Bioeconomy for Sustainable Organic Farming

Abstract

The intensity of land use to cover world food demand is one of the main causes of climate change, resulting in conflicts between people, biodiversity, and the reservoirs of zoonotic diseases. Nowadays, the society is facing a challenge concerning the necessity of the development of a new economic system that considers social and environment, so that it can be sustainable for Earth future. In regard of the adaptation of agriculture systems to the Anthropocene era, the organic agriculture can play an important role, as its main basis is the abstention from using synthetic inputs. On this sense, it’s noted that organic agriculture converges with the bioeconomy concept, since the latter claimed to extend food production without disturbing the environment. Through the need for new production methods that raise renewable resources, the bioeconomy foresees the innovative use of nutrients and the transition of conventional systems into sustainable ones. Organic farming and the bioeconomy share common creative goals that are motivating and imperative for the development of agriculture in the coming decades. Organic farmers implement the bioeconomy on their land, increasing the socio-environmental impact, contributing directly to the enhancement of soil trait, environmental and biodiversity conservation, generating an increase in income, management and administrative expertise, and improving consumer respect indicators. Organic cooperatives are excelling in obtaining approved organic inputs thanks to the individual pro-activism, self-education, and entrepreneurship of the cooperative members. The aim of this chapter is to contribute to academic research in the evaluation of the issues that intercede sustainable development, organic agricultural production, and the concept of the bioeconomy.