Page 28 - STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTUR AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE PERIOD 2021-2030 AND VISION TO 2050

07. What is “green agriculture”?

Global agriculture has begun to witness a dramatic transformation
of the so-called agriculture greening approach. Accordingly,
agriculture has transitioned from brown agriculture (resource-
intensive, overuse of input materials, inefficient use of resources,
unsustainable production processes, inefficient management, use
and treatment of by-products and wastes) to green agriculture
(effective use of resources and inputs, application of sustainable
standards in production, ensuring food safety, low carbon, reducing
pollution of air, land, water, GHG reduction and biodiversity
conservation).

Conceptually, Candice Stevens (2011)
defines green agriculture as the ability to provide
products and services in an economically efficient
and environmentally sustainable manner,
ensuring food security. Agricultural production
activities are closely linked with the use of forest,
land, water and aquatic resources, so green
growth in agriculture also means economical
and efficient use of resources, contributing
to economic growth and environmental
sustainability. According to the Organization
for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) (2010), green agriculture is a way of
agricultural development which maximizes the
opportunity to exploit clean resources, leading
to a sustainable-growth agriculture model
associated with environmental protection.
According to the United Nations Environment
Program (UNEP, 2012), green agriculture
is more broadly understood. It is a way of
developing agriculture based on ecology and
biodiversity, providing opportunities to diversify
the economy, reduce poverty through increased
productivity, and create new “green” jobs,
especially in rural areas. Green agriculture also
helps ensure food security on a sustainable
basis, significantly reducing environmental and
agricultural economic costs.
2828 Guidelines for the Strategy for sustainable agriculture and rural development
Guidelines for the Strategy for sustainable agriculture and rural development
in the period 2021-2030, and vision to 2050
in the period 2021-2030, and vision to 2050