The contribution of Agriculture to Sustainability

When we talk about sustainability, we automatically think about the environment. Sustainability does have a connection with the environment, but it goes much further. Being sustainable is related to allowing the entire society to improve its level of well-being and consumption, without compromising future generations. With this, we say that sustainability is divided into a tripod composed of economic, social and environmental biases.

This is a hot topic: concern about the waste we produce and the fate we give it, global warming, water resources, poverty, pollution and a population that keeps growing. According to data released by the United Nations (UN), in 2017, the world population was made up of 7,6 billion people, and the expectation is that this number will grow to 8,6 billion in 2030. In other words, an increase of 1 billion inhabitants in 13 years. Also in 2030, the UN predicts that society will need 35% more food, 40% more water and 50% more energy.  
These topics generate concern in all sectors of industry and agriculture could not be different. In this context, “balance” is the key to having a better planet. We must think, invest and act, focusing on the responsible and conscious use of natural resources, adding value to our products, strengthening ties with our partners and customers and respecting the communities in which we operate.
Thinking about this in an integrated way, we arrive at the central point of the text. What is the contribution of agriculture to help improve these aspects and make the planet better? What is the participation of agribusiness?
Far beyond maintaining good agricultural practices, the industry helps to deliver more productivity, with solutions that allow farmers to use smaller spaces of land, less water and energy, respecting biodiversity and reducing waste – this is the concept of modern agriculture, based on digital technology in the field and use of biotechnology. We can cite as an example transgenics that, adapted to the needs and particularities of each region of Brazil, help to enhance production, resulting in better harvests, with more food available and respecting food and nutritional security.
One of the ways farmers use to deal with the challenges of managing the water problems that affect their crops, for example, is the planting of drought-tolerant seeds - which has become possible thanks to advances in plant genetic improvement and biotechnology. In regions where irrigation is not possible, these seeds allow crops to better withstand the stress caused by limited and irregular rainfall. Other examples are direct planting (soil management system in which straw and residues from other crops are kept in the soil for preservation) and conservation agriculture (using the soil, seeking to maintain or improve its fertility, in order to maintain its composition, structure and natural biodiversity).  
These actions are excellent examples of the sustainable practices that farmers adopt on their farms to better care for the land and the food that comes from it. However, we need to keep in mind that a sustainable planet needs global actions and collaboration to balance the “social, economic and environmental” aspects, and that each of us can and needs to do our part.
* Danielly Crocco has a degree in Foreign Trade, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification and Sustainability and Social Responsibility leader at Monsanto for South America.