The agriculture industry uses natural resources to grow or raise products for human use. Commonly used techniques include grazing, crop harvesting, planting and livestock feeding. Many operations produce foods.
Agriculture also includes various farm-related industries, such as flowers, plants, produce, livestock and lumber. Some agricultural products are ready for use as-is from nature, while others are processed to create secondary products.
As agricultural companies and operations strive to feed more people for a smaller cost, the industry sees new trends:

• Genetic modification to keep desired traits in their animals and crops
• GPS technology to aid planting and animal tracking
• More niche markets such as organic farming and naturally raised meat

Some other influences in the agriculture industry include the prices of commodities and the weather conditions, as the climate determines what a region can produce.

As the world’s population increases, there is a magnified need for more food, meaning food production must expand. The emphasis on expedited food production causes issues with:

• Environmental impact: Several factors have led to higher crop yields, including pesticides, plant breeding, fertilizers, agronomy and technology developments. However, many of these practices have harmed the environment through global warming, deforestation and environmental degradation. Burning fossil fuels to operate farm machinery contributes to air pollution.
• Animal welfare: Technology improvements and modern practices in selective breeding have increased meat output. This high output, in some cases, harms animal welfare. Vast numbers of livestock cause air pollution, and the animals may be raised in a manner that harms their health. Industrial meat production practices may also contribute to growth hormones and antibiotic resistance.
• Resource depletion: Farming operations have become more industrialized with inventions such as agricultural machinery, automatic irrigation systems and mechanized feedlots.
• Food waste: The farming industry causes much food waste during food production, distribution, storage, consumption, processing and handling.
• Urban development: More people than ever live in urban areas far from the food sources located in rural regions. As urban areas continue growing, farmers face pressure from communities and developers to sell their land.
• Land management: Planting the same crop in the same field each year depletes the soil of its nutrients, which harms the crops. Rotating crops like soybeans, wheat and corn in the field naturally replenishes the soil. Dispersing cover crops promotes predator insects that manage pests and prevents weed propagation.

ISO certifications for the farming industry help farming operations use efficient and sustainable practices from farm to fork. These regulations cover many key areas in farming, including irrigation, GPS tools, animal welfare, agricultural machinery, sustainable farm management and effective farming methods. This variety encompasses aspects of agriculture key to farmers, consumers and regulators, so all three parties benefit from farming ISO certifications.
Compliance to farming industry standards results in these benefits:

• Ensures quality and safety: Agriculture industry standards promote the best practices in the industry for an honest supply chain and quality food products.
• Fosters environmental management: Farming ISO certifications help you manage your environmental impact by creating and implementing sustainable methods. Your farming operation can be a leader in promoting eco-friendly processes in an industry often cited for its environmental harm.
• Facilitates global trade: Agriculture and farming industry standards outline practices internationally deemed to be the best, plus specifications for various agricultural processes. This standardization ensures a seamless process and provides a common language for more opportunities for cross-border trade.
• Increases market options: Since agriculture ISO certifications promote trade, end customers will have more options to choose from, and those options will be of higher quality.
• Meets requirements: Farming ISO certifications will help your business meet industry and legal standards by implementing quality control tools and benchmarks for all aspects of your operations, including machinery, materials used and traceability. Since the ISO standards are written by international experts, they will meet public policy standards.