Resumen de Necessary new approaches towards sustainable agriculture: innovations for organic agriculture
Food production is one of the most pressing issues for a sustainable development (SD). Instead of mainstream paths like the utilisation of insect protein, highly efficient soilless hydroponics, aquaculture or precision agriculture, this article focusses on various approaches of organic agriculture. Organic Agriculture is subject to both scientific and non-academic research as well as commercial application. In many case studies, it has been demonstrated that organic agriculture can be productive, economic and able to reduce the carbon footprint of food. However, its comprehensive applicability and suitability to feed the world is still subject to both scientific and political debates. This article does not intend to adjudicate on this general question, but wants to shift the perspective on organic agriculture and highlight challenges and what we regard as some of the next necessary innovations. We understand SD as a continuous process of seeking inter- and intra-generationally fair and justifiable solutions within the �safe and just space for humanity�. The general suitability of organic agriculture as a tool towards SD is already proven. Yet the gradual improvement of organic agriculture and its mainstreaming by food labelling and law, we shall argue, are not sufficient in the endeavour towards SD in food production. New ideas need to be included into research and tested as additional and maybe alternative paths. This article introduces the concepts of: (1) stockfree/vegan-organic farming; (2) Terra Preta techniques for soil fertility; and (3) featured biodiversity approaches as a quality marker for agriculture. They are discussed with respect to their potential to combat the loss of biodiversity, unsustainable land use change and soil degradation. These issues are relevant challenges for humankind and intergenerational justice not only in the realm of agricultural ethics.
