Ending hunger, achieving food security and promoting sustainable development are at the top of the list of United Nations (UN) sustainable global development priorities. In the times of high population growth and increasing pressure of agricultural systems, efficiency in use of natural resources has been at the epicenter of sustainable agricultural. The concept of ‘Input efficiency’ implies production of high quantity and quality of food, from using only finite natural resources as inputs, in the form of mainly land, water, nutrients, energy, or biological diversity. In this book, editors provide a roadmap to the food, nutritional, and environmental security in the agricultural systems. They share insight into the approaches that can be put in practice for increasing the input use efficiency in the cropping systems and achieve stability and sustainability of agricultural production systems. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, climate change scientists, capacity builders and policymakers. Also the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, agroforestry, agroecology, and environmental sciences. National and international agricultural scientists, policymakers will also find this to be a useful read.

As the dominant source of the human food supply, the global land system underlies the foundation of the livelihood and wellbeing of humanity on Earth. On the one hand, the growth rate in the land system’s productive capacity of food has played a key role in global food provision. Technological breakthroughs in wheat and rice production during the past few decades, for instance, have greatly contributed to the maintenance of this growth rate in many parts of the world. On the other hand, however, the terrestrial food production system is facing increasing challenges from environmental stressors ranging from climate change, air pollution to land degradation. Whether and how the global land system will support the food security of more than 10 billion people in the 21st century while minimizing its environmental footprint remains an open question to debate. It is inevitable that the global food production system has to be shifted from focusing on production expansion to land system resilience so that the dual goals of sustainable production and environmental friendliness can be simultaneously achieved.

Achieving zero hunger and food security is a top priority in the United Nations Development Goals (UNDGs). In an era characterized by high population growth and increasing pressure on agricultural systems, efficiency in the use of natural resources has become central to sustainable agricultural practices. Fundamentally speaking, eco-efficiency is about maximizing agricultural outputs, in terms of quantity and quality, using less land, water, nutrients, energy, labor, or capital. The concept of eco-efficiency involves both the ecological and economic aspects of sustainable agriculture. It is therefore essential to understand the interaction of ecosystem constituents within the extensive agricultural landscape, as well as farmers’ economic needs. This book examines the latest eco-efficient practices used in agro-systems. Drawing upon research and examples from around the world, it offers an up-to-date overview, together with insights into directly applicable approaches for poly-cropping systems and landscape-scale management to improve the stability of agricultural production systems, helping achieve food security. The book will be of interest to educators, researchers, climate change scientists, capacity builders and policymakers alike. It can also be used as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate courses on agriculture, forestry, soil science, and the environmental sciences.

This book gives detailed information about how soil, water and wastes can be managed to overcome the various global issues via possible nexus thinking. The emphasis is on the environmental resource perspective of global climate change-related issues. It provides stepwise information on climate change and adaption strategies, urbanization and its impact and management strategies, environmental nexus approaches to cope with global challenges and recourses conservation and ecological approaches to restore the damaged ecosystem. Features: Compiles the possible nexus approaches that contribute to managing the atmospheric environmental variables in sustainable ways Focuses on environmental resources perspective of the global change Covers how soil, water and waste may be managed in a nexus Explains modern strategies to manage the present environmental situation that are feasible and safe to the environment Discusses environmental nexus for judicious resource management This book is aimed at researchers and graduate students in environmental sciences and engineering and sustainable development.

Sustainable Agriculture under Drought Stress: Integrated Soil, Water and Nutrient Management seamlessly blends cutting-edge research with practical applications, offering a unique perspective on tackling this urgent challenge. Through a multidisciplinary lens, this book provides a cohesive and comprehensive understanding of both the current landscape and future prospects. Readers will find this book equips them with the knowledge and strategies required to manage soil nutrients and water effectively, ensuring the health of both soil and plants, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, where solutions are urgently needed. This book offers actionable insights into mitigating the impacts of climate change on agricultural systems, making it essential reading for anyone invested in sustainable land management and food security. - Clarifies mechanisms and proposes solutions for enhancing soil health and fertility, irrigation management, and crop production in drought-stressed environments - Presents a diverse array of options for responding to drought stress, optimizing plant health and furthering sustainability - Explores emerging cropping systems and opportunities

AGRICULTURE WASTE MANAGEMENT AND BIORESOURCE Comprehensive resource detailing the generation of agricultural waste and providing insight into waste management Agriculture Waste Management and Bioresource provides thorough coverage of the generation of agricultural waste with essential thought leadership about various options in managing the waste, including composting, vermicomposting to form manure, and biogas generation. Readers take a crucial step toward more sustainable development and creating a greener planet. The text includes a wide range of information regarding resource recovery from the waste of the agriculture sector, energy generation, biofuels, reduction in the amount and volume of waste through circular economies, and much more. The authors place particular importance on understanding and managing agricultural waste concerning the sustainability of the environment in the era of global climate change. Topics covered in Agriculture Waste Management and Bioresource include: Categories and amounts of agricultural wastes seen in a worldwide perspective and current challenges and perspectives in handling agricultural wastes State-of-the-art processing technologies relevant for agricultural wastes categories and sustainable methods used for management of agricultural??biomass Bioethanol production from lignocellulose waste of agricultural waste biomass and biogas production through anaerobic digestion of agricultural wastes Mechanical and chemical processing, aerobic and anaerobic treatment, other biological processing methods, and thermal processing Academics, students, and industry professionals in environmental science and engineering, waste management, and agriculture can use the valuable insights in Agriculture Waste Management and Bioresource to understand the latest in the field and the advancements that can propel us towards a better and more sustainable future.

Global drylands, covering over 40% of Earth’s land surface, are important among worldwide ecoregions and support large human and livestock populations. However, these ecologically sensitive ecoregions are undergoing a rapid transformation resulting from climate change, socioeconomic and political factors, increases in population, and ever-growing demands for goods and services. Managing Soil Drought addresses basic processes and provides specific case studies throughout covering the protection, restoration, and sustainable management goals of global drylands under changing and harsh climatic conditions, including fragile and vulnerable ecosystems. The book is written by numerous researchers, academicians, practitioners, advocates, land managers, and policymakers involved in bringing about transformation in these regions important to human and nature. It includes information on basic strategies of sustainable management of global drylands aimed at improving water use efficiency through choosing appropriate species, developing new varieties, using organic and inorganic amendments, and scaling up innovative farming systems. This volume in the Advances in Soil Sciences series is an essential read for development organizations and policymakers involved in improving crop productivity and sustainability in drought-prone regions; students, researchers, and academicians interested in sustainable management of water resources; and those involved in emerging concepts of regenerative agriculture, agroecology, and conservation agriculture.

Drought, a serious global issue, is being aggravated by climate change. Both pedological and agronomic droughts are a major risk factor with adverse effects on agronomic productivity, food and nutritional security, and human wellbeing. This volume in the Advances in Soil Sciences series: Considers processes, factors, and causes of pedological/agronomic droughts. Discusses effects of global warming on soil drought Describes management options to enhance drought resilience of agricultural soils Presents soil moisture management options to mitigate drought Includes information on soil health and its effects on drought Explains innovative options in measurement of soil moisture content