Pesticides, fertilizers, soil and antibiotics
Impacts of market-based tools: what is the evidence?
Evidensia's evidence review on this topic revealed that, for agrochemical use and soil health, the impact of participating in a market-based sustainability program is generally either positive or neutral, with a very small number of results indicating a negative effect. Notably, no studies were found that evaluated antibiotic use in the livestock or aquaculture sectors, despite the public health importance of this topic. The studies examined in the review reveal that farmer training and availability of diagnostic tools such as soil tests can enhance the impact of sustainability programs on these outcomes. Further, the findings indicate that sustainable and regenerative practices can – but don’t always – result in productivity benefits for farmers and underscore the reality that farmers weigh multiple conflicting forces when choosing which practices to implement. Go to Evidensia's Visual Summaries page to view an interactive version of the results.
Agrochemical use in farming, forestry, and aquaculture boosts productivity and controls pests. However, overuse and poor management of pesticides, fertilisers, and antibiotics threaten human and environmental health. Excessive pesticide use harms ecosystems and pollinators, while over-fertilisation damages waterways. In livestock, excessive antibiotic use fosters resistance, posing public health risks. Soil degradation worsens reliance on chemicals.
Market-based initiatives aim to reduce agrochemical overuse and promote sustainability through:
Pesticide regulations: Banning toxic pesticides and enforcing strict safety standards.
Integrated pest management: Reducing pesticide use through crop rotation, biological control, and pest-resistant crops.
Soil testing and organic fertilisers: Encouraging soil testing and organic fertilisers to improve soil health and reduce chemical dependency.
Antibiotic reduction: Limiting antibiotic use through monitoring and gradual reductions to combat resistance.
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Antibiotic use
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Fertilizers
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Pesticides and herbicides
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Soil erosion
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Soil health
Related resources in pesticides, fertilizers, soil and antibiotics
Issues :
Pesticides, fertilizers and soilImpacts of market-based tools: where are the evidence gaps?
Most research about the impact of market-based sustainability approaches on agrochemicals and soil health is from the coffee sector, with smaller numbers of results available from the cocoa, rice, cotton, and forestry sectors. There is a clear lack of research on tea, bananas, and palm oil, which are commonly the target of major market-based sustainability programs and are often criticized for excessive agrochemical use. Further, no studies are available that address the impact of sustainability programs on antibiotic use in the livestock or aquaculture sectors. These findings reflect substantial gaps in the research base and, consequently our knowledge, of how these tools affect agrochemical management, antibiotic use, and soil health.