Figures
1.1 Three pillars of sustainability: integrating social, environmental, and economic well-being 2
1.2 Key aspects of agriculture sustainability 3
1.3 Key principles of Low-Input Sustainable Agriculture (LISA) 4
1.4 Low-Input Sustainable Agriculture (LISA): a crucial approach to global food security and environmental resilience 6
1.5 Core principles and practices of sustainable agriculture 8
1.6 Core concepts and techniques of Low-Input Sustainable Agriculture (LISA) 16
2.1 Key challenges and threats to agricultural resources in Pakistan 24
2.2 Effects of climate change on agriculture 45
3.1 Soil, water, and environmental management in sustainable agriculture 51
3.2 Interactions between agriculture and the environment 66
3.3 Key mitigation strategies for soil health and erosion control 68
3.4 Mitigation strategies for integrated pest management 70
3.5 Mitigation strategies for sustainable water management 74
4.1 Strategies for sustaining soil resources and promoting soil health 83
4.2 Soil fertility management and nutrient cycling practices 88
5.1 Core principles of organic farming 104
5.2 Mechanisms by which organic farming practices contribute to Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) accumulation 110
6.1 Major global soil threats 128
6.2 Factors contributing to soil sealing 141
7.1 Impact of soil amendments on soil health and sustainability 168
7.2 Benefits of compost production and utilization 172
8.1 Global water challenges and their impact on people and ecosystems 196
8.2 Key strategies for sustainable dryland agriculture 207
9.1 Factors affecting crop water requirements 225
9.2 Strategies for enhancing water use efficiency 238
10.1 Forms of agricultural pollution 253
10.2 Effects of agricultural pollution on environmental sustainability 254
11.1 Environmental challenges of chemical fertilizers 269
11.2 Principles of nutrient management in sustainable agriculture 271
11.3 Factors affecting fertilizer use efficiency in Pakistan 282
12.1 Characteristics and strategies of resilient cropping systems 292
12.2 Characteristics of exhaustive and restorative cropping systems 307
12.3 Key principles of conservation agriculture 318
12.4 Ten key elements of agroecology according to the FAO 330
13.1 The role of technology in diversifying cropping patterns 339
13.2 Importance of multiple cropping in agroecology 348
14.1 The role of sustainable livestock management in food security 381
14.2 The role of sustainable livestock management in climate change mitigation 390
14.3 Benefits of integration of livestock and crop production systems 392
15.1 The role of precision agriculture in sustainable crop production 403
15.2 The role of precision agriculture in climate change adaptation 423
16.1 Key aspects of solar farming 436
16.2 Challenges and considerations in solar farming 448
16.3 The role of solar farming in food security in developing countries 461
17.1 Impacts of climate change on agriculture 473
17.2 Climate change impacts on food security and nutrition 479
18.1 Key aspects of environmental sustainability in circular agriculture 502
18.2 Key principles of circular economy 514
19.1 Strengths of the Pakistan agriculture system 534
19.2 Weaknesses of the Pakistan agriculture system 536
20.1 Future challenges in sustainable agriculture 569
20.2 Opportunities in sustainable agriculture 575
Tables
1.1 Principles of sustainable agriculture 7
1.2 Concepts and techniques of Low-Input Sustainable Agriculture (LISA) 14
2.1 Climate change impacts and adaptation strategies for agriculture in Pakistan 43
3.1 Managing soil, water, and the environment for sustainable agriculture 52
4.1 Preserving soil health through conservation and nutrient management 80
5.1 Organic farming and soil health: principles and implementation 101
6.1 Mitigating soil threats and strategies for sustainable soil management 123
6.2 Different components of sandy, loamy, and clay soils 125
7.1 Organic amendments and waste recycling for soil enrichment 163
7.2 Advantages of recycling organic wastes in agriculture 180
8.1 Water management techniques for sustainable agriculture 189
8.2 Significance of dryland agriculture for the globe and Pakistan 203
9.1 Crop water requirements based on ET and Kc 222
9.2 Water requirement (mm/season) of different crops along with critical growth stages of water application 224
9.3 Key aspects of Water Use Efficiency (WUE) across various crops, including the WUE values, typical yield, and notes on improving WUE 228
9.4 Factors contributing to Low Water Use Efficiency (WUE) in Pakistan 230
9.5 Strategies to enhance Water Use Efficiency (WUE) 233
10.1 Mitigating agricultural pollutants and strategies for environmental protection 247
11.1 Environmental challenges of chemical fertilizers 266
11.2 Strategies to improve Fertilizer Use Efficiency (FUE) 283
12.1 Key components of a cropping system 293
12.2 Examples of agroecology 322
13.1 Role of diversifying cropping patterns in sustainable agriculture 341
13.2 Importance of multiple cropping for sustainable agriculture 352
14.1 Sustainable livestock practices that enhance food security 383
16.1 Applications of solar technology in agriculture 443
16.2 Solar farming and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 454
17.1 Impacts of climate change on agriculture 471
17.2 Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices 484
18.1 Key aspects of environmental sustainability in circular agriculture 508
18.2 Circular economy principles in agriculture 515
19.1 Strengths and weaknesses of the Pakistan agriculture system 533
19.2 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relation to global sustainability 541
20.1 Future challenges and opportunities in sustainable agriculture 564