Sustainable agriculture emphasizes the use of practices that promote long-term soil health, conserve natural resources, and minimize environmental degradation. The key principles of sustainable agriculture are:

1. Soil conservation: Protect and improve soil structure, fertility, and biodiversity through techniques like no-till or reduced-till farming, cover cropping, and crop rotation.
2. Crop diversification: Plant a variety of crops to promote ecological balance, reduce pest and disease pressure, and increase biodiversity.
3. Conservation agriculture: Implement practices like contour farming, terracing, and mulching to reduce soil erosion and improve water retention.
4. Integrated pest management (IPM): Use a combination of techniques like crop rotation, biological control, and cultural controls to manage pests and diseases.
5. Organic amendments: Use natural materials like compost, manure, or green manure to enrich soil fertility instead of synthetic fertilizers.
6. Integrated nutrient management (INM): Balance nutrient inputs with crop demand, using natural sources whenever possible, to minimize environmental pollution.
7. Water conservation: Implement efficient irrigation systems, use drought-tolerant crops, and adopt rainwater harvesting techniques to conserve water.
8. Biodiversity conservation: Preserve and promote biodiversity by maintaining ecological corridors, preserving natural habitats, and promoting agroecological practices.
9. Farm-level climate information: Provide farmers with reliable climate information to help them make informed decisions about planting, irrigation, and harvesting.
10. Supporting policies and certification schemes: Encourage governments to implement policies that support sustainable agriculture practices and develop certification schemes to promote responsible agriculture.