Agriculture & Horticulture

Agricultural Extension & Sustaining Practices

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Sustainable agriculture concentrates on three main objectives: environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. Sustainability rests on the principle that we must meet the needs of the present demands without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Therefore, stewardship of both natural and human resources is of prime importance. Human resources includes consideration of social responsibilities such as working and living conditions of labors, the needs of rural communities, and consumer health and safety both in the present and the future. A systems approach also implies interdisciplinary efforts in research and education. This requires not only the input of researchers from various disciplines, but also farmers, farmworkers, consumers, policymakers and others.

Agricultural extension is a general term meaning the application of scientific research and new knowledge to agricultural practices through farmer education and rural development programs. The field of 'extension' deals with communication and learning activities organized for rural farmers to expose them to proper knowledge about profitable and sustainable farming system. Extension practitioners can be from different backgrounds including agriculture, market, environment, and health and business studies and usually they work for government agencies. They are represented by several government and non-government organizations, networks and extension journals. Agricultural extension agencies in developing countries receive large amounts of support from international development organizations such as the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.