Integrated crop management: An approach to sustainable agricultural development

In developing countries, agriculture is being intensified to produce more food and agricultural products. In most agricultural development strategies, the order of priorities is on: (i) increasing yields, (ii) crop protection, and (iii) human health, environmental and social aspects. This sequential rather than integrated approach contributes to many problems related to sustainability in agriculture. Examples of increased problems with soil erosion, secondary salinization and waterlogging, soil nutrient depletion, increased pest problems, public health hazards and environmental pollution illustrate this phenomenon. To improve the present situation, agricultural development strategies should be based on an integration of factors determining the agricultural production potential of a particular zone: the biophysical environment, the land reclamation level, and external input use. Integrated Crop Management and systems analyses can help to put these factors in the best perspective, and to set the priorities for agricultural research and development accordingly. Techniques aimed at sustainability are listed, and their use is discussed in areas with different production potentials. To assess the impact of cropping techniques on the sustainability of agricultural production systems, suggestions are made for the monitoring of selected physical, chemical and biotic characteristics of agro-ecosystems.