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Sustainability

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is committed to working with partners and stakeholders toward the sustainability of diverse agricultural and food systems, where the sustainability of a system is judged by its success in advancing objectives related to the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainability. These objectives include providing safe and nutritious food for all; providing decent incomes and wages for farmers and those working across the system; and conserving natural resources for the benefit of current and future populations.

Sustainable agricultural productivity growth is a foundational element in building more sustainable agricultural and food systems. Without it, our ability to meet current and future food needs, conserve natural resources, and support the long-term viability of agriculture is endangered.

For information on joining with others to advance sustainable agricultural productivity growth, see the Coalition on Sustainable Productivity Growth for Food Security and Resource Conservation (the SPG Coalition).

At USDA, the advancement of more sustainable agricultural and food systems, including through sustainable productivity growth, is supported by holistic, science-based, data-driven decision-making and innovative solutions. Critical elements of this approach include: