• Prohibit the use of synthetic materials such as pesticides, mineral fertilizers,
chemical ingredients, and additives.
• Use natural mechanism and rely on renewable resources to protect the natural
resources.
• Raise animals restricted to areas and guarantee the welfare of the animals.
• Adapt local environment and diversified organization.
• Produce high-quality products.
Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, the development of organic
farming worldwide has shown a strong growth. Almost 23 million ha were managed organically worldwide in 2002. Compared to 2000 this is an increase of
3–1.4 %. The total world retail sales of organic products reached US$25 billion in
2002, which increased by 42.9 % compared to 2000 (Yussefi et al. 2003). Organic
agriculture is practiced in almost all countries of the world, and its share of
agricultural land and farms is growing (Scialabba and Hattaam 2002). The market
for organic products is growing, not only in the major markets like Europe, North
America, and Japan, but also in many other countries, including developing
countries (Foster and Lampkin 2000; UNCTAD/WTO 2001; Lin 2003).
1.5 What Is the Necessity of Current and Future
Agriculture
Agriculture currently appropriates a substantial portion of the Earth’s natural
resources. Land used for crop production, pasture, and livestock grazing systems
amounts to 38 % of total land area (Wood et al. 2000; Spiertz 2010). Population
growth and expanding demand for agricultural commodities constantly increase
the pressure on scarce land and natural resources (Schade and Pimentel 2010). The
drop in cropland in relation to population is very evident. Until the middle of the
twentieth century, available cropland was of the order of 0.45 ha per person; by
1997 it had reduced by almost a factor of 2 resulting in 0.25 and the projection for
2050 is 0.15 ha per person (Lumpkin 2010). The question is whether we can
produce enough food, feed, fiber, and fuel to meet the needs of a 50 % larger
global population in 2050 in a sustainable manner. Cassman et al. (2003) concluded that ‘‘avoiding expansion of cultivation into natural ecosystems, increased
N-use efficiency, and improved soil quality are pivotal components of a sustainable agriculture that meets human needs and protects natural resources.’’ More
resources are required for meeting the demands of the growing human population.
Recent studies by Tilman et al. (2002) indicated that significant systems
improvements and efficiency gains in agriculture are needed worldwide in the next
decades, to be able to feed the increasing global population and at the same time to
circumvent large-scale degradation of natural ecosystems and deterioration of
ecosystem services through agricultural activities. The sustainability framework,
comprising the balance between short-term and long-term objectives with respect
12
L. Garcia-Mier et al.
chemical ingredients, and additives.
• Use natural mechanism and rely on renewable resources to protect the natural
resources.
• Raise animals restricted to areas and guarantee the welfare of the animals.
• Adapt local environment and diversified organization.
• Produce high-quality products.
Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, the development of organic
farming worldwide has shown a strong growth. Almost 23 million ha were managed organically worldwide in 2002. Compared to 2000 this is an increase of
3–1.4 %. The total world retail sales of organic products reached US$25 billion in
2002, which increased by 42.9 % compared to 2000 (Yussefi et al. 2003). Organic
agriculture is practiced in almost all countries of the world, and its share of
agricultural land and farms is growing (Scialabba and Hattaam 2002). The market
for organic products is growing, not only in the major markets like Europe, North
America, and Japan, but also in many other countries, including developing
countries (Foster and Lampkin 2000; UNCTAD/WTO 2001; Lin 2003).
1.5 What Is the Necessity of Current and Future
Agriculture
Agriculture currently appropriates a substantial portion of the Earth’s natural
resources. Land used for crop production, pasture, and livestock grazing systems
amounts to 38 % of total land area (Wood et al. 2000; Spiertz 2010). Population
growth and expanding demand for agricultural commodities constantly increase
the pressure on scarce land and natural resources (Schade and Pimentel 2010). The
drop in cropland in relation to population is very evident. Until the middle of the
twentieth century, available cropland was of the order of 0.45 ha per person; by
1997 it had reduced by almost a factor of 2 resulting in 0.25 and the projection for
2050 is 0.15 ha per person (Lumpkin 2010). The question is whether we can
produce enough food, feed, fiber, and fuel to meet the needs of a 50 % larger
global population in 2050 in a sustainable manner. Cassman et al. (2003) concluded that ‘‘avoiding expansion of cultivation into natural ecosystems, increased
N-use efficiency, and improved soil quality are pivotal components of a sustainable agriculture that meets human needs and protects natural resources.’’ More
resources are required for meeting the demands of the growing human population.
Recent studies by Tilman et al. (2002) indicated that significant systems
improvements and efficiency gains in agriculture are needed worldwide in the next
decades, to be able to feed the increasing global population and at the same time to
circumvent large-scale degradation of natural ecosystems and deterioration of
ecosystem services through agricultural activities. The sustainability framework,
comprising the balance between short-term and long-term objectives with respect
12
L. Garcia-Mier et al.