What is one of the primary goals of sustainable agriculture?

One of the primary goals of sustainable agriculture is environmental health. This approach emphasizes practices that maintain or improve the health of ecosystems, soil quality, and biodiversity over the long term. Sustainable agriculture seeks to minimize negative impacts on the environment by promoting practices like crop rotation, organic farming, and reduced use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These practices help in conserving resources, protecting wildlife habitats, and enhancing soil health, contributing to a more resilient agricultural system that can sustain production while also ensuring the well-being of the planet.

In contrast, maximizing profit typically focuses on short-term financial gains without considering environmental impacts. Increasing industrial farming often entails practices that can degrade environmental health, such as monocultures and heavy reliance on chemical inputs. Limiting crop diversity can lead to vulnerabilities in the agricultural system, making it more susceptible to pests and diseases, and negatively impacting environmental resilience.