Syntropy and innovation in agriculture
Abstract
Agriculture is one of the main examples of the interface humankind-nature-technology. However, innovation in agriculture has often been associated to only one component of this tryptic: technology - in particular its development, use and application. In this paper, we argue that the innovation space in agriculture is migrating from an emphasis in technology, aiming to achieve economic goals related to productivity, to an emphasis on the relationship humankind-nature, aiming for a greater balance between social, economic and environmental goals. This shift is gaining traction in the 21st Century, largely in response to the limits imposed by the Anthropocene. Therefore, many of the various branches of agroecology emerge as important innovations. We examine one in particular, the syntropic agriculture, as a case study of an innovative approach to sustainable farming. We argue that syntropic agriculture is scalable and has had an increasing adoption in Brazil and many other countries. It successfully achieves productivity targets, while promoting succession and regeneration of native ecosystems. This pattern results from the combination of a rationale that blends scientific and traditional knowledge, a practice that resorts to no-impact or low-impact technologies, and a philosophy that perceives humankind and nature as integrated and interdependent.
- Publication:
-
Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability
- Pub Date:
- August 2020
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.cosust.2020.08.003
- Bibcode:
- 2020COES...45...20A