Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable Agriculture
A Report Submitted to
                    Santhosh Somashekar
                      Assistant Professor
             Department of Mechanical Engineering
                                  Certificate
  Certified that the seminar entitled Sustainable Agriculture is a bonafide work
                                    carried out by
                                 Hemanth Sagar SR
                                    Gunjan Soni
                                     Harusha N
                                   Hemalatha VB
in partial fulfillment for the award of Bachelor of Engineering in Computer
Science Engineering under the Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum,
during the year 2024– 25. It is certified that all corrections / suggestions indicated
for internal assessment have been incorporated in the report deposited in the
departmental library. The report has been approved as it satisfies the academic
requirements in respect of the course Introduction to Sustainable Engineering
(22ME1ETISE) prescribed for the said degree.
Signature of Principal
I further declare that I have not submitted this report either in part or in
full to any other university for the award of any degree.
                            Hemanth Sagar SR
                                Gunjan Soni
                                 Harusha N
                               Hemalatha VB
Place: Bengaluru
Date:
                      Contents
     • Data Management and Analytics: At the core of precision farming is a data-driven approach. It involves
       gathering data from diverse sources like soil sensors, weather stations, and satellite imagery. Then, through
       advanced analytics, this data is transformed into invaluable insights. These insights guide decisions on
       planting, irrigation, fertilization, and pest control, optimizing resource usage and crop health.
     • Global Positioning System (GPS): GPS technology revolutionizes farming by allowing precise tracking and
       mapping of equipment in the eld. This level of accuracy minimizes overlaps in farming activities,
       streamlines operations, and ensures e cient resource utilization, ultimately boosting productivity.
     • Remote Sensing: The deployment of remote sensing tools, such as drones and satellites, empowers
       farmers with real-time information about crop health, soil conditions, and potential pest infestations. These
       technologies enable early issue detection, targeted interventions, and improved crop yields, all while
       managing resources more e ectively.
     • Variable Rate Technology (VRT): VRT is a game-changer, permitting the precise application of
       inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation. These applications are tailored to the speci c
       requirements of di erent areas within a eld, preventing resource overuse and reducing the
       environmental footprint of farming.
     • Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI): VRI systems are water-saving champions. They dynamically adjust
       irrigation rates and locations based on speci c moisture needs within a eld. By doing so, they
       reduce water wastage and contribute to the conservation of this precious resource.
     • Decision Support Systems: These systems are like trusted advisors for farmers. They provide
       recommendations for various farming practices, including crop selection and planting dates,
       based on historical and real-time data. They are a compass guiding farmers toward more informed
       decisions and better outcomes.
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                                    Chapter 3: Agroecology
Ecology is the study of relationships between
plants, animals, people, and their environment -
and the balance between these relationships.
Agroecology is the application of ecological
concepts and principals in farming.
Agroecology promotes farming practices that;
Mitigate climate change - reducing emissions,
recycling resources and prioritising local supply
chains.Work with wildlife - managing the
impact of farming on wildlife and harnessing
nature to do the hard work for us, such as pollinating crops and controlling
pests.Put farmers and communities in the driving seat - they give power to
approaches led by local people and adapt agricultural techniques to suit the
       Enhanced Soil Fertility and Water Retention: In rainfed regions of India, traditional
       agroecological practices such as mixed cropping and intercropping increase plant diversity and
       root exudates, which improve soil structure and nutrient cycling.
          Intercropping pearl millet with legumes in rainfed areas of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, as
          studied by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, demonstrated enhanced soil fertility
          and water retention.
       Integrated Nutrient Management: Agroecological practices promote the use of organic manures,
       crop residues, and cover crops, reducing the reliance on synthetic fertilizers and minimizing
       nutrient runo .
          Research by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in Punjab demonstrated that
          incorporating crop residues and applying compost improved soil organic carbon content,
          nutrient availability, and water-holding capacity.
       Crop Rotation and Diversity: The practice of crop rotation and mixed cropping improves soil
       biodiversity, reduces pest and disease pressure, and promotes e cient nutrient utilization.
       Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Implementing IPM techniques such as trap cropping and
       biological control reduces the need for chemical pesticides, preserving soil health and minimizing
       environmental pollution.
          Studies conducted by the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) in Andhra Pradesh
          demonstrated that IPM practices reduced pesticide use and improved soil microbial diversity,
          leading to better soil health.
       Organic Matter Enrichment: Practices such as composting and mulching increase organic matter
       content in soil, improving its structure, water retention, and nutrient-holding capacity.
          A study conducted by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) found that organic farming
          practices can lead to a 20-30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to
          conventional practices.
       Climate Adaptation and Mitigation: Agroecological systems promote crop diversi cation and
       varietal selection, reducing vulnerability to climate impacts like droughts and oods.
          Example: In Maharashtra, India, farmers are shifting from water-intensive crops to drought-
          resistant crops like millets, adapting to changing climate conditions.
       Enhanced Carbon Sequestration: Agroecological practices increase carbon sequestration in
       soils, contributing to climate change mitigation by capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide.
          Example: Agroforestry systems in Tamil Nadu, India, integrate tree plantations with crops,
          contributing to carbon sequestration while providing economic bene ts.
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                Chapter 4: Vertical Farming Innovations
Vertical farming is the practice of growing crops in vertically and horizontally
stacked layers. It often incorporates controlled-environment agriculture,
which aims to optimize plant growth, and soilless farming techniques such
as hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics. Some common choices of
structures to house vertical farming systems include buildings, shipping
containers, underground tunnels, and abandoned mine shafts.The main
advantage of utilizing vertical farming technologies is the increased crop
yield that comes with a smaller unit area of land requirement. The
increased ability to cultivate a larger variety of crops at once because crops
do not share the same plots of land while growing is another sought-after
advantage.
1. Media-Based Systems
          In media based systems, plants are grown in a bed lled with a growing medium such as
          gravel, clay pebbles, or lava rock. The media provides support for the plants and acts as a
          bio lter, hosting bene cial bacteria that convert sh waste into nutrients. Water from the
           sh tank is pumped through the grow bed, where it is ltered by the media before
          returning to the tank. Media-based systems are simple to set up and ideal for beginners
          NFT systems involve growing plants in channels where a thin lm of nutrient-rich water
           ows over the roots. The water is pumped from the sh tank into the channels and then
           ows back into the tank. This method ensures that plant roots receive a constant supply of
          nutrients and oxygen. NFT systems are e cient and suitable for growing leafy greens and
          herbs but may require more precise monitoring of water ow and nutrient levels.
3. Raft System
          Also knows as Deep Water Culture (DWC). In this system plants are grown on oating rafts
          with their roots submerged directly in nutrient-rich water. The water is continuously
          circulated between the sh tank and the plant raft, ensuring a steady supply of nutrients
          and oxygen.Raft systems are highly productive and can support a wide variety of plants,
          making them popular for both home and commercial use.Understanding these di erent
          types of aquaponics systems can help you choose the best one for your needs, whether
          you’re looking to start a small home garden or a larger scale farm.
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                  Chapter 9 : Organic Farming Practices
Organic farming can be de ned as an agricultural process that uses biological
fertilisers and pest control acquired from animal or
plant waste. Organic farming was actually initiated
as an answer to the environmental su erings
caused by the use of chemical pesticides and
synthetic fertilisers. In other words, organic farming
is a new system of farming or agriculture that
repairs, maintains, and improves the ecological
balance.n organic farming, no expensive fertilisers,
pesticides, or HYV seeds are required for the
plantation of crops. Therefore, there is no extra
expense.With the usage of cheaper and local inputs, a farmer can make a good
return on investment.There is a huge demand for organic products in India and
across the globe, which generates more income through export.As compared
to chemical and fertiliser-utilised products, organic products are more
nutritional, tasty, and good for health.The farming of organic products is free of
chemicals and fertilisers, so it does not harm the environment.
 High Labor Demand: Sustainable agriculture often requires more manual labor
 than conventional agriculture, as it involves practices such as Crop Rotation,
 Intercropping, Organic Fertilization, and pest management.This can increase
 the cost of production and reduce the pro tability of farmers.
 High Capital Cost: Sustainable agriculture may require high initial investment
 in infrastructure, equipment, and inputs, such as Irrigation systems, micro-
 irrigation devices, organic fertilizers, and seeds.
This can be a barrier for small and marginal farmers who lack access to credit
and Subsidies.
In the budget speech, the Finance Minister of India rea rmed the
Government’s commitment to natural, chemical-free, organic and
Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF). It is the third time in the last four
budget speeches where (zero budget) natural farming nds a mention.
  Sikkim (India's rst organic state), has seen some decline in yields
  following conversion to organic farming.
  Many farmers have reverted to conventional farming after seeing
  their ZBNF returns drop after a few years.
  While ZBNF has de nitely helped preserve soil fertility, its role in
  boosting productivity and farmers’ income isn’t conclusive yet.
  An often-cited barrier by farmers in transitioning to chemical-free
  agriculture is the lack of readily available natural inputs. Not every
  farmer has the time, patience, or labour to develop their own inputs.
  A study in Nature Sustainability states that while the nutrient value
  of the natural inputs is similar to the chemical ones used in low-
  input farms (farms using lower quantities of fertilisers and
  pesticides), it is less in high-input farms.
• When such nutrient de ciencies are aggregated at a large scale, it
  might hamper the yield over the years, potentially leading to food
  security concerns.
  Although the Budget 2022-23 envisages the promotion of natural or
  chemical-free farming across the country, no speci c allocations
  have been made to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
   The currently-operational schemes such as the PKVY and the
   National Project on Organic Farming also did not nd any mention
   in the budget.
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       What Measures Can Be Taken to Scale up Chemical-Free/
                        Natural Farming?
  Peer Farmers as Inspiration: NGOs and champion farmers who have been
  promoting and practising sustainable agriculture across the country can be
  leveraged for this purpose.
A CEEW (Council on Energy, Environment and Water) research estimates that at
least ve million farmers are already practising some form of sustainable agriculture
and hundreds of NGOs are involved in promoting them.
Learning from peers, especially champion farmers, through on- eld
demonstrations has proved highly e ective in scaling up chemical-free agriculture
in Andhra Pradesh.
According to the United Nations, by 2050, the global population is expected to add
another two bn people to today's gure of almost eight bn. Earth’s population is rapidly
expanding, and the need for more resources comes with that expansion - food production
is expected to increase by 70% to meet the demands of the booming population.
Today, more than one billion people depend on farming for income. The earth’s population
has become a growing concern regarding the possibility of producing that much food with
limited natural resources. Sustainable agriculture provides a solution for this increasing
concern.
This approach helps protect the environment and natural resources while promoting
economic pro tability and social equity, ensuring that all people have access to adequate
and a ordable food.
Environmental Bene ts
Sustainable agriculture encourages social equity and helps create a more equitable food
system. Through sustainable production methods, agricultural harvests can become more
reliable and adaptable over time, allowing consistent access to a ordable food for
everyone, regardless of their economic situation.
Furthermore, sustainable agriculture often promotes local farming due to the increased
ability of farmers to operate within a community.
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Positive impacts on food security
Sustainable agriculture practices can have many positive impacts on food security. They
create a more e cient, stable, and resilient food system than traditional farming
practices, making it an e ective strategy for meeting the global demand for food.
Moreover, this approach provides a way to protect natural resources and mitigate climate
change e ects on crop yields, improving the ability to provide food for both the present
and future generations.
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                          References
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_agriculture
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-
  sciences/precision-agriculture
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical_farming
• https://www.soilassociation.org/causes-campaigns/a-ten-
  year-transition-to-agroecology/what-is-agroecology
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_biotechnology
• https://www.sare.org/sare-category/soil-management/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-
  biological-sciences/agricultural-water-management
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community-
  supported_agriculture