Can we really call agriculture sustainable if the farmers who produce our food cannot build a sustainable livelihood from it? I've seen sustainable agriculture discussed in many ways, but after working with farmers, this is how I understand it.
There are many concepts and frameworks for sustainable agriculture, and we can name and define them in different ways. But for me, these concepts are essentially tools that help program owners define their main focus and translate their objectives into practical approaches in the field.
At the same time, a sustainable agriculture framework can help program owners identify the most appropriate target areas, considering factors such as region, climate, environmental conditions, farming systems, and local communities. Alternatively, if the location has already been determined, the concept can guide program owners in deciding which sustainability approaches are most relevant and suitable for that particular context. Although there are many different sustainable agriculture concepts, their fundamental approaches and objectives are often quite similar. Whether the primary focus is increasing productivity, improving soil health, protecting the environment, or strengthening resilience, these elements cannot really be separated from one to another. They need to be considered as part of one integrated system.
For example, increasing productivity should go together with soil conservation, organic or appropriate and sustainable inputs, a healthy environment, biodiversity, water management, climate resilience, and responsible farming practices. Higher productivity alone does not necessarily mean agriculture is sustainable if it is achieved at the expense of soil health, the environment, or the long-term capacity of farmers. However, the most important point for me is that sustainability is not only about soil, the environment, or even better production. Sustainability must also ensure that farmers are not left behind by the supply chain.
A sustainable agricultural system should create a fair and inclusive value chain, where farmers receive a fair return for their efforts, have access to knowledge, resources, markets, and opportunities, and are able to improve their livelihoods over the long term. Ultimately, the prosperity and well-being of farmers and their families should be at the heart of sustainable agriculture. If farmers cannot make a decent living, if their families remain vulnerable, or if the economic benefits of the value chain are distributed unfairly, then I would question whether the agricultural system can truly be called sustainable.
For me, therefore, sustainable agriculture is about creating a balance between productive farms, healthy ecosystems, resilient communities, and a fair supply chain. The environment must be protected, production must be improved, and the supply chain must be strengthened—but farmers and their families must remain at the center of the system.
Environment → Farm → Farmer → Family → Community → Value Chain
For me, these elements are interconnected. The environment provides the foundation for farming, the farm provides the means for the farmer to generate a livelihood, and the farmer becomes the bridge between environmental sustainability and economic sustainability. When the farmer and the farm are sustainable, this should contribute to the well-being of the family, the resilience of the community, and ultimately a stronger and fairer value chain.
“For me, sustainability is not sustainable if the farmer is not sustainable.”
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