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Sustainable agriculture in Canada and Cuba: a comparison

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Abstract

Agriculture-related discussions in climate change research have been largely focused on the effects of a changing environment on agriculture and the possible consequences for global and regional food security. However, from a policy standpoint, it is also essential to address the impact of agriculture and related activities on environmental change. Over the last 50 years, most of the world’s agriculture has transitioned into industrial agriculture that requires greater inputs of fossil-fuel energy, water, synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which have created substantial harmful effects on air, soil, water and biodiversity. Sustainable farming that uses less chemicals and fossil-fuel energy and emphasizes localized production and consumption has come to be viewed as an eco-friendly alternative to modern agriculture. This paper will examine the concept of sustainable agriculture and compare and contrast its practice in Canada and Cuba. The paper will conclude with lessons that the two countries can learn from each other.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policies, SNDT Women’s University, Juhu Campus, Juhu Tara Road, Santacruz (West), Mumbai, 400 049, India

    Vanmala Hiranandani

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  1. Vanmala Hiranandani
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Correspondence to Vanmala Hiranandani.

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Readers should send their comments on this paper to BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.

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Hiranandani, V. Sustainable agriculture in Canada and Cuba: a comparison. Environ Dev Sustain 12, 763–775 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-009-9223-2

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