Which of the following practices is essential in sustainable agriculture?

Diversity in crop production is essential in sustainable agriculture because it promotes a more resilient and productive farming ecosystem. By incorporating a variety of crops, farmers can enhance soil health, reduce pest and disease pressure, and improve water retention. This practice helps to mimic natural ecosystems, which are inherently diverse and capable of sustaining productivity over time. Crop diversity also encourages beneficial insects and enhances pollination, which can lead to increased yields and quality.

In contrast, monoculture cropping systems focus on planting a single crop over large areas, which can lead to soil depletion, increased vulnerability to pests and diseases, and a higher reliance on chemical inputs. Using chemical fertilizers exclusively disregards the importance of soil health and can lead to nutrient runoff, pollution, and long-term degradation of soil quality. Eliminating all organic farming methods ignores sustainable practices that build soil health and encourage biodiversity, and could limit the adaptive capacity of farming systems to changing environmental conditions.

Overall, embracing diversity in crop production supports the goals of sustainable agriculture by fostering a balanced ecosystem that can sustain agricultural productivity while minimizing negative environmental impacts.