They support research and extension programs focusing on sustainable agricultural systems. These two ideas do not mean the same thing. The term low input applies to systems that reply less on external, purchased inputs and more on internal resources. Some people add other qualifications to purchased inputs, such as nonrenewable energy and inorganic or synthetic inputs. These qualifications may add clarity in some situations, but they generally add confusion.
Low input conveys a negative impression in various agricultural circles.
To some people, low-input farming means low management, low levels of production, and thus low economic return. Others believe it means abandoning the use of commercial fertilizers and pesticides. Because of the negative connotation of low input and the widespread confusion that the term generates, the emphasis should be on sustainability. Sustainability is a concept with long-term implications. When applied to agriculture, it refers to farming systems that are capable of maintaining their productivity while providing benefits to society indefinitely.