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| Policy instruments for overcoming barriers to farmers adopting more sustainable farming systems. For any farm to be sustainable, it must meet four goals, shown in the centre: (1) produce adequate amounts of high-quality food (production); (2) enhance the natural-resource base and environment (environment); (3) be financially viable (economics); and (4) contribute to the wellbeing of farmers and their communities (wellbeing) 10 . Despite the appeal of a sustainable agriculture philosophy, the task for farmers to achieve agricultural sustainability is challenging. Just because a farm is organic does not mean that it is sustainable. However, research shows that organic farming systems better balance the four sustainability goals than their conventional counterparts and are more likely to achieve agricultural sustainability (overlapping area). Yet, significant barriers to adopting organic agriculture exist, including powerful vested interests and existing policies, lack of information and knowledge, weak infrastructure and other economic challenges, and misperceptions and cultural biases. In fact, many of these same barriers exist for other innovative systems, such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, integrated farming and mixed crop–livestock systems. A diversity of policy instruments is needed to overcome these barriers, and can be categorized as financial, legal and knowledge-based instruments. Examples of these instruments are shown in the figure.
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Organic agriculture has a history of being contentious and is considered by some as an inefficient approach to food production. Yet organic foods and beverages are a rapidly growing market segment in the global food industry. Here, we examine the performance of organic farming in light of four key sustainability metrics: productivity, environmental...
Citations
... This method slows water flow, improves water infiltration, and reduces erosion, particularly in areas with hilly or sloped terrain. Contour farming also helps conserve soil moisture, making it an effective drought-mitigation strategy (Reganold et al., 2011). ...
Modern agriculture stands at a critical crossroads where the demand for increased
food production must be balanced with the urgent need to restore environmental
health. “Farming with Nature: Regenerative Practices for Productive and Resilient
Agriculture” explores how regenerative agricultural approaches offer a transformative
pathway toward sustainability by aligning farming systems with ecological principles.
Unlike conventional practices that often deplete soil and natural resources, regenerative
agriculture emphasizes soil health, biodiversity, water conservation, and carbon
sequestration while enhancing productivity and resilience.
... Organic systems remove synthetic inputs because they use only biological solutions to manage fertility alongside pest control elements. Lower yields of organic agriculture amount to 10-20% compared to conventional production in ideal conditions nevertheless this differential reduces to zero when traditional cultivation methods operate alongside drought exposure (Reganold & Wachter, 2016). ...
Objectives: To analyze the relationship between sustainable agricultural practices, food security, and environmental sustainability. To identify effective sustainable agricultural methods that support both food production and ecological preservation. Methods: Assessing sustainable agricultural methods using supported examples and case studies. Examining integrated systems that combine agroecological approaches, technology adoption, and supportive policy measures. Results: Agroecological methods, when combined with suitable technologies and supportive policies, are the most effective in balancing food production and ecological preservation. A transformation of agricultural practices is necessary to ensure global food security while maintaining environmental sustainability. Conclusion: Achieving global food security and environmental sustainability requires integrating traditional agricultural wisdom with modern scientific advancements. A fundamental transformation of agricultural practices is needed to sustain both food production and natural resource conservation.
... When asked about the type of fertilizers used, a majority (65%) reported using both chemical and organic fertilizers, suggesting some level of integrated nutrient management practice. However, 27% relied solely on chemical fertilizers, which raises concerns about long-term soil health degradation, as documented by various studies (Reganold and Wachter, 2016) [20] . ...
... Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a globally significant cereal crop, and its organic cultivation is increasingly recognized as a key component of sustainable agriculture. Organic farming avoids synthetic inputs, relying on natural processes to maintain soil health and crop productivity (Reganold and Wachter, 2016) [40] . While the demand for organic wheat is rising, productivity remains a major concern due to agronomic and ecological limitations. ...
... Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a globally significant cereal crop, and its organic cultivation is increasingly recognized as a key component of sustainable agriculture. Organic farming avoids synthetic inputs, relying on natural processes to maintain soil health and crop productivity (Reganold and Wachter, 2016) [40] . While the demand for organic wheat is rising, productivity remains a major concern due to agronomic and ecological limitations. ...
... A production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people relying primarily on ecological processes and microorganisms, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions. (44)(45)(46) Regenerative agriculture Farming and grazing practices that reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring biodiversity -resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle. (47)(48)(49) Conventional farming Capital and input intensive farming system reliant on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides with monocultures focused on maximizing productivity and efficiency. ...
... Meta-analyses have shown significant increases in species richness and abundance across taxa, as well as higher annual rates of soil carbon accumulation under organic management (33). While there are trade-offs in yields, ecosystem service gains can offset lower average productivity (45). To apply ecological insights to practice, it is crucial to integrate ecosystem services into agricultural decision-making. ...
Ecosystem services (ES) are fundamental to promoting agricultural sustainability, playing a vital role in enhancing resilience and productivity within agricultural ecosystems. This review critically examines the interactions between biodiversity, farming practices and ES delivery, presenting a novel synthesis of their roles in sustainable agriculture. Unlike existing literature focussing on isolated ES or individual farming paradigms, this review integrates insights from multiple agricultural paradigms, including organic, regenerative and conventional systems. It provides a comparative assessment of their effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functionality. It also emphasizes the role of agricultural biodiversity as a nexus for enhancing ecosystem services. This review is structured into four main sections. It begins by classifying key ecosystem services relevant to agricultural systems, underscoring their importance for environmental sustainability. Second, it investigates various farming systems, with a particular focus on the role of biodiversity in enhancing ecosystem services. Third, it conducts a comparative assessment of diverse farming systems follows, evaluating their impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functionality to inform evidence-based strategies for enhancing ES. This review bridges gaps in existing research by highlighting synergies and proposing strategies to optimize diverse farming systems. These efforts aim to enhance ecosystem services and contribute to sustainable agricultural landscapes.
... The future of organic regulations is likely to emphasize soil health and environmental sustainability more than ever. Regulatory bodies may develop standards that prioritize regenerative practices, such as cover cropping and reduced tillage, which promote soil health and biodiversity (Reganold & Wachter, 2016). By incorporating these principles into organic certification, regulatory frameworks can help ensure that organic farming not only meets consumer demand for healthy food but also contributes positively to environmental health. ...
... Techniques such as organic fertilizers, biopesticides, and crop diversification are gaining traction. Recent advancements in organic crop breeding focus on developing varieties that are high-yielding and resilient to pests and diseases, thereby increasing the sustainability of organic systems (Reganold & Wachter, 2016). ...
... A cost-benefit analysis by Reganold & Wachter (2020) found that despite 10-18% lower yields, integrated organicbiological systems were 22-35% more profitable than conventional systems due to premium prices and reduced input costs. ...
... Subsidies and incentive programs: Financial support during transition periods can address short-term yield gaps or increased labor requirements. Analysis by Reganold & Wachter (2020) found that transition payments covering 30-50% of income differential during the first 2-3 years substantially increased adoption rates for organic horticulture. ...
... Consumer education campaigns: Informing consumers about the environmental and health benefits of sustainably produced horticultural products builds demand for these items. Longitudinal studies by Reganold & Wachter (2020) demonstrated that regions with strong consumer education initiatives experienced 20-35% higher growth rates in organic and sustainable produce markets compared to regions without such initiatives. 3. Accessibility and convenience: Reducing barriers to sustainable product purchase significantly impacts market growth. ...
The growing need for environmentally benign methods of managing diseases in horticulture has fuelled the development of sustainable alternatives to conventional disease control. Synthetic pesticides in conventional management have led to environmental contamination, human health hazards, and the emergence of resistant pathogens and pests. Integrating biological control with organic methods has emerged as a viable approach for sustainable horticulture. Biological control operates by suppressing pest and pathogen populations through natural enemies such as beneficial insects and microorganisms, offering specificity, persistence, and environmental compatibility. Organic practices emphasize soil health management through compost, cover crops, and organic amendments, enhancing microbial communities and plant resilience. This review synthesizes current research on the integration of these approaches, examining their efficacy, limitations, and implementation challenges across diverse horticultural systems. We explore how these integrated strategies can reduce synthetic pesticide dependence, minimize environmental impacts, and enhance production of safe, nutritious horticultural crops by harnessing the power of natural ecosystems. Recent advances in microbial inoculants, plant-microbe interactions, and precision application technologies are discussed as emerging frontiers in eco-friendly disease management.
... To meet the needs of this large population, food production needs to increase by 35% to 56% (van Dijk et al., 2021). This challenge is further compounded by current agricultural practices, which contribute to environmental degradation and climate change (Reganold and Wachter, 2016;Crist et al., 2017;Arora, 2019). Agriculture, which occupies about 44% of the world's habitable land, is directly affecting ecosystem functioning and biodiversity due to ongoing expansion and intensification (Ritchie and Roser, 2019;Barros-Rodrıǵuez et al., 2021;Beillouin et al., 2021;Lal, 2021). ...
Abiotic stress is among the most critical factors limiting crop productivity worldwide and its importance is further exacerbated by climate change. In recent years, microalgal biostimulants have gained attention for their potential to enhance plant resilience towards abiotic stress. However, significant hurdles still persist, particularly regarding the unknown modes of action of microalgal biostimulants, which is a concern for stringent regulatory requirements and product reliability. The aim of this review is to improve the potential of microalgal biostimulants for abiotic stress mitigation in plants by addressing different key parameters shaping the efficacy of microalgal biostimulants, encompassing cultivation approaches, extraction techniques, and application methods. Furthermore, it also highlights how microalgal biostimulants modulate plant morphology, physiology and biochemistry under drought, salinity, and heat stress—three predominant stressors anticipated to intensify under climate change. Notably, these biostimulants consistently enhance drought stress tolerance by improving biomass accumulation, nutrient uptake, and water use efficiency through enhanced photosynthesis and stomatal regulation. These effects are largely driven by the accumulation of osmoprotectants and antioxidant compounds. In contrast, salt stress mitigation is highly species-dependent, with some microalgae enhancing stress tolerance through osmoprotectant and antioxidant accumulation, while others reduce these compounds, potentially lowering stress perception via unknown mechanisms. Despite the significance of the abiotic stress, heat stress mitigation by microalgal biostimulants remains an underexplored research area. Additionally, indirect applications of microalgae—ranging from biotechnological innovations to desalination—underscore the broader potential of these organisms in agricultural resilience. Collectively, this review identifies three key gaps in the existing literature—the diversity gap, the practical gap, and the research gap—while outlining promising avenues for future research in microalgal biostimulant development.
... Tantangan tersebut mencakup :a. Biaya Produksi yang Lebih TinggiSalah satu tantangan utama dalam pertanian organik adalah tingginya biaya produksi dibandingkan dengan pertanian konvensional(Reganold & Wachter, 2016). Hal ini disebabkan oleh beberapa faktor, seperti biaya tenaga kerja yang lebih mahal, kebutuhan akan input alami yang lebih mahal dibandingkan bahan kimia sintetis, serta investasi awal yang besar dalam proses konversi lahan dari sistem pertanian konvensional ke sistem organik(Crowder & Reganold, 2015). ...
... In response to these pressing ecological concerns and health risks, organic food has gained significant traction (Marozzo et al., 2023;Orsini et al., 2020;Munaqib et al., 2025). Organic farming practices prioritize sustainability by abstaining from synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), in favor of natural and less ecologically damaging approaches (Reganold and Wachter, 2016). Organic foods are cultivated using methods that promote soil health, minimize environmental impact, prioritize animal welfare, and often contain fewer artificial additives (Mie et al., 2017;Kum et al., 2021). ...
Addressing environmental crises requires a shift in consumer behaviour towards more ecologically friendly options. Practicing organic conduct may improve psychological health. However, the desire to purchase health-conscious and ecologically friendly foods is struggling to gain traction. The study investigates the determinants shaping Millennial and Gen Z consumers intention to purchase organic food and segment them into categories based on their consumption motivation. Data from 340 Indian consumers were gathered via a structured questionnaire using a purposive sampling technique. To analyze the conceptual model and validate the hypotheses, structured equation modelling was employed. Green attitude, subjective knowledge, health consciousness and environmental concern have significant positive influence on purchase intention. Moreover, the impact of environmental concern and health consciousness on purchase intention were significantly mediated by green attitudes and subjective knowledge. This study is pioneering in examining the influence of health consciousness and environmental concern on subjective knowledge towards organic food and also in examining the mediating effect of subjective knowledge in the relationship between environmental concern, health consciousness and the purchase intention of Millennials and Gen Z consumers within the Indian milieu. Further, millennials and Gen Z consumers are segmented into preventive and therapeutic consumers.
