineering Specific technological and engineering innovationsinnovations

Research on the use of low cost Research on the use of low cost technologies in agriculturetechnologies in agriculture

Support for indigenous knowledge Support for indigenous knowledge systems of crop and animal productionsystems of crop and animal production

Sustainability IssuesSustainability Issues

Food SystemFood System

AgricultureAgriculture

EnvironmentEnvironment

Renewable Natural ResourcesRenewable Natural Resources

Fisheries, forestry, water and land Fisheries, forestry, water and land resourcesresources

Provide income for majority of populationProvide income for majority of population

Provide vast majority of exportsProvide vast majority of exports

Supply raw materials to industrySupply raw materials to industry

Feed the populationFeed the population

Capable of generating wealth continuously Capable of generating wealth continuously through good management systemsthrough good management systems

Understand the GameUnderstand the Game

Life Supporting

Resources are

Declining

Consumption of Life Supporting

Resources are

Rising

Population, living

standards, productivity

Natural disasters,

development, environment, fossil fuels,

land use

Sustainable

SustainSustain

Keep alive or in existenceKeep alive or in existence

(Membuat terus hidup atau wujud)(Membuat terus hidup atau wujud)

Keep an effort going, maintainKeep an effort going, maintain

(Meneruskan sesuatu usaha, (Meneruskan sesuatu usaha, mempertahankan)mempertahankan)

SustainabilitySustainability rests on the principle that we rests on the principle that we must must meet the needs of the present meet the needs of the present

without compromising the ability of future without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needsgenerations to meet their own needs

Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development

Most societies aspire to achieve Most societies aspire to achieve economic development to secure economic development to secure rising rising standards of livingstandards of living, both for themselves , both for themselves and for future generations. and for future generations. They also seek to protect and enhance They also seek to protect and enhance their their environmentenvironment, now and for their , now and for their children. children. Reconciling these two aspirations is at Reconciling these two aspirations is at the the heart of sustainable developmentheart of sustainable development..

Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development

To provide an To provide an adequate supplyadequate supply of food of food and other products in an efficient manner. and other products in an efficient manner.

To To minimise consumptionminimise consumption of non- of non-renewable and other resources. renewable and other resources.

To To safeguardsafeguard the the qualityquality of soil, water and of soil, water and the air and to preserve, where feasible, the air and to preserve, where feasible, biodiversitybiodiversity in the landscape. in the landscape.

Principles of Sustainable Principles of Sustainable DevelopmentDevelopment

Economic development is sought by societies Economic development is sought by societies not only to satisfy basic material needs, but also not only to satisfy basic material needs, but also to provide the resources to improve the quality of to provide the resources to improve the quality of life in other domains, meeting the demand for life in other domains, meeting the demand for health care, education and a good environment.  health care, education and a good environment. 

Many forms of economic development make Many forms of economic development make demands upon the environment; they use demands upon the environment; they use natural resources which are sometimes in limited natural resources which are sometimes in limited supply, and generate by-products of pollution supply, and generate by-products of pollution and waste.  and waste. 

Principles of Sustainable Principles of Sustainable DevelopmentDevelopment

The right kind of economic activity can protect or The right kind of economic activity can protect or enhance the environment. enhance the environment.

These include: These include: – energy efficiency measures, energy efficiency measures, – improved technology and techniques of management, improved technology and techniques of management, – better product design and marketing, better product design and marketing, – waste minimization, waste minimization, – environmentally friendly farming practices, environmentally friendly farming practices, – making better use of land and buildings, and making better use of land and buildings, and – improved transport efficiency. improved transport efficiency.

ChallengeChallenge

The challenge of sustainable The challenge of sustainable development is to promote ways of development is to promote ways of

encouraging the use of various kinds of encouraging the use of various kinds of environmentally friendly economic environmentally friendly economic

activityactivity, and of , and of discouraging discouraging environmentally damaging activitiesenvironmentally damaging activities..

Sustainable Development StrategySustainable Development Strategy

Social progress which recognizes the Social progress which recognizes the needs of everyone needs of everyone

Effective protection of the environment Effective protection of the environment

Prudent use of natural resources Prudent use of natural resources

Maintenance of high and stable levels of Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment economic growth and employment

Definition of SustainabilityDefinition of Sustainability

Sustainable development is development Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present that meets the needs of the present

without compromising the needs of future without compromising the needs of future generations to meet their own needs.generations to meet their own needs.

Brundtland (1987)

ConceptsConcepts

It contains within it two key concepts:It contains within it two key concepts:

The concepts of The concepts of needsneeds, in particular the , in particular the essential needs of the world’s poor, to which essential needs of the world’s poor, to which overriding priority should be given, andoverriding priority should be given, and

The idea of The idea of limitationslimitations imposed by the state of imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the technology and social organization on the environments ability to meet present and future environments ability to meet present and future needs.needs.

Other DefinitionsOther Definitions

Sustainable development involves Sustainable development involves devising a social and economic system, devising a social and economic system,

which ensures that these goals are which ensures that these goals are sustained, i.e. that real incomes rise, that sustained, i.e. that real incomes rise, that educational standards increase, that the educational standards increase, that the health of the nation improves, that the health of the nation improves, that the

general quality of life is advanced. general quality of life is advanced.

Pearce, Makandia & Barbier (1989)Pearce, Makandia & Barbier (1989)

Other DefinitionsOther Definitions

Sustainable development, sustainable growth, and Sustainable development, sustainable growth, and sustainable use have been used interchangeably, as if sustainable use have been used interchangeably, as if their meanings were the same. their meanings were the same. They are not.They are not. Sustainable growthSustainable growth is a contradiction in terms: nothing is a contradiction in terms: nothing physical can grow indefinitely. physical can grow indefinitely. Sustainable useSustainable use, is only applicable to renewable , is only applicable to renewable resources. resources. Sustainable developmentSustainable development is used in this strategy to is used in this strategy to mean: improving the quality of human life whilst living mean: improving the quality of human life whilst living within the carrying capacity of the ecosystems. within the carrying capacity of the ecosystems.

UCN, UNEP, WWF (1991)UCN, UNEP, WWF (1991)

Other DefinitionsOther Definitions

Development is about realising resource Development is about realising resource potential. potential.

Sustainable developmentSustainable development of renewable natural of renewable natural resources implies respecting limits to the resources implies respecting limits to the development process, even though these limits development process, even though these limits are adjustable by technology. are adjustable by technology.

The The sustainability of technologysustainability of technology may be judged may be judged by whether it increases production, but retains by whether it increases production, but retains its other environmental and other limits.its other environmental and other limits.

Sustainable Agricultural SystemSustainable Agricultural System

A sustainable agricultural system is A sustainable agricultural system is one that can indefinitely meet the one that can indefinitely meet the requirements for food and fibre at requirements for food and fibre at

socially acceptable, economical and socially acceptable, economical and environmental costs.environmental costs.   

Crossen (1992)Crossen (1992)

Sustainable AgricultureSustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is a system that Sustainable agriculture is a system that can evolve indefinitely toward greater can evolve indefinitely toward greater

human utility, greater efficiency of human utility, greater efficiency of resource use and a balance with the resource use and a balance with the environment which is favourable to environment which is favourable to humans and most other species.humans and most other species.

Harwood (1990)

Sustainable AgricultureSustainable Agriculture

We thus define agricultural sustainability We thus define agricultural sustainability as  the ability to maintain productivity, as  the ability to maintain productivity, whether as a field  or farm or nation, whether as a field  or farm or nation,

WhereWhere

output of valued productoutput of valued product

productivity = --------------------------------- productivity = ---------------------------------

per unit of resource input. per unit of resource input.

Conway & Barbier (1990)Conway & Barbier (1990)

Caretaker of both Natural and Caretaker of both Natural and Human ResourcesHuman Resources

stewardship of both natural and human stewardship of both natural and human resourcesresources is of prime importance. is of prime importance. Stewardship of human resourcesStewardship of human resources includes includes consideration of social responsibilities such as consideration of social responsibilities such as working and living conditions of workers, the working and living conditions of workers, the needs of rural communities, and consumer needs of rural communities, and consumer health and safety both in the present and the health and safety both in the present and the future. future. Stewardship of land and natural resourcesStewardship of land and natural resources involves maintaining or enhancing this vital involves maintaining or enhancing this vital resource base for the long term. resource base for the long term.

Systems PerspectiveSystems Perspective

A A systems perspectivesystems perspective is essential to is essential to understanding sustainability. understanding sustainability.

The system is envisioned in its broadest sense, The system is envisioned in its broadest sense, from the individual farm, to the local ecosystem, from the individual farm, to the local ecosystem, and to communities affected by the farming and to communities affected by the farming system both locally and globally. system both locally and globally.

A systems approach gives the tools to explore A systems approach gives the tools to explore the the interconnectionsinterconnections between farming and other between farming and other aspects of the environment.aspects of the environment.

Interdisciplinary EffortsInterdisciplinary Efforts

A systems approach also implies A systems approach also implies interdisciplinary effortsinterdisciplinary efforts in research and in research and educationeducation. .

This requires not only the input of This requires not only the input of researchers from various disciplines, but researchers from various disciplines, but also farmers, farmworkers, consumers, also farmers, farmworkers, consumers, policymakers and others. policymakers and others.

NON-SUSTAINABLE SUSTAINABLE

transition

PROCESS

Meet

Future

Needs

Degradation

Erosion of Values

The Trend

A ProcessA Process

Making the transition to sustainable Making the transition to sustainable agriculture is a agriculture is a processprocess. .

Reaching toward the goal of sustainable Reaching toward the goal of sustainable agriculture is the agriculture is the responsibility of allresponsibility of all participants in the system, including participants in the system, including farmers, workers, policymakers, farmers, workers, policymakers, researchers, retailers, and consumers. researchers, retailers, and consumers.

Resource DegradationResource Degradation

Natural resource degradation from Natural resource degradation from non-non-sustainablesustainable farming and forestry practices. farming and forestry practices.

WaterWater is the principal resource that has is the principal resource that has helped agriculture and society to prosper, helped agriculture and society to prosper, and it has been a and it has been a major limiting factormajor limiting factor when mismanaged. when mismanaged. – drought-tolerant crop species, using reduced-drought-tolerant crop species, using reduced-

volume irrigation systems, managing crops to volume irrigation systems, managing crops to reduce water loss, or don’t plant anything!reduce water loss, or don’t plant anything!

EnergyEnergy

Modern agriculture is heavily dependent on Modern agriculture is heavily dependent on non-non-renewable energy sourcesrenewable energy sources, especially , especially petroleum. petroleum. The continued use of these non-renewable The continued use of these non-renewable energy sources cannot be sustained indefinitely. energy sources cannot be sustained indefinitely. In sustainable agricultural systems, there is In sustainable agricultural systems, there is reduced reliance on non-renewable energy reduced reliance on non-renewable energy sources and a substitution of sources and a substitution of renewable sourcesrenewable sources to the extent that is economically feasible e.g. to the extent that is economically feasible e.g. biofuelbiofuel

Water QualityWater Quality

The most important issues related to water The most important issues related to water quality involve salinization and quality involve salinization and contamination of ground and surface contamination of ground and surface waters by pesticides, nitrates and waters by pesticides, nitrates and selenium.selenium.

Erosion and sedimentation.Erosion and sedimentation.

Waste water treatment.Waste water treatment.

DesertificationDesertification

Air QualityAir Quality

Many agricultural activities affect Many agricultural activities affect air qualityair quality..These include smoke from agricultural burning; These include smoke from agricultural burning; dust from tillage, traffic and harvest; pesticide dust from tillage, traffic and harvest; pesticide drift from spraying; and nitrous oxide emissions drift from spraying; and nitrous oxide emissions from the use of nitrogen fertilizer. from the use of nitrogen fertilizer. Options to improve air quality include Options to improve air quality include incorporating crop residue into the soil, using incorporating crop residue into the soil, using appropriate levels of tillage, and planting wind appropriate levels of tillage, and planting wind breaks, cover crops or strips of native perennial breaks, cover crops or strips of native perennial grasses to reduce dust. grasses to reduce dust.

Soil QualitySoil Quality

Soil erosionSoil erosion continues to be a serious threat to continues to be a serious threat to our continued ability to produce adequate food. our continued ability to produce adequate food. – Property developmentProperty development– Hillside clearingHillside clearing

Numerous practices have been developed to Numerous practices have been developed to keep soil in place, which include keep soil in place, which include reducing or reducing or eliminating tillage, managing irrigation to reduce eliminating tillage, managing irrigation to reduce runoff, and keeping the soil covered with plants runoff, and keeping the soil covered with plants or mulch. or mulch. Enhancement of soil quality. Enhancement of soil quality.

Analysis of Sustainability

Level of analysisTypical characteristics

of sustainability (cumulative)

Typical determinants of sustainability

Field/production unit

Productive crops & animals; Conservation of soil & water; low levels of crop pests & animal diseases

Soil & water management; biological control of pests; use of organic manure; fertilizers; crop varieties & animal breeds

Farm 

Awareness by farmers; economic & social needs satisfied; viable production systems

Access to knowledge, external inputs and markets

Country

Public awareness; sound development of agro-ecological potential; conservation of resources

Policies for agricultural development; population pressure; agricultural education, research & extension

Region/continent/world

Quality of the natural environment; human welfare & equity mechanisms; international agricultural research & development

Control of pollution; terms of trade; distribution

 

PropositionProposition

A sustainable system or process must be A sustainable system or process must be based on resources that will not be based on resources that will not be exhausted over a reasonable period exhausted over a reasonable period (sometimes expressed as the 'long term')(sometimes expressed as the 'long term')

A sustainable system or process must A sustainable system or process must not generate unacceptable pollution not generate unacceptable pollution externally or internally externally or internally

Sustainable FarmingSustainable Farming

Essentially one has to treat one’s farmland Essentially one has to treat one’s farmland as a living system embedded in a broader as a living system embedded in a broader ecosystem and understanding how to ecosystem and understanding how to manage all farm practices on the basis of manage all farm practices on the basis of this holistic perception of this holistic perception of sustainabilitysustainability

Sustainable FarmingSustainable Farming

Its characteristics include:Its characteristics include:

The farmer understands the land as a living system The farmer understands the land as a living system in which she/he acts to support a dynamic balance in which she/he acts to support a dynamic balance among the plants, animals, insects, soil, and water.among the plants, animals, insects, soil, and water.Labor and knowledge are the intensive inputs.Labor and knowledge are the intensive inputs.Animal and plant production is integrated and Animal and plant production is integrated and synergistic.synergistic.Farm plant and animal residues and by-products Farm plant and animal residues and by-products are recycled, on the farm whenever possible.are recycled, on the farm whenever possible.Farming maintains biodiversity and soil health Farming maintains biodiversity and soil health through polyculture, crop rotation, cover crops, and through polyculture, crop rotation, cover crops, and appropriate application of compost and organic appropriate application of compost and organic fertilizer.fertilizer.

Sustainable FarmingSustainable Farming

Diversified cropping, windbreaks, hedgerows, and Diversified cropping, windbreaks, hedgerows, and vegetation at field margins contribute to improved vegetation at field margins contribute to improved and varied wildlife habitat, including encouragement and varied wildlife habitat, including encouragement of beneficial predator insects.of beneficial predator insects.Pests and weeds are controlled through the whole Pests and weeds are controlled through the whole pattern of farming, with little or no application of pattern of farming, with little or no application of chemical pesticides or herbicides. chemical pesticides or herbicides. Similarly, animal health is maintained through Similarly, animal health is maintained through avoiding large concentrations and with minimal use avoiding large concentrations and with minimal use of antibiotics.of antibiotics.Energy consumption is much lower at all stages of Energy consumption is much lower at all stages of the production cycle and uses renewable sources the production cycle and uses renewable sources wherever possible.wherever possible.Farm equipment is relatively lightweight with low Farm equipment is relatively lightweight with low energy demand and impact on soils.energy demand and impact on soils.

Essential Attributes for Future Essential Attributes for Future Agricultural SystemsAgricultural Systems

They should be They should be highly productivehighly productive, of , of safe, high quality productssafe, high quality products ((within identified constraintswithin identified constraints) ) They should be They should be physically sustainablephysically sustainable, i.e. use physical resources at , i.e. use physical resources at rates or in ways which allow adequate long term development rates or in ways which allow adequate long term development They should be They should be biologically sustainablebiologically sustainable (i.e. the biological (i.e. the biological organisms and processes on which they depend must be organisms and processes on which they depend must be sustainable in the long term) - this could encompass the avoidance sustainable in the long term) - this could encompass the avoidance of internal  pollution such as the build up of heavy metals of internal  pollution such as the build up of heavy metals They should satisfy agreed They should satisfy agreed standardsstandards for human and animal welfare for human and animal welfare They should not give rise to unacceptable They should not give rise to unacceptable pollutionpollution, by products or , by products or effects, including visual ones effects, including visual ones They must be They must be profitable profitable (since they would not be practiced if they (since they would not be practiced if they were not) - this also assumes that the products are wanted were not) - this also assumes that the products are wanted (otherwise there will be no demand and the business will collapse)   (otherwise there will be no demand and the business will collapse)  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Source: Pretty, J. N. The Living Land (1998)

Integrated Crop Management (ICM)Integrated Crop Management (ICM)

ICM is a ICM is a 'whole farm approach''whole farm approach' which is site which is site specific and includes:specific and includes:

The use of crop rotations The use of crop rotations

Appropriate cultivation techniques Appropriate cultivation techniques

Careful choice of seed varieties Careful choice of seed varieties

Minimum reliance on artificial inputs such as Minimum reliance on artificial inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides and fossil fuels fertilisers, pesticides and fossil fuels

Maintenance of the landscape Maintenance of the landscape

The enhancement of wildlife habitatsThe enhancement of wildlife habitats

Objectives of ICMObjectives of ICM

The reduction or replacement of external farm The reduction or replacement of external farm inputs, such as inorganic fertilizers, pesticides inputs, such as inorganic fertilizers, pesticides and fuel, by means of farm produced substitutes and fuel, by means of farm produced substitutes and better management of inputs. and better management of inputs. Total replacement is not possible without Total replacement is not possible without significant loss of yields, but partial substitution significant loss of yields, but partial substitution of inputs can be achieved by the use of natural of inputs can be achieved by the use of natural resources, the avoidance of waste and efficient resources, the avoidance of waste and efficient management of external inputs. management of external inputs. This would then lead to This would then lead to reduced production cost reduced production cost and less environmental degradation.and less environmental degradation.

Waste ManagementWaste Management

The three "R"s apply here more than ever: The three "R"s apply here more than ever: reduce, reuse, recyclereduce, reuse, recycle. It'll not only be more . It'll not only be more sustainable, but it's cheaper, too. sustainable, but it's cheaper, too.

Examine every bit of garbage and waste that Examine every bit of garbage and waste that your operation produces and ask your operation produces and ask "What else "What else can I do with this?"can I do with this?" If you can't do anything to If you can't do anything to do with it, try to think of ways someone else in do with it, try to think of ways someone else in the community can use it. the community can use it. Be creativeBe creative. .

Biological SustainabilityBiological Sustainability

No individual life form can be sustainable No individual life form can be sustainable indefinitely, since all must die at some point in indefinitely, since all must die at some point in time. time.

Preservation of individual life is only possible for Preservation of individual life is only possible for limited periods (limited sustainability). limited periods (limited sustainability).

Individual species, ecosystems and habitats can Individual species, ecosystems and habitats can be sustained as they involve reproductive and be sustained as they involve reproductive and other essential processes - without which they other essential processes - without which they would cease to exist.would cease to exist.

Non-living ResourcesNon-living Resources

Some resources are limited, other resources if not used Some resources are limited, other resources if not used now, will not  remain. now, will not  remain. The most obvious example being The most obvious example being sunlightsunlight. If the solar . If the solar radiation received today is not trapped and utilized, it will radiation received today is not trapped and utilized, it will not be available tomorrow . Nor will the rate that it is not be available tomorrow . Nor will the rate that it is used today effect the amount that can be used used today effect the amount that can be used tomorrow. tomorrow. The sun however is not an infinite resource and is slowly The sun however is not an infinite resource and is slowly (albeit very slowly) running down. (albeit very slowly) running down. Non-living resourcesNon-living resources may largely remain intact, though may largely remain intact, though they may change greatly in form (consider soil erosion, they may change greatly in form (consider soil erosion, radiation loss and weathering of rock). radiation loss and weathering of rock). 

Non-living ResourcesNon-living Resources

Resources such as Resources such as fossil fuelsfossil fuels are totally changed when are totally changed when used and cannot be recreated on any reasonable time used and cannot be recreated on any reasonable time scale. But they serve no purpose if left unused. scale. But they serve no purpose if left unused. The use of fossil fuels is entirely necessary to discover The use of fossil fuels is entirely necessary to discover and exploit other resources for energy production. and exploit other resources for energy production. They make possible the construction of dams for They make possible the construction of dams for hydropower and windmills for wind power. hydropower and windmills for wind power. In other words, we are using the limited resource to find In other words, we are using the limited resource to find the means not to use, or at least limit its rate of use in the means not to use, or at least limit its rate of use in the future. the future. Gas and petrol are both derived from Gas and petrol are both derived from unsustainable resources.unsustainable resources.

Pause & PonderPause & Ponder

The arrows in the  flow chart above, outline The arrows in the  flow chart above, outline the flows of money through the rural sector, the flows of money through the rural sector, can you suggest any free resources the can you suggest any free resources the farmer receives, and of what use are theyfarmer receives, and of what use are they??

If a resource is limited, is there any benefit of If a resource is limited, is there any benefit of leaving it totally unused?leaving it totally unused?

Newly manufactured fence posts, but are Newly manufactured fence posts, but are they from a sustainable wood supply?they from a sustainable wood supply?

Sustaining ResourcesSustaining Resources

Resources such as water and energy can be Resources such as water and energy can be used up, but never destroyed. used up, but never destroyed. Matter can never Matter can never be destroyed or indestructible.be destroyed or indestructible.They may be changed in form, be recyclable or They may be changed in form, be recyclable or difficult to recapture. difficult to recapture. There is a difference between using a resource There is a difference between using a resource and using it up. For example, the countryside. and using it up. For example, the countryside. Viewing the hills in a recreational park in Perlis is Viewing the hills in a recreational park in Perlis is not using up the resource, but walking in the hills not using up the resource, but walking in the hills may (eventually) destroy them (eco-tourism)may (eventually) destroy them (eco-tourism)

Living ResourcesLiving Resources

Living resources do not remain static. A Living resources do not remain static. A dairy cow which is not milked may not dairy cow which is not milked may not provide any milk in the future and may provide any milk in the future and may eventually die and be unavailable for any eventually die and be unavailable for any purpose.purpose.

Living ResourcesLiving Resources

All living things must eventually die: thus, All living things must eventually die: thus, a tree not used as a resource will a tree not used as a resource will eventually die and decay - liberating the eventually die and decay - liberating the same amount of COsame amount of CO22 as if it had been as if it had been

burnt.burnt.

Gaharu

Sustainable HarvestingSustainable Harvesting

The use of living resources may have to be The use of living resources may have to be considered over a relatively short period or be considered over a relatively short period or be related to populations (plant and animal) capable related to populations (plant and animal) capable of reproduction. of reproduction.

This has given rise to the concept of This has given rise to the concept of sustainable sustainable harvestingharvesting, , taking only such proportion of the taking only such proportion of the population as can be continued over time, population as can be continued over time, depending on reproductive rates in animals and depending on reproductive rates in animals and seed numbers in plantsseed numbers in plants

Economic SustainabilityEconomic Sustainability

Economics is about the efficient use of Economics is about the efficient use of resourcesresources, usually expressed in monetary terms. , usually expressed in monetary terms. The concept of economic sustainability is The concept of economic sustainability is subject, on all levels, to different inputs and subject, on all levels, to different inputs and outputs. outputs. The economic sustainability of a The economic sustainability of a farmfarm is subject is subject to the viability of, and markets for, an enterprise to the viability of, and markets for, an enterprise or product. or product. The economic sustainability of a The economic sustainability of a nationnation is is subject to the whole economy on local, national subject to the whole economy on local, national and international level. and international level. 

Farming LifeFarming Life

Enjoy your life.Enjoy your life. Farming is hard work, but Farming is hard work, but the most successful farmers know when to the most successful farmers know when to call it a day and circumvent burn-out. call it a day and circumvent burn-out. Remember why you're farming and why, in Remember why you're farming and why, in particular, you're aiming for a sustainable particular, you're aiming for a sustainable operation. operation. For most people, For most people, it's because they like it's because they like knowing they're leaving land in better knowing they're leaving land in better shape than they found it.shape than they found it.

TUTORIAL Session 1/2009TUTORIAL Session 1/2009

Provide your understanding of what Provide your understanding of what Biosystems Engineering is all about? Biosystems Engineering is all about? What is a working definition of What is a working definition of sustainability?sustainability?Illustrate with a simple diagram of Illustrate with a simple diagram of sustainability with respect to INPUT, sustainability with respect to INPUT, OUTPUT and USE.OUTPUT and USE.Relate between population and Relate between population and sustainability.sustainability.