difference between alternative agriculture and sustainable agriculture

"Alternative" agriculture is more loosely defined than is sustainable agriculture, and it generally refers to agricultural practices that are different than those used in conventional Green Revolution style agriculture. For example, farming practices that decrease reliance on inorganic fertilizers as the primary source of fertility (see "Soil fertility" below) might be considered "alternative."

"Sustainable" agriculture refers both to economic and ecological sustainability. Any farming system that is going to be truly sustainable must be so in both senses; a farmer cannot stay in the farming business if the farming operation is not economically viable, regardless of how fine it may be ecologically! While there is considerable debate about exactly what constitutes sustainable agriculture, in general it is defined in terms of practices that not only allow for quality of life and agricultural production for this generation, but also for generations into the future. Sustainable agriculture doesn't necessarily mean "organic" farming (farming without use of synthetic chemical inputs), although increased attention is paid to "organic components," particularly in fertility and pest control.