Environmentally-sustainable farming is often seen as something not financially feasible for most farmers: something brought from the top-down through the use of governmental regulations. There is some truth to this due to how policies affect most farmers, but the situation is far more complex. Read on to learn more about the economic cases made for sustainable agriculture: particularly if you’re a small business trying to stay competitive in markets dominated by big-farming.
Resources
A farm is a business, and cannot be run without the proper resources. Resources are nearly always limited, and are sometimes even scarce. You should pay special attention to the quality of your soil, air and water. All can be damaged through farming practises, leaving you with less viable resources in the long-term.
David and Goliath
There are clear differences between commercial farming ventures and small, sustainable farms. Regulations and the business structure as a whole are generally set up to help the larger, pre-existing companies. Small-scale farms are the underdogs. The issue of food availability is a political one, as well as economic.
Profitability
Profitability is a basic argument for the ways of sustainable farming, but often goes unused. Small-scale farms are more profitable than larger ones when it comes down to overall yields. Sustainable farms can often produce greater yields per acre of land than a larger operation.
Confidence
Market Appeal
The market for sustainable agriculture grows by the day, amid an increased interest in healthier foods and sustainable farming alternatives. Those who wish to make a name for themselves in the industry are facing a newer, younger market full of fresh possibilities.