'Sustainable intensification' aims to increase food production from farmland while minimising farming's pressure on the environment. It is a response to the world's increased demand for food, keeping in mind that land, water and energy are in short supply. If we increase and 'intensify' food production, we must also ensure that it is 'sustainable' if we want to continue growing food in the future.
Being clever about the technologies we use is one of the most obvious options. By using technology such as plant breeding and precision agriculture, we can increase the production of our current farms significantly - helping to feed the global population without needing to use up more land for farming. These new technologies also mean that we can reduce our environmental impact.
We already produce enough food in the world today to feed around 10 billion people, but over a third of this food is not eaten - it is lost in transport or wasted by retailers and consumers.
I believe we should focus on natural farming methods to ensure we protect biodiversity and soils, and that we should pay more attention to finding better ways to distribute food and to reduce waste
I care about biodiversity and the environment on my farm and there are lots of different approaches that I could use to manage my crops. I want to find a solution that means I can grow healthy food and run a profitable business while looking after my family, local community and the environment.
Of course, no two farms are the same, so it would be impossible to give the same advice to everyone. is a framework that combines the best of modern tools and technologies with traditional practices. It allows farmers to think about their business in a more connected way - meaning that farmers can make the right choices for their situation.
