*4.1.1 Compost application*

Compost is a plant- and animal-derived organic material aerobically digested by mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria [15, 22]. Compost application in agriculture can enhance nutrients and organic matter in the soil. The improvement of SOM, soil humus, soil microbial biomass, enzyme activity, and resistance to pests and diseases are among the outstanding benefits of compost application [8, 39, 40]. Applying compost to the ground can boost the soil's capacity to store carbon, which in turn reduces the impact of global warming. Additionally, adding compost to soil can increase the cation exchange capacity of the soil and improve the availability of both macro and micronutrients for plant uptake. It can enhance the soil bulk density, porosity, and water-holding capacity, increasing plants' tolerance to water shortages. Due to a number of positive impacts, compost application may be suggested as a practical tool in sustainable agriculture. For instance, farmers could obtain compost more easily than inorganic fertilizer because they could make it by themselves from locally available waste resources; it could enhance all soil properties (i.e., physical,

chemical, and biological) and could provide all essential plant nutrients for plants [8, 9, 22]. Compost has numerous advantages; therefore, farmers should combine it with other soil-management techniques to ensure sustainable crop production.

#### *4.1.2 Vermicompost application*

Earthworms are employed in the vermicomposting process to turn organic waste into a humus-like substance known as vermicompost. It is a mesophilic technique that makes use of bacteria and earthworms that are active between 10°C and 32°C. The process is faster than composting; because the material goes through the earthworm gut, thereby leading to the creation of earthworm castings [41, 42]. Vermicomposting, or worm composting, produces a rich organic soil amendment containing a diversity of plant nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. Vermicompost improves soil physicochemical properties of the soil and hence increases crop yields to improve the livelihood of the community. In recent years, various research studies have reported the significant role of vermicompost in crop production in different agroecological conditions. Economically, it is affordable for poor farmers, and it is environmentally suitable, making it efficient for sustainable crop intensification. Studies have shown that applying vermicompost leads to enhanced nutrient availability and positive effects on soil properties, productivity, profitability, and resilience [41, 43, 44].

#### *4.1.3 Biofertilizer application*

Biofertilizers are types of fertilizer that contain different microorganisms, which can enhance microbial activity in soil [45, 46]. They can convert the organic nitrogen into available forms for plant use such as nitrate and ammonia, improve soil porosity and improve the resistance of plants against pathogens. Biofertilizers are one of the methods used in organic agriculture practices. They are the most important biotechnology needed to enhance the expansion of organic farming, sustainable agricultural development, and alternative clean agriculture [46–48]. Biofertilizers are natural and organic fertilizers that help to maintain soil with all nutrients and living microorganisms needed for crop health [46, 49, 50]. Biofertilizers are energy-efficient, free pollution and rely on exploiting the ability of some microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi. Biofertilizers fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, root nodules of legume crops, and make it available into the plant [46, 47]. Biofertilizers are low-cost plant nutrient source, eco-friendly and has a complementary role with synthetic fertilizers. They are Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Blue Algae Green, and Azola. They improve physical and chemical properties of soil such as water-holding capacity, and buffer capacity. Biofertilizers can improve the yield by 10–25% and minimize the use of inorganic N by 25–50 kg ha−1 without adversely affecting the soil and environment [45, 47, 51]. It ensures sustainable agriculture by boosting soil resilience, plant productivity, and soil quality.

#### *4.1.4 Biochar application*

Biochar is the carbon-rich organic matter that is obtained after heating biomass (corn, rice or wheat waste) in little or no oxygen through a process called pyrolysis [15, 52, 53]. The chemical, biological, and physical features of the soil are changed when biochar is applied as a soil amendment, which substantially impacts soil fertility. *Improving the Sustainability of Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112857*

Its effects as a soil amendment improve soil fertility and plant growth, which increases crop output [52–54]. The potential for biochar to increase soil fertility and health could lead to sustainable yield intensification. Many reports stated that biochar application to soils significantly affected crop productivity taking into account soil health and increasing water availability [53–55]. Biochar as soil conditioner reduces nutrient loss by decreasing leaching through increasing cation exchange capacity [54]. It increases water-holding capacity due to its porous structure. It can increase soil fertility of acidic soils, protects plants from diseases, promotes growth of soil microbes, and increase the soil carbon content. Biochar can be used for long-term storage of carbon in the soil, thus decreasing the amount of CO2 released in the atmosphere [54, 56].

#### **4.2 Integrated nutrient management**

INM, which is a comprehensive strategy, including maintaining and continuously adjusting soil fertility and plant nutrient delivery to an optimum level [14, 57, 58]. In order to achieve and sustain maximum production without threatening the soil ecology, adopting INM is a must. It is based on the integration of biological, inorganic, and organic nutrient sources in a specific cropping system while considering regional variables. In addition to having a good impact on the soil nutrient condition, INM can improve SOM and improve water retention and storage. As a result, it can strengthen agricultural systems and enhances soil carbon sequestration. Using INM instead of applying mineral fertilizer in Nitisol increased maize production by up to 18% [9]. Thus, it strongly supports the concept of sustainable agriculture anywhere. Combining applications could boost a farm's economic resilience, particularly for poor farmers in developing countries who cannot afford enough mineral fertilizer. Due to their limited economic capacity, they are unable to afford the significantly rising price of mineral fertilizer. Therefore, due to its substantial benefits for sustainable agriculture, various researchers recommended the adoption of INM rather than sole application [9, 45, 59, 60].

#### **4.3 Adopting small-scale irrigation**

The adoption of small-scale irrigation farming as a sustainable agricultural practice could significantly influence ensuring food security [33, 34]. Adopting small-scale irrigated farming as a SA practice is crucial for dry-land farming systems because it guarantees crop production during the dry season. The production of various crops twice or three times a year and boosting the income of rural farmhouseholds are two significant goals that can be achieved by small-scale irrigation. However, the use of small-scale irrigation farming is significantly influenced by the availability of irrigation equipment, access to quality water sources, and awareness of water-saving techniques like rainwater harvesting [31, 33, 34]. Practices that will facilitate the implementation of small-scale irrigation farming are essential since this will substantially impact agricultural income and enable smallholder farmers to adjust quickly to climate change and variability.

## **5. Conclusion**

Food and nutrition security could result from sustainable agriculture without harming the environment for future generations. The goal of sustainable

development may be achieved by comprehending its components and managing them appropriately. However, significant reliance on mineral fertilizers, a lack of innovative technologies, and climate change and variability are likely to have an impact on sustainable agriculture. Both developed and developing countries are impacted by the same variables. However, the intensity of the impact is high in developing countries due to low adaptation capacity. Focusing on locally available organic resources, INM, and increasing the use of small-scale irrigation can help to enhance the SA everywhere. These could increase agriculture productivity and ecosystem sustainability due to their high input use efficiencies, reduced use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and improved soil resilience and quality in a changing climate. Effective agricultural policies based on locally developed sustainable agricultural practices, a review of extension services for better information dissemination, and farmer training are required to increase the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in both developed and developing countries.
