Bridging the Gap between Sustainable Agriculture and Nutritional Security: Pathways to Better Health - A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Sustainable agriculture is important for nutritional security and long-term human health and for protecting natural resources for future generations. This review focuses on the association of sustainable agricultural methods with nutritional security, highlighting the environmental, economic and social dimensions of agricultural sustainability. The report discusses how crop and dietary diversification, agricultural biodiversity, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, climate-resilient farming, efficient water management, improved post-harvest systems and technological innovations can influence the availability, accessibility, safety and quality of nutritious foods. The role of precision agriculture, artificial intelligence, smart irrigation, remote sensing and biotechnology for improving the efficiency of use of resources and agricultural resilience is also discussed in the review. Climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation, food loss and waste, socio-economic inequalities and limited access to resources continue to be major challenges to achieve nutritional security. The Indian agricultural context is also discussed, highlighting opportunities and challenges for sustainable and nutrition sensitive farming. In conclusion, linking sustainable agriculture with nutrition, food safety, health, technological innovation and equal access to resources can foster resilient food systems and improved health outcomes. Future efforts should focus on increasing interdisciplinary collaboration and building the evidence linking sustainable agricultural methods with dietary diversity, nutritional adequacy, food affordability, nutritional status, and long-term health.