Agricultural sustainability doesn't depend on agritechnology. To believe it does is to put the emphasis on the wrong bit of 'agriculture.' What sustainability depends on isn't agri- so much as culture.
Interpretation
Agricultural sustainability relies more on cultural practices than on technology.
This quote by Raj Patel emphasizes that true agricultural sustainability comes from cultural practices and values rather than relying solely on technological advancements. It suggests that the heart of sustainable agriculture lies in how communities engage with and respect their agricultural systems, acknowledging the importance of cultural context in achieving sustainability.
In practice
During a conference on environmental practices, one could use this quote to highlight the importance of community values in sustainable farming.
A fertilizer bomb that kills hundreds in Oklahoma. Fuel-laden civil jets that kill 4000 in New York. A sanctions policy that kills one and a half million in Iraq. A trade policy that immiserates continents. You can make a bomb out of anything. The ones on paper hurt the most.
Permissible growth in the future has to be based on sustainable and equitable models.
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Looking at the world through a sustainability lens not only helps us 'future proof' our supply chain, it also fuels innovation and drives brand growth.
Soil mapping is one of the pillars to the challenge of sustainable development
If we grew our own food, we wouldn't waste a third of it as we do today. If we made our own tables and chairs, we wouldn't throw them out the moment we changed the interior decor. If we had to clean our own drinking water, we probably wouldn't contaminate it.
Sustainability makes good business sense, and we're all on the same team at the end of the day. That's the truth about the human condition.
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