Sustainable agriculture has environmental, social and economic dimensions that must be considered together. Complete the table with the words and phrases from the box.
| Biodiversity Labour Rights Water | Community Health Climate Food Quality and Safety | Livelihoods Soil Farm Profitability |
| Sustainable Agriculture | ||
| Environmental Impacts | Social Impacts | Economic Impacts |
| Biodiversity … | … | … |
Use the following words to fill in the blanks.
| quality development energy incomes | fertility biodiversity customs, traditions and norms foods |
From an ecological perspective, sustainable agriculture must contribute to conserving and improving soil 1) _____ and water 2) _____, restoring 3) _____ and making economical use of 4) _____.
In economic terms, sustainable agriculture must improve 5) _____ and offer farmers a secure income. It must deliver long-term improvements in nutritional status and ensure access to 6) _____.
From the social point of view, sustainable agriculture must involve disadvantaged farmers in 7) _____, and take account of social 8) _____, including taboos. It should utilise local knowledge and distribute work and income equitably between the members of a household, and between the genders and generations.
Read the text and match the headings to the paragraphs (A-E).
Animal Health Benefits
Keeping Small Farmers in Business
Farming Technique
Environmental Benefits
Human Health Benefits
Sustainable Livestock Husbandry
A _____
Truly sustainable livestock farming requires the use of a pasture-based system. Pasture-raised animals roam freely in their natural environment where they're able to eat nutritious grasses and other plants that their bodies are adapted to digest. In addition to dramatically improving the welfare of farm animals, pasturing also helps reduce environmental damage, and yields meat, eggs, and dairy products that are tastier and more nutritious than foods produced on factory farms.
B _____
Animals raised on pasture enjoy a much higher quality of life than those confined within factory farms. When raised on open pasture, animals are able to move around freely and carry out their natural behaviours. This lifestyle is impossible to achieve on industrial farms, where thousands of animals are crowded into confined facilities, often without access to fresh air or sunlight. Pasture-raised animals also enjoy a diet free of the unnatural feed additives routinely administered on factory farms. On pasture, animals get all the nutrients they need from grass and forage (other plants), and some animals, like chickens, get additional vitamins and protein from eating insects.
C _____
A growing body of research indicates that pasture-raised meat, eggs, and dairy products are better for consumers' health than conventionally-raised, grain-fed foods. In addition to being lower in calories and total fat, pasture-raised foods have higher levels of vitamins, and a healthier balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fats.
D _____
Pasture-based systems can help the environment, especially through fertilizing the soil and by reducing the amount of grain produced as feed. And unlike industrial farms, which rely on large amounts of fossil fuels to truck feed and animal waste, pasture-based systems take advantage of the animal’s ability to feed itself and spread its own manure.
E _____
When you buy pastured meat, you're not only taking a step to safeguard your health, protect the environment, and improve animal wellbeing, you're also supporting sustainable farming and the farmers who choose to practice it. Small, local family farmers are invaluable members of the nation’s rural communities and play a key role as stewards of the land.
