Agronomy is a branch of agricultural science concerning the study of soil types, crop types, and the maximization of agricultural production. Agronomists have become increasingly concerned with the issue of sustainable production. Consequently, topics studied include the relative balance of agricultural inputs and outputs, use of irrigation and fertilizer methods, selective breeding of agricultural plants and animals, and the understanding of specific local conditions and empowering local people to maintain healthy agricultural systems.

Generations of farmers have improved their production in a series of small steps; examples include soybeans, rice, and grapes. Further, farmers have developed their use of local knowledge to improve agricultural production. Such systems can prove fragile when faced with internationally sponsored, scientifically based production improvements that fail to take account of this ...