This brochure that was produced within the framework of a contract for the Common research center of the European Commission presents the main principles underlying the concept of the "low input level farming system". “Low Input Farming Systems (LIFS) seek to optimise the management and use of internal production inputs (i.e., on-farm resources)  and to minimise the use of production inputs (i.e., off-farm resources), such as purchased fertilisers and pesticides, wherever and whenever feasible and practicable, to lower production costs, to avoid pollution of surface and groundwater, to reduce pesticide residues in food, to reduce a farmer’s overall risk, and to increase both short- and long- term farm profitability”