In the face of escalating environmental challenges and growing concerns about food security, the agricultural industry is at a critical juncture. Conventional farming practices deplete natural resources, pollute the environment, and contribute to climate change. This unsustainable approach is jeopardizing the future of agriculture and endangering the well-being of communities worldwide. To address these pressing issues, an urgent need for transformative solutions that promote sustainability and resilience in agriculture. Emerging Technologies and Marketing Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture offers a compelling solution to the agricultural industry's challenges. The book demonstrates the transformative power of sustainable agriculture and marketing by showcasing inspiring case studies and innovative approaches worldwide. It provides practical insights and strategies for creating a more sustainable and resilient food system, empowering farmers, policymakers, educators, and consumers to make informed decisions and take action towards a more sustainable future.

"The book has a primary objective of highlighting the significance of sustainable agriculture in addressing the environmental impacts commonly associated with conventional farming methods"--

A move towards more flexible, sustainable agricultural practices is increasingly being seen as the way to address or avoid environmental and economic problems associated with existing, predominantly intensive, farming systems. Through case studies taken from around the world, this book examines the implications of adopting more ecologically sound agricultural practices, both at the level of individual farmers and at the level of larger-scale agro-ecosystems such as water catchments. The emphasis of the book is on human and social aspects, rather than on agronomic or economic considerations, focusing on the learning processes necessary for change to be implemented and, in turn, on the facilitation of that learning through participatory approaches and appropriate institutional support and policy structure.

This framework presents ten interrelated principles/elements to guide Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization in Africa (SAMA). Further, it presents the technical issues to be considered under SAMA and the options to be analysed at the country and sub regional levels. The ten key elements required in a framework for SAMA are as follows: The analysis in the framework calls for a specific approach, involving learning from other parts of the world where significant transformation of the agricultural mechanization sector has already occurred within a three-to-four decade time frame, and developing policies and programmes to realize Africa’s aspirations of Zero Hunger by 2025. This approach entails the identification and prioritization of relevant and interrelated elements to help countries develop strategies and practical development plans that create synergies in line with their agricultural transformation plans. Given the unique characteristics of each country and the diverse needs of Africa due to the ecological heterogeneity and the wide range of farm sizes, the framework avoids being prescriptive.