Global agriculture and the challenge of sustainability

This chapter addresses the nature of agricultural approaches in post-conflict situations as they relate to sustainability of the natural resource base. The recovery of agriculture after conflict comprises a complex mix of challenges: Those of agricultural development combined with those dealing with the impacts of conflict. The three pillars of sustainable agriculture are generally considered to be economic, social and environmental, with each one being interrelated and requiring attention. In conventional industrial and Green Revolution agriculture, however, the economic dimension has tended to take priority, and environmental or natural resource dimensions have been considered as secondary or non-essential. In post-conflict situations, taking an agroecological approach would encourage localization of resource management, a broader and more diverse range of local opportunities, and a more localized food security system. The theoretical training included: Current challenges to agriculture, practical training on agroecological techniques for soil fertility, mixed cropping, seed conservation, farmers’ cooperatives, and transfer of technology from farmer to farmer.