PATHWAYS WRI Sustainable Agriculture Don S. Doering January 3, 2001 PATHWAYS Creating sustainable business one leader at a time. Sustainability and Agriculture Global Trends Agrobiodiversity Sustainable Agriculture Vision Outputs Inputs Impacts Economics Management Industry Role

PATHWAYS WRI Agriculture and Sustainability Ecological Environmental soundness Ecological health/integrity Natural resource management Renewable inputs Economic Food security Economic viability Agricultural productivity Policy support Social Empower rural poor Social equity Healthy and safe for people Public participation Scope

PATHWAYS WRI Extent of Agriculture Why sustainable agriculture?

PATHWAYS WRI Land Degradation Why sustainable agriculture?

PATHWAYS WRI Growing Demand for Water Developed Developing Why sustainable agriculture?

PATHWAYS WRI Share of Increase in Global Demand Cereals Meat Products 690 million ton increase (39%) 115 million ton increase (58%)

PATHWAYS WRI KEY Condition Changing Capacity Environmental Scorecard

PATHWAYS WRI What is a Sustainable Agriculture Vision? zOutputs zImpacts zInputs zEconomics zManagement

PATHWAYS WRI Sustainable Ag Vision zEveryone, including the poor, will have access to sufficient, nutritious food. zThe food system production will balance demand at acceptable prices. zConsumers will eat healthy diets that focus on grain and vegetables. zAgriculture will be a significant supplier of energy, paper, and industrial feedstock. zAgrobiodiversity System outputs

PATHWAYS WRI Life on Earth zBiodiversity is the totality of genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity. zProtection, conservation and renewal of biodiversity recognizes the essential role in which the interactions of genes, species, and ecosystems play in generating and maintaining diversity. zOur future survival and the future quality of human life on earth is dependent upon biodiversity. What is biodiversity?

PATHWAYS WRI Conceptual View of Agrobiodiversity zMixed agroecosystems zCrop species and varieties zLivestock and fish species zPlant and animal germplasm zSoil organisms in cultivated areas zInsects and fungi that benefit production zWild species from off-farm habitats zCultural and local knowledge of diversity Agrobiodiversity BIODIVERSITY Biodiversity  Synergy  Dynamics  Enhancement Conservation and regeneration  Adaptation and Innovation

PATHWAYS WRI Sustainable Ag Vision zAgriculture will not deplete the natural resource base nor overwhelm ecosystems’ capacity to recover from pollution and use. zAgriculture will promote equitable access to productive resources and opportunities. zAgriculture will increase self-reliance of farmers and rural communities. System impacts

PATHWAYS WRI Sustainable Ag Vision zLess land and water will be needed. zUse of external and non-renewable inputs that may harm the environment or people are minimized. zPesticides are a last resort and break down into harmless components. zPlant nutrients are applied to meet crop requirements precisely and without losses. zPlants are more customized for culture methods, climate zones, soil types and pest threats. System inputs

PATHWAYS WRI Sustainable Ag Vision zAgroecological approaches in which production is part of a larger ecosystem of nutrient cycles and ecological services. zPests and soil quality are managed through biological and cultural control mechanisms. zFarmers will have deep knowledge of their local agroecosystem and its best practices. zInformation technologies will lead to optimal resource management. zWeather forecasting will be more precise and accurate over longer periods of time. System management

PATHWAYS WRI Sustainable Ag Vision zLong term decline of crop prices; the poor to spend less on their food. zRural economies will be less dependent on agriculture and they will be more diverse. zAgriculture will be independent of government subsidies. zFarming becomes more knowledge intensive zNew businesses emerge to finance, insure, sell crops, manage pests, and conserve resources. zEconomic signals will support conservation. System economics

PATHWAYS WRI Sustainability Threats - U.S.

PATHWAYS WRI Sustainable Ag & Industry zOutputs zImpacts zInputs zEconomics zManagement zIndustry Role in Specific Issues & Markets? zTechnology Role in Specific Issues & Markets? What is missing from the prior description?

PATHWAYS WRI Ideas into Action zCreate a vision of sustainable agriculture zCommunicate business value of ecological, economic, and social issues. zMove from global descriptions to specific regional and farming practice descriptions and to system solutions zCreate an agenda for industrial sectors zRole of multi-national agro-chemical/biotech companies zRole of technology zRole and priorities for biotechnology How do we translate vision to business value?

PATHWAYS WRI Don S. Doering World Resources Institute I gratefully acknowledge the financial support of: The Surdna, Joyce and Olin Foundations & WRI’s Corporate Council and Partners and the support and contributions of my colleagues in WRI’s Management Institute for Environment & Business

PATHWAYS WRI Terms of Use Pathways is provided to help foster environmentally sound and socially equitable economic development. We request your compliance with the following terms of use: zAll materials contained in Pathways modules are believed to be property of World Resources Institute or to be in the public domain. zThe opinions and analysis contained herein is that of the authors and editors. zOriginal sources are credited on the slides or in the notes to the best of our knowledge; please bring errors or omission of citation to our immediate attention. zPlease credit original materials to World Resources Institute. zMaterials may be copied and edited and revised for internal company use and for non-commercial, educational purposes. zFor commercial or other use of materials, please contact Don S. Doering at or (202)