Green Horizons: Steering Global Agriculture Toward a Sustainable Future

Redacción HC
24/09/2025

As the global population continues to climb, the way we produce food stands at a historic crossroads. Agriculture must meet growing demand without worsening soil degradation, water scarcity, or greenhouse gas emissions. The scientific article “Green horizons: navigating the future of agriculture through sustainable practices” (Dönmez et al., 2024) provides a comprehensive review of strategies, technologies, and policies that can lead to more resilient, profitable, and equitable farming systems.

Published in Sustainability, this work synthesizes decades of research and offers an integrated vision for policymakers, farmers, and scientists. Below, we expand on the study’s key findings with current examples and insights that highlight the urgency of accelerating the shift toward sustainable agricultural practices.

Global Challenges for Sustainable Agriculture

Food security is under threat from climate change, biodiversity loss, and the overuse of chemical inputs. The study stresses that isolated technical fixes are not enough: a systemic approach is needed, one that takes into account historical, economic, and social factors that shape the adoption of sustainable practices.

In Latin America, regions such as the Amazon and the Andean foothills face intense pressures from deforestation and agricultural expansion. Agroforestry projects in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil show how integrating trees into cropping systems not only conserves biodiversity but also increases rural household income.

Proven Practices and Benefits

According to Dönmez and colleagues (2024), practices such as agroforestry, crop rotation, polyculture diversification, and integrated pest management not only protect soil health but also enhance biodiversity and sustain productivity over the long term compared to intensive conventional systems.

Studies cited in the article reveal that crop rotation improves soil water retention and reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers. Integrated pest management cuts pesticide use and supports the ecological resilience of agricultural landscapes.

Technology’s Role: From Precision Agriculture to Nanotechnology

Digital technologies—including sensors, remote sensing, and precision agriculture—allow farmers to optimize the use of inputs such as water and fertilizers. Nanotechnology, meanwhile, offers new possibilities for controlled nutrient release. Yet, high costs, limited infrastructure, and the need for training restrict widespread adoption, particularly among smallholders.

A critical challenge is ensuring that technological progress does not deepen inequalities. The authors emphasize the need for public policies that provide affordable credit and extension services while incorporating local knowledge to make these innovations accessible.

Social and Economic Dimensions: Equity in the Countryside

Sustainability is not only about ecology and technology; it also demands social equity and economic viability. Models such as community-supported agriculture (CSA) and local food markets strengthen small farmers’ financial stability.

The article warns that the aging rural population and the lack of generational renewal are structural barriers to adopting sustainable practices. Encouraging youth to remain in farming through financial support, training, and market access is vital for the continuity of sustainable agricultural systems.

Scaling Up Through Policy

While sustainable practices have demonstrated positive effects on small and medium scales, scaling them to national or global levels remains challenging. Regulatory hurdles, financing gaps, and limited knowledge-sharing slow progress.

The authors recommend coordinated public policies, investments in agricultural extension, and payments for ecosystem services to reward farmers who conserve biodiversity or capture carbon. They also propose integrating environmental metrics into public food procurement programs to favor regenerative practices.

A Call to Action

Sustainable agriculture is not a one-size-fits-all technical package but an adaptive strategy tailored to each geographic and socio-economic context. Governments, communities, and the private sector must collaborate to design incentives that speed up the transition.

Policymakers should prioritize long-term financing, crop insurance, and technical training. Farmers can start by adopting soil management techniques and crop diversification to strengthen resilience to extreme weather.

Topics of interest

Biodiversity