Introduction
Contents
- Introduction
- Editor’s Choice
- What is Sustainable Agriculture?
- Beginning Farmers Statistics
- Sustainable Agriculture Producers and Farms by ethnicity and Race
- Facts About Sustainable Agriculture
- Career in Sustainable Agriculture Statistics
- Sustainable Agriculture Practices
- Sustainable Farming Demographic Statistics
- Skills in Sustainable Agriculture
- Conclusion
Sustainable Agriculture Statistics: Sustainable farming is all about growing food in a good way for the planet, helping farmers make a living, and supporting local communities. With climate change, a rising global population, and limited natural resources, more people focus on eco-friendly farming methods. Stats on sustainable agriculture show how much progress is being made, how the environment is affected, and help shape smart decisions and spending.
These numbers highlight how farmers use organic techniques, cutting back on water and chemical use, improving soil quality, and using new tools and technology to grow food more responsibly and efficiently. We shall shed enough light on Sustainable Agriculture Statistics through this article.
Editor’s Choice
- Sustainable Agriculture Statistics stated that around 40% of people worldwide work in farming, making agriculture the biggest source of jobs on the planet.
- Sustainable farming goes against the idea of factory-style food production.
- Organic farming may need 2.5x more labor than regular farming, but it can earn 10x more profit.
- In contrast, 88% of corn and 94% of soybeans grown in 2011 were genetically changed—this was under 20% in 1996.
- Right now, the country is working on low-carbon farming and more green solutions and aims to achieve 100% safe practices for the environment and people’s health by 2030.
- Organic farming has been rising in New Zealand since the early 2000s, and it’s still growing.
- As more people learn about its benefits, organic sales have gone up. In 2020, New Zealand shoppers spent about $723 million on organic items.
- That’s up from just $32 million in 2000, before a national inquiry questioned the use of genetic modification.
What is Sustainable Agriculture?
- Sustainable farming means growing food and producing materials like cotton in ways that meet today’s needs without hurting future generations’ ability to meet theirs. It often relies on understanding how nature supports farming, such as healthy soil and clean water.
- There are many ways to make farming more sustainable. To build long-lasting food systems, farms also need flexible business models and smarter farming methods.
- Farming has a big impact on the environment. It’s one of the main causes of climate change—food systems are behind about 33% of the artificial greenhouse gas emissions.
- It also contributes to problems like water shortages, pollution, soil damage, and deforestation. At the same time, these environmental changes affect farming.
- Sustainable farming uses eco-friendly methods that grow crops or raise animals without harming people or nature.
- This means protecting soil, water, plants, animals, and nearby communities, including those who live or work on or near farms.
- Sustainable techniques include permaculture, agroforestry, mixed farming, planting different crops in the same space, and regularly rotating crops.
Beginning Farmers Statistics
(Reference: zerocarbon-analytics.org)
- The average age of new farmers is 1 years, about 11 years younger than the average age of all U.S. farmers.
- Young producers manage about 105 million acres, which equals around 12% of the country’s total farmland.
- Like national patterns, most young farmers operate on farms between 10 and 49 acres.
- The total farmland where at least one owner or operator is a beginning farmer or rancher slightly increased, from 4 million to 196.5 million acres.
- Sustainable Agriculture Statistics stated that almost 33,000 farms owned or rented by new producers also increased.
- Rhode Island, Alaska, and Maine have the highest percentages of new farmers. In Rhode Island, about 41% of all farmers have worked in agriculture for less than 10 years.
Sustainable Agriculture Producers and Farms by ethnicity and Race
(Reference: sustainableagriculture.net)
Hispanic (any race) | 112,379 |
American Indian/Alaska Native |
56,203 |
Asian |
22,788 |
Black |
41,807 |
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander |
3,419 |
More than one race |
30,564 |
- Sustainable Agriculture Statistics stated that 2 million producers are white, 95% of the United States’ total.
- 96% of the farms in the United States stated that at least one producer was white.
Facts About Sustainable Agriculture
- The seeds and traits category is expected to grow most, making up about 45.34% of the market by 2035.
- The bio stimulants segment is also set to grow quickly, with a strong 13.23% yearly growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period.
- According to our analysis of the sustainable farming market, the cereals and grains group will lead with the largest share, over 50.56%, in the next 10 years. This is mainly due to the high global demand for basic foods like rice, wheat, and corn from grains.
(Source: erp-information.com)
- At the same time, the fruits and vegetables segment is expected to grow the fastest, with an annual growth rate of about 13.98%.
- Regarding sustainable agriculture technologies, the organic farming sector is projected to take the lead, with 35.65% of the market by 2035.
- It’s also worth pointing out that regenerative agriculture is expected to grow fastest, with a CAGR of around 14.67% during the forecast period.
(Source: erp-information.com)
- Regarding product types, the liquid formulation group will likely dominate with a 70.65% market share over the coming years.
- Sustainable Agriculture Statistics stated that the dry formulation category is expected to grow more quickly, with a 12.67% annual growth rate.
- From a global view of the sustainable farming market, the food production section is forecasted to have the biggest share, about 30.78%, during this time.
- The bioenergy sector, on the other hand, is set to grow the fastest, with a CAGR of around 12.49%.
- Large companies are expected to take up 60.34% of the sustainable farming market when comparing business sizes.
- However, small and medium-sized businesses are expected to grow faster, with a 12.25% CAGR through 2035.
Career in Sustainable Agriculture Statistics
- Conservation Scientists – These experts work to protect natural resources like land, animals, and plants. They also help farmers use eco-friendly farming methods. The typical yearly salary is about $63,000.
- Farm Managers run farm operations, including planting crops, harvesting, watering fields, and maintaining farming tools and machines. Their average yearly income is around $71,000.
- Agronomists—Also known as plant experts, agronomists help improve crop growth and make soil healthier to support long-term farming. The usual yearly pay is about $71,000.
Sustainable Agriculture Practices
(Reference: researchgate.net)
Sustainable Agriculture Practices | Number of farmers |
Alley Cropping |
4 |
Fallow Management |
5 |
Ridge Till |
6 |
Reforestation |
7 |
Poly Culture Farming |
9 |
Mulching |
12 |
Precision Agriculture |
12 |
Biological Pest Control |
16 |
Multi-species Grazing |
17 |
Crop/Livestock Production System Integration |
17 |
Windbreaks and Shelterbelts |
18 |
Cultural Pest Control |
19 |
Integrated Pest Management |
19 |
Varietal Mixture of the Same Crops |
21 |
Local or Native Crops |
21 |
Forest Stewardship |
23 |
Increasing Biological Diversity |
24 |
Crop and Livestock Diversification |
26 |
Conservation Tillage |
30 |
Land Reforms |
30 |
Composing |
30 |
Animal For Land Reclamation |
33 |
Improved Water Management |
34 |
Sprayer Calibration and Accuracy |
43 |
Farm Machinery Adjustment |
43 |
Crop Rotation |
45 |
Cover Cropping/Green Manuring |
51 |
Reduced Chemical Fertilizer Use |
65 |
Controlled Grazing |
70 |
Reduced Chemical Pesticide Use |
71 |
Manure Distribution as Fertilizer |
74 |
Sustainable Farming Demographic Statistics
- The average age of today’s new farmers is 3, which is about 10 years younger than that of more seasoned farmers.
- These beginner farmers usually manage smaller farms, typically covering 10 to 50 acres, with lower overall production value.
- Sustainable Agriculture Statistics stated that roughly 70% of farmers own their farms and run the daily operations, while around 11% reported leasing or renting the farmland.
Skills in Sustainable Agriculture
(Source: mdpi.com)
- Business planning/model and strategic management
- Every day, the use of digital technology to communicate
- Communication
- Mitigation and adaptation to climate change
- By-products and co-products valorisation
- Good Agriculture Practices
- Sustainable forest management practices and planning
- Organisation, planning, visioning and strategy planning.
- The effectiveness of the use of resources and logistics
- Data handling and analysis
Conclusion
Sustainable farming focuses on growing food to protect the planet and ensure future generations can do the same. It uses natural methods, reduces harmful chemicals, and helps clean the soil, water, and air. This farming also supports local jobs, produces healthier food, and helps reduce hunger over time.
As more farmers, shoppers, and governments choose sustainable practices, we can build a healthier world with long-term food security and stronger local economies. This article has shed enough light on Sustainable Agriculture Statistics.