The role of sustainable agriculture in production of nutrient dense food

Abstract

Industrialization of agriculture, as the main food source, resolved the problem of food quantity, but other problems, present in environment degradation and hidden malnutrition (deficiency in essential minerals and vitamins) were upraised. The situation is aggravating when climate change was taken into account, whereas conventional agriculture is highly contributing to climate change. Thus, a shift to sustainability paradigm and systems are a necessary solution. Sustainable systems combine various measures to achieve a high and nutrient dense yield of agricultural crops and to preserve or improve agro ecosystem. Soil recovery could be realized by increasing soil organic matter, diversity of soil microbiota and other organisms, as a part of the agro ecosystem balance, thus contributing to the increased productivity and food quality. Together, sustainable agriculture and sustainable food systems, have an important role in the health enhancement of humankind and the agro ecosystem.