Abstract:
Farming intensification has been regarded as the most viable method to feed the world's rapidly
rising population, owing to its greatly increased food production capability within changing
environmental conditions. However, due to adverse management practices, application of high
rates of agrochemicals and many other unsuited farming activities, intensified farms cause lots of
environmental consequences. The emission of greenhouse gases mainly leads to global warming
and the degradation of farmlands by converting them into unsustainable lands that could have
otherwise been used effectively as agricultural production systems for a longer period. The
Ecological Footprint (EF) is one of the best indicators for evaluating biologically productive land
and water areas that are required for an individual or activity to meet all current consumption
levels while using prevalent common technologies and resource management procedures,
according to the sustainable development concept. This EF is widely used around the world for
sustainability assessments. This review paper attempts to identify the potential of organic
agriculture as a sustainable solution for reducing EF. In Agriculture, EF can be used to assess the
ecological impacts of various agricultural production systems. People are now concerned about
reducing the harmful effects of unsustainable farming practices on the environment and societal
health. In comparison to unsustainable intense commercial farming methods, organic agriculture
(OA) is better adapted to achieve targeted production levels in agriculture. Many agronomical
practices, such as crop diversification, crop rotation, increasing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer
usage, activities that increase soil carbon sequestration, and reduced or zero tillage practices
combined with crop residue retention and nitrogen fixation using pulses, can reduce EF in OA.
