Making Agribusiness Environmentally Sustainable

Europe has emerged as a leader in sustainable agriculture to enhance its environmental performance.

FREMONT, CA: Agriculture is changing to become environmentally friendly. This shift results from new rules like the European Union's Farm to Fork (F2F) Strategy, as well as consumers' increased environmental consciousness and preference for more environmentally friendly food. These regulations appear to be a significant commercial interruption for companies that manufacture agricultural inputs such as seed, fertiliser, crop protection goods, and machinery. The effects of the new restrictions have received much attention up to this point in the discussion.

The demand for several Agri product categories is predicted to decline, according to research on the European agriculture industry. However, the market as a whole continues to be appealing, particularly for businesses that invest in innovation that results in new products that support sustainable agricultural methods. These businesses will likely need to make the most change, moving away from business models that prioritise selling things and toward ones that prioritise selling solutions. For many agribusinesses, it will be a significant adjustment. But people who adopt this way of thinking will contribute to the agriculture industry's overall sustainability and help safeguard and expand their businesses.

The agriculture sector in Europe will run over 10.5 million farms, employ close to 9.5 million farm employees full-time, and produce about USD 500 billion in gross value in the upcoming years. The area is a significant global supplier, exporting agricultural products worth around USD 210 billion annually. Agriculture is the third-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions globally and in Europe, after power generation and road transport. Agriculture and related land use are directly responsible for about 18 per cent of emissions.

Europe has emerged as a leader in sustainable agriculture to enhance its environmental performance. The EU has the toughest regulations regarding the usage of inputs like fertiliser and crop protection agents. But there will be additional changes, particularly with the European Green Deal and, in particular, the F2F policy, which will implement steps to mitigate climate change and lessen the environmental impact of agriculture. Among other objectives, these projects seek to decrease the chemical risk, improve farming methods, and support organic farming, biodiversity, and sustainable food consumption.

Developments in European agriculture impact the sector globally due to global trade flows and the continent's status as a sizable, desirable market and a pioneer in sustainability. Global producers who wish to import agricultural goods into Europe must follow EU regulations. In addition, most places that do not currently have the same degree of environmental restrictions are headed in that direction.