According to a new study published in the journal Science, promoting crop and livestock diversity and soil conservation strategies provides important social and environmental benefits. The findings by researchers at Denmark’s University of Copenhagen suggest that well-designed policies to incentivize the adoption of multiple diversification strategies could mitigate some of the effects of “simplified” agriculture.
The researchers state that simplified agriculture, which they define as intensively managed monocultures, have negative effects on biodiversity and pollution.
The study titled, Joint environmental and social benefits from diversified agriculture, states, “Our interdisciplinary analysis spanning a wide array of regions provides convincing evidence that agricultural diversification is a promising win-win strategy for providing social and environmental benefits.”
Agricultural lands tend to be simplified ecosystems designed to efficiently produce specific crops or livestock. According to the publication Sentient Food, simplified systems are advantageous because “farmers don’t have to have multiple types of farming equipment or methods, which brings costs down. This streamlines many aspects of farm life, and enables farmers to use their time more efficiently.”
However, the Copenhagen researchers argue that “this transformation of the landscape — particularly in developing regions — continues to grow at the expense of more diversified agriculture.” They believe this contributes to increased use of synthetic chemicals and water, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss.
They also say that biologically diversified farming approaches — those that intentionally increase the number of agricultural and nonagricultural crop and livestock species — can enable sustainable food production.
However, while the biodiversity benefits of agricultural diversification are widely recognized, the social outcomes — such as yield and labor — are limited. As a result, there are broad tradeoffs, particularly in the United States, between social and environmental outcomes from agricultural diversification.
To better understand the potential tradeoffs and/or synergies of diversified agriculture, Laura Vang Rasmussen and colleagues examined multiple environmental and social outcomes resulting from numerous agricultural diversification strategies used separately and in combination.
Drawing on standardized data from 24 studies in 11 countries across 2,655 farms, Rasmussen and her team said they were able to show that diversification strategies, particularly those focused on livestock diversification and soil conservation, led to positive social (such as human well-being and food security) and environmental (for example, biodiversity, and ecosystem services) outcomes. Moreover, the authors found that applying multiple diversification strategies creates more positive outcomes than individual strategies alone.
The flip side: Challenges and limitations
Just as Martin Scorsese, a master of cinematic drama and storytelling, might struggle to direct a lighthearted superhero movie or a gory slasher flick, farmers who excel in one type of agricultural system may not necessarily succeed in a diversified farming environment. Diversification requires a unique set of skills, knowledge, and resources that not all farmers possess.
It’s not just about adding more elements to the mix; it’s about managing them effectively to create a harmonious and sustainable system. So there is real concern that food security would be impacted.
Managing a diversified agricultural system can be complex and labor-intensive. Farmers need to deeply understand multiple species and their interactions, which can be challenging to manage effectively.
Economic viability also needs to be explored. Diversifying agricultural systems may not always be economically viable, especially for small-scale farmers. Introducing new species or practices can require additional infrastructure, training, and equipment investment, which may not always be feasible.
While the push for agricultural diversification offers promising solutions to the environmental and social challenges of modern farming, it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Like any strategy, diversification comes with its own set of challenges and limitations that need to be carefully considered and managed.
As we navigate the complexities of sustainable agriculture, it’s crucial to approach diversification with a balanced perspective, acknowledging both its potential benefits and pitfalls. After all, just because you’re a good filmmaker in one genre doesn’t mean you’ll be a better (or even adequate) filmmaker if you dabble in other genres.
