Sustainable intensification reimagined: Ecological agronomy, climate-smart practices and circular systems for food security in the anthropocene - balancing productivity, environmental limits and social equity

Abstract

The Anthropocene, characterized by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems, presents unprecedented challenges for global food security (Crutzen, 2002; Steffen et al., 2011) [32, 73]. Feeding a growing population while navigating climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss necessitates a fundamental transformation of agricultural systems (Godfray et al., 2010; IPCC, 2022) [66, 81]. Sustainable Intensification (SI) has emerged as a prominent concept, aiming to increase agricultural output without expanding land area or causing adverse environmental impacts (Pretty, 1995; Garnett et al., 2013) [58, 140]. This review paper reimagines SI through the lens of ecological agronomy, climate-smart practices, and circular systems, advocating for a holistic approach that explicitly balances productivity, environmental limits, and social equity (Pretty et al., 2011) [144]. We explore the foundational role of ecological agronomy, emphasizing agroecological principles, biodiversity integration, and soil health management as drivers of resilient and regenerative production (Altieri, 1995; Lal, 2015) [6, 100]. The paper then delves into climate-smart practices, detailing strategies for both adaptation to climate impacts (e.g., stress-tolerant crops, water-efficient systems) and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., carbon sequestration, reduced chemical use) (FAO, 2013) [44]. Furthermore, we examine the potential of circular systems, focusing on nutrient recycling, water conservation, and energy efficiency, to create closed-loop agricultural economies (Cordell et al., 2009). A critical analysis is provided on the complex interplay of balancing productivity gains with planetary boundaries and ensuring equitable access to resources and benefits for all stakeholders, particularly smallholder farmers (Rockström et al., 2009; Kremen & Miles, 2012) [98, 152]. Finally, the review addresses the implementation complexities and systemic boundaries, including economic viability, policy hurdles, and knowledge gaps, offering insights into fostering a truly transformative and just agricultural future in the Anthropocene.