Sustainable agriculture is a topic that has gained significant attention in recent years, reflecting global concerns about food security, environmental protection, and rural development. This subject has become increasingly relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions, appearing with notable frequency in recent exams. Based on our analysis of past IELTS tests and current trends, we anticipate that questions related to sustainable agriculture will continue to be a popular theme in future exams.
Let’s examine a relevant IELTS Writing Task 2 question that aligns closely with this topic:
Some people believe that promoting sustainable agriculture is crucial for addressing global food security and environmental challenges. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Provide reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Understand the concept of sustainable agriculture
- Consider its potential impact on global food security and environmental issues
- Formulate an opinion on the importance of promoting sustainable agriculture
- Provide reasoning and examples to support their stance
Let’s explore three sample essays addressing this question, each targeting different IELTS band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Sustainable agriculture has emerged as a potential solution to the twin challenges of ensuring global food security and mitigating environmental degradation. I strongly agree that promoting such practices is crucial for addressing these pressing issues, as it offers a balanced approach to food production that considers both short-term needs and long-term sustainability.
Firstly, sustainable agriculture directly contributes to global food security by enhancing the resilience and productivity of farming systems. Traditional intensive farming methods, while initially high-yielding, often lead to soil degradation and reduced fertility over time. In contrast, sustainable practices such as crop rotation, integrated pest management, and conservation tillage help maintain soil health and biodiversity, ensuring consistent yields even in the face of climate change and other environmental pressures. For instance, a study in Ethiopia showed that farms using sustainable methods were able to increase yields by 92% while improving soil quality and water retention.
Moreover, promoting sustainable agriculture is essential for addressing environmental challenges, particularly climate change and biodiversity loss. Conventional agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Sustainable farming methods, however, can turn agriculture from a problem into part of the solution. Practices like agroforestry and organic farming sequester carbon in the soil, reduce the need for chemical inputs, and provide habitats for wildlife. In Costa Rica, for example, the implementation of sustainable coffee farming practices has not only improved yields but also significantly increased biodiversity in coffee-growing regions.
Furthermore, the promotion of sustainable agriculture can have far-reaching socio-economic benefits, particularly for rural communities. By reducing dependence on expensive chemical inputs and promoting diversification, sustainable farming can improve farmers’ livelihoods and food security at the local level. This is evident in countries like India, where the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) – a sustainable rice farming method – has led to increased yields, reduced water usage, and improved incomes for smallholder farmers.
In conclusion, the promotion of sustainable agriculture is indeed crucial for addressing global food security and environmental challenges. Its potential to increase food production while simultaneously protecting ecosystems and improving rural livelihoods makes it an indispensable strategy for ensuring a sustainable future. As such, governments, NGOs, and international organizations should prioritize the promotion and implementation of sustainable agricultural practices worldwide.
Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position that is consistently developed throughout. It provides well-elaborated reasons and relevant examples to support the argument.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect (food security, environmental challenges, socio-economic benefits) and uses appropriate linking words to ensure smooth transitions.
Lexical Resource: The essay employs a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Key terms related to sustainable agriculture are used accurately and effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used with flexibility and accuracy. There are no noticeable errors, and the writing flows naturally.
Development and Support: Each main point is well-developed with specific examples and explanations, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of the topic.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In recent years, sustainable agriculture has become an important topic in discussions about global food security and environmental problems. I agree that promoting sustainable farming methods is very important for dealing with these issues.
One reason why sustainable agriculture is crucial is that it can help ensure we have enough food for everyone in the long term. Traditional farming often uses a lot of chemicals and water, which can damage the soil over time. This means farms might produce less food in the future. Sustainable methods, like crop rotation and using natural fertilizers, keep the soil healthy. This helps farms produce food for many years without losing productivity. For example, some farmers in India have started using these methods and have seen their crop yields increase over time.
Another important point is that sustainable agriculture is better for the environment. Regular farming can cause pollution from chemicals and contribute to climate change. Sustainable practices, however, often use fewer chemicals and can even help fight climate change. For instance, some sustainable farming methods store carbon in the soil, which helps reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This is important because climate change is a big problem that affects everyone.
Lastly, promoting sustainable agriculture can help farmers, especially in poor areas. Sustainable methods often cost less because they don’t need expensive chemicals. This means farmers can earn more money and have a better life. In some African countries, farmers who switched to sustainable methods were able to grow more food and make more money, which helped their whole communities.
In conclusion, I strongly believe that promoting sustainable agriculture is very important for solving food security and environmental problems. It helps ensure we have enough food, protects the environment, and supports farmers. Governments and organizations should do more to encourage and support sustainable farming practices around the world.
Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates good competence in several areas:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear position. It provides reasons and some examples, though they are less detailed than in the Band 8-9 essay.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear overall progression. Paragraphing is logical, and there is some use of cohesive devices, though not always with complete flexibility.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, though with occasional inaccuracy in word choice or collocation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. There are some errors, but they do not impede communication.
Development and Support: Each main point is supported with reasons and examples, though they are less fully developed compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Nowdays, many people think that sustainable agriculture is very important for solving food problems and helping the environment. I agree with this idea because I think it can help in many ways.
First, sustainable agriculture can help make sure we have enough food in the future. Normal farming sometimes uses too many chemicals that can hurt the soil. But sustainable farming uses better ways to keep the soil good. This means we can grow food for a long time without problems. For example, some farmers use different crops each year to keep the soil healthy.
Also, sustainable agriculture is good for the environment. It doesn’t use as many chemicals as normal farming, so it doesn’t pollute as much. This is important because pollution is a big problem in many places. Some sustainable farms even help the environment by planting trees or using less water.
Lastly, sustainable agriculture can help farmers make more money. They don’t have to buy expensive chemicals, so they can save money. This is especially good for poor farmers who don’t have much money. In some countries, farmers who use sustainable methods are doing better than before.
In conclusion, I think promoting sustainable agriculture is very important. It can help with food problems, protect the environment, and help farmers. I think governments should do more to help farmers use sustainable methods.
Essay Analysis (Band 5-6)
This essay demonstrates an adequate attempt at addressing the task:
Task Response: The essay addresses the main parts of the task and expresses a position, though the ideas are not always fully developed.
Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall structure, but the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes inaccurate.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is limited but generally adequate for the task. There is some repetition and lack of precision in word choice.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a limited range of structures. There are frequent errors, but they generally do not impede communication.
Development and Support: The main points are supported with some relevant ideas, but the examples and explanations lack detail and clarity.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Sustainable agriculture (noun): Farming practices that ensure long-term productivity while preserving the environment.
Pronunciation: /səˈsteɪnəbəl ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/Food security (noun): The state of having reliable access to sufficient, affordable, nutritious food.
Pronunciation: /fuːd sɪˈkjʊərəti/Environmental degradation (noun): The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources or damage to ecosystems.
Pronunciation: /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˌdeɡrəˈdeɪʃn/Crop rotation (noun): The practice of growing different types of crops in the same area in sequential seasons.
Pronunciation: /krɒp rəʊˈteɪʃn/Integrated pest management (noun): An ecosystem-based strategy focusing on long-term prevention of pests through various techniques.
Pronunciation: /ˈɪntɪɡreɪtɪd pest ˈmænɪdʒmənt/Biodiversity (noun): The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
Pronunciation: /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/Agroforestry (noun): A land use management system where trees or shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland.
Pronunciation: /ˌæɡrəʊˈfɒrɪstri/Soil fertility (noun): The ability of soil to sustain plant growth by providing essential plant nutrients and favorable physical conditions.
Pronunciation: /sɔɪl fəˈtɪləti/
In conclusion, the topic of promoting sustainable agriculture is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of technology in sustainable farming
- Balancing economic growth with environmental protection in agriculture
- The impact of climate change on global food production
- Organic farming vs. conventional farming methods
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare more effectively for the IELTS exam.