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Empowering Crops: How Organic, Agronomic Practices and Technology Can Fortify Our Fields

100%

Hayat M. K., Khan A. R., Klutse S., Rasool M. W., Mohsin M.

World News of Natural Sciences

2025

vol. 59

358-383

Global food security hinges on boosting crop productivity to meet the projected 44% surge in food demand by 2050. Current agricultural systems face significant challenges from both abiotic and biotic stressors. Abiotic factors like drought, heat, and salinity, and biotic factors such as pests, diseases, and weeds, severely limit crop yields. Drought alone can decimate wheat yields by up to 21% and maize yields by a staggering 40%. Healthy soil is paramount for robust crop production. Soil rich in organic matter fosters nutrient uptake, water retention, and beneficial microbial activity, all critical for plant growth. A thriving soil ecosystem supports strong root development, disease resistance, and improved soil structure, enhancing aeration and drainage. Research indicates that soil fertility contributes to as much as 60% of crop yield, highlighting its crucial role. However, climate change, population growth, and resource depletion strain agricultural systems. Water scarcity, pests, diseases, nutrient imbalances, and extreme weather events further threaten crop productivity. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach centered on soil health. Sustainable soil management practices, including cover cropping, reduced tillage, and the use of organic amendments, are essential for restoring and maintaining soil health. These practices improve soil structure, water infiltration, and nutrient cycling, creating a more resilient and productive agricultural system. Precision agriculture, using technologies like remote sensing and GIS, optimizes resource use and crop management. Data analysis of soil, crop, and environmental factors enables targeted interventions and customized input application, maximizing yields and minimizing environmental impact. Integrating precision agriculture with soil health management builds resilient agricultural systems crucial for global food security. This combined approach supports a sustainable agricultural future capable of feeding the growing population while protecting the environment.

Introduction to Organic Agriculture - From Haber-Bosch to Howard: A Century of Agricultural Transformation

84%

Hayat M. K., Khan T. Y., Azam M. A., Imran F., Ifra I., Shan M., Belizaire P. J., Rehman M. N. U., Majeed U., Oumar B.

World News of Natural Sciences

2025

vol. 60

40-64

Agriculture, the science and practice of cultivating plants and raising livestock, has been fundamental to human civilization, enabling the development of sedentary communities and food surpluses. Traditional farming methods, relying on natural practices like crop rotation and composting, gave way to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in the early 1900s, raising concerns about soil health and food safety. The Haber-Bosch process, developed in the early 20th century, revolutionized fertilizer production by synthesizing ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen, significantly boosting agricultural yields. However, visionaries like Sir Albert Howard and Rudolf Steiner advocated for practices mimicking nature's cycles, emphasizing soil health and laying the groundwork for organic agriculture. Conventional agriculture, characterized by mechanization and reliance on synthetic inputs, has greatly increased food production. However, this approach raises concerns about environmental impacts such as soil degradation, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. Studies indicate pesticide use, while boosting crop yields, contaminates food and the environment, posing health risks. In China, agricultural emissions increased by 410 Mt CO2 eq between 2001 and 2018, primarily due to fertilization and irrigation in maize, fruit, and vegetable production. Animal husbandry, another key aspect of agriculture, involves breeding and raising domestic animals for food, fiber, and labor. In India, low livestock productivity necessitates a bottom-up breeding policy and improved market linkages. Aquaculture, the cultivation of aquatic organisms, is increasingly vital for global food supply. Asia dominates global aquaculture, producing over 91% of the world's farmed aquatic animals and plants (102.9 million tonnes in 2017). However, monoculture practices increase disease risk, and chemical use poses environmental risks. Forestry, the management of forests and woodlands, provides timber, fuelwood, wildlife habitat, and clean water. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are crucial for the livelihoods of 275 million poor rural Indians, but overexploitation and deforestation threaten these resources. Sustainable development strategies are needed to balance resource conservation with livelihood needs.

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2 World News of Natural Sciences

2 2025

2 Hayat M. K.

1 Azam M. A.

1 Belizaire P. J.

1 Ifra I.

1 Imran F.

1 Khan A. R.

1 Khan T. Y.

1 Klutse S.

1 Majeed U.

1 Mohsin M.

1 Oumar B.

1 Rasool M. W.

1 Rehman M. N. U.

1 Shan M.

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Empowering Crops: How Organic, Agronomic Practices and Technology Can Fortify Our Fields

Introduction to Organic Agriculture - From Haber-Bosch to Howard: A Century of Agricultural Transformation