Guidelines for SAS Sustainable Crop Production

Sustainable agriculture is farming in sustainable ways meeting society’s present food and textile needs, without compromising the ability for current or future generations to meet their needs. In harmony with nature.

Challenges

There are several challenges and risks with both Conventional and Organic farming. Conventional agriculture causes increased greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, water pollution, and threatens human health. In contrast, organic farming has a smaller carbon footprint, conserves and builds soil health, still, organic farming reduces agriculture production, and production costs are higher because farmers need more resources and need to follow strict practices also the crops are easily susceptible to illnesses- that may slow down harvesting output.

Solutions

  • We recommend the use of Organic seeds and restrict the use of GMO quality but a grower can use heirloom seeds and recommend hybrid seeds (research quality) approved by global biotech agencies as well.
  • The amounts of residues found in food must be safe for consumers and must be as low as possible; the parameter should match with the global MRL database.
  • SAS standards also push social equivalence and financial uplifting of wage earners using our social clauses.
  • Traceability should available at every step – with the use of technology we are making it possible.
  • Organic input cost is higher hence we are providing low-cost alternatives like biodynamic, natural farming, etc. Promoting Nonchemical agents such as insect predators, mating disruption, and traps are used to protect crops from pests and disease. Weeds are managed through crop rotation, tillage, hand weeding, cover crops, mulches, flame weeding, and other management methods.