Is Environmentally-friendly Agriculture Less Profitable for Farmers?

Is Environmentally-friendly Agriculture Less Profitable for Farmers? PDF

Author: Susmita Dasgupta

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 28

ISBN-13:

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"Concerns about the sustainability of conventional agriculture have prompted widespread introduction of integrated pest management (IPM), an ecologically-based approach to control of harmful insects and weeds. IPM is intended to reduce ecological and health damage from chemical pesticides by using natural parasites and predators to control pest populations. Since chemical pesticides are expensive for poor farmers, IPM offers the prospect of lower production costs and higher profitability. However, adoption of IPM may reduce profitability if it also lowers overall productivity, or induces more intensive use of other production factors. On the other hand, IPM may actually promote more productive farming by encouraging more skillful use of available resources. Data scarcity has hindered a full accounting of IPM's impact on profitability, health, and local ecosystems.

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education in the Field

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education in the Field PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1991-02-01

Total Pages: 456

ISBN-13: 0309045789

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Interest is growing in sustainable agriculture, which involves the use of productive and profitable farming practices that take advantage of natural biological processes to conserve resources, reduce inputs, protect the environment, and enhance public health. Continuing research is helping to demonstrate the ways that many factorsâ€"economics, biology, policy, and traditionâ€"interact in sustainable agriculture systems. This book contains the proceedings of a workshop on the findings of a broad range of research projects funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The areas of study, such as integrated pest management, alternative cropping and tillage systems, and comparisons with more conventional approaches, are essential to developing and adopting profitable and sustainable farming systems.

Is Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture Less Profitable for Farmers? Evidence on Integrated Pest Management in Bangladesh

Is Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture Less Profitable for Farmers? Evidence on Integrated Pest Management in Bangladesh PDF

Author: Susmita Dasgupta

Publisher:

Published: 2013

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Concerns about the sustainability of conventional agriculture have prompted widespread introduction of integrated pest management (IPM), an ecologically-based approach to control of harmful insects and weeds. IPM is intended to reduce ecological and health damage from chemical pesticides by using natural parasites and predators to control pest populations. Since chemical pesticides are expensive for poor farmers, IPM offers the prospect of lower production costs and higher profitability. However, adoption of IPM may reduce profitability if it also lowers overall productivity, or induces more intensive use of other production factors. On the other hand, IPM may actually promote more productive farming by encouraging more skillful use of available resources. Data scarcity has hindered a full accounting of IPM's impact on profitability, health, and local ecosystems. Using new survey data, the authors attempt such an accounting for rice farmers in Bangladesh. They compare outcomes for farming with IPM and conventional techniques, using input-use accounting, conventional production functions, and frontier production estimation. All of their results suggest that the productivity of IPM rice farming is not significantly different from the productivity of conventional farming. Since IPM reduces pesticide costs with no countervailing loss in production, it appears to be more profitable than conventional rice farming. The interview results also suggest substantial health and ecological benefits. However, externality problems make it difficult for farmers to adopt IPM individually. Without collective adoption, neighbors' continued reliance on chemicals to kill pests will also kill helpful parasites and predators, as well as exposing IPM farmers and local ecosystems to chemical spillovers from adjoining fields. Successful IPM adoption may therefore depend on institutional support for collective action.

Achieving sustainable agricultural practices: From incentives to adoption and outcomes

Achieving sustainable agricultural practices: From incentives to adoption and outcomes PDF

Author: Piñeiro, Valeria

Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst

Published: 2021-02-06

Total Pages: 4

ISBN-13:

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Sustainable agricultural practices enable more efficient use of natural resources, mitigate the impact of agriculture on the environment, and strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change and climate variability. Because these practices usually require substantial effort or resource allocation from farmers, incentives are necessary to support farmer adoption. Despite growing interest, there has been little systematic evaluation of the incentives–adoption–outcome chain—that is, which incentives best promote adoption and which lead to desired sustainability outcomes. This brief presents the results of a literature review that examined (1) uptake agricultural practices under three kinds of incentives, market and nonmarket, regulations, and cross-compliance, and (2) the impact on productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability. Based on this review, it offers a set of seven tested principles to follow in designing and implementing incentives for sustainable agriculture.

Is Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture Less Profitable for Farmers? Evidence on Integrated Pest Management in Bangladesh

Is Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture Less Profitable for Farmers? Evidence on Integrated Pest Management in Bangladesh PDF

Author: Susmita Dasgupta

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 28

ISBN-13:

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Concerns about the sustainability of conventional agriculture have prompted widespread introduction of integrated pest management (IPM), an ecologically-based approach to control of harmful insects and weeds. IPM is intended to reduce ecological and health damage from chemical pesticides by using natural parasites and predators to control pest populations. Since chemical pesticides are expensive for poor farmers, IPM offers the prospect of lower production costs and higher profitability. However, adoption of IPM may reduce profitability if it also lowers overall productivity, or induces more intensive use of other production factors. On the other hand, IPM may actually promote more productive farming by encouraging more skillful use of available resources. Data scarcity has hindered a full accounting of IPM's impact on profitability, health, and local ecosystems.Using new survey data, Dasgupta, Meisner and Wheeler attempt such an accounting for rice farmers in Bangladesh. They compare outcomes for farming with IPM and conventional techniques, using input-use accounting, conventional production functions, and frontier production estimation. All of their results suggest that the productivity of IPM rice farming is not significantly different from the productivity of conventional farming. Since IPM reduces pesticide costs with no countervailing loss in production, it appears to be more profitable than conventional rice farming. The interview results also suggest substantial health and ecological benefits. However, externality problems make it difficult for farmers to adopt IPM individually. Without collective adoption, neighbors' continued reliance on chemicals to kill pests will also kill helpful parasites and predators, as well as exposing IPM farmers and local ecosystems to chemical spillovers from adjoining fields. Successful IPM adoption may therefore depend on institutional support for collective action.This paper - a product of the Infrastructure and Environment Team, Development Research Group - is part of a larger effort in the group to understand the economics of pesticide contamination in developing countries.

Growing Responsibly

Growing Responsibly PDF

Author: Barrett Williams

Publisher: Barrett Williams

Published: 2024-06-27

Total Pages: 74

ISBN-13:

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**Growing Responsibly A Comprehensive Guide to Sustainable Perennial Farming** Dive into the future of agriculture with "Growing Responsibly," an essential eBook designed to transform the way you think about farming. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or just starting out, this guide will walk you through every aspect of perennial crop systems, ensuring your farm thrives both ecologically and economically. **Chapter 1. Introduction to Perennial Crop Systems** Begin your journey with a thorough understanding of what perennial crops are and why they are vital to modern farming. Learn about the long-term benefits and economic viability of adopting these sustainable practices. **Chapter 2. Designing Your Perennial Farm for Sustainability** Discover how to select the best site for your farm, maintain soil health, and implement innovative water management techniques. Explore the importance of biodiversity, appropriate crop selection, and the integration of livestock to enrich your soil naturally. **Chapter 3. Agroforestry Combining Trees and Crops** Master the principles of agroforestry to create a diversified and resilient farming system. Learn how to select tree species that promise both profit and sustainability, and explore different types of agroforestry systems suitable for your needs. **Chapter 4. Implementing Cover Crops for Soil Health** Understand the varieties and benefits of cover crops, and learn how to plan their seasonal implementation to maintain soil health year-round. **Chapter 5. Natural Pest Management** Identify common pests and explore biological control methods to manage them responsibly. Introduce beneficial insects and establish habitats that enhance their presence on your farm. **Chapter 6. Eco-friendly Fertilization Techniques** Delve into organic fertilizers, compost strategies, and nutrient management planning to sustainably meet your farm's fertilization needs. **Chapter 7. Financial Planning for Perennial Crop Farms** Equip yourself with tools to manage initial investments, develop long-term financial projections, and secure funding and grants. **Chapter 8. Marketing Perennial Crops** Learn how to understand your market, create value-added products, and deploy direct marketing strategies to maximize your farm’s profitability. **Chapter 9. Community and Collaborative Efforts** Join farming cooperatives, engage with local communities, and partner with research institutions to build a strong support network. **Chapter 10. Case Studies of Successful Perennial Farms** Gain insights from leading perennial farms, understand lessons learned from failures, and get inspired by the latest innovations in perennial farming. **Chapter 11. Certification and Compliance** Navigate the processes of organic certification, sustainability audits, and agricultural regulations with confidence. **Chapter 12. The Future of Perennial Agriculture** Stay ahead with emerging trends and technologies, learn to adapt to climate change, and advocate for policies supporting sustainable farming. **Chapter 13. Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling** Optimize your harvesting techniques, post-harvest storage solutions, and quality control standards to ensure the best results. **Chapter 14. Integrating Technology for Efficiency** Adapt to smart farming tools, data-driven decision-making, and automation to enhance your farm's efficiency. **Chapter 15. Continuous Learning and Improvement** Stay updated with the latest agricultural research, network with other farmers, and adapt to market and environmental changes for continuous growth. "Growing Responsibly" is your go-to guide for building a sustainable, profitable, and innovative perennial farm. Transform your agricultural practices today and secure the future of farming.

The Conversion to Sustainable Agriculture

The Conversion to Sustainable Agriculture PDF

Author: Stephen R. Gliessman

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2009-12-21

Total Pages: 382

ISBN-13: 1420003593

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With all of the environmental and social problems confronting our food systems today, it is apparent that none of the strategies we have relied on in the pasthigher-yielding varieties, increased irrigation, inorganic fertilizers, pest damage reductioncan be counted on to come to the rescue. In fact, these solutions are now part of the problem. It i

Alternative Agriculture

Alternative Agriculture PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1989-02-01

Total Pages: 465

ISBN-13: 0309039851

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More and more farmers are adopting a diverse range of alternative practices designed to reduce dependence on synthetic chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and antibiotics; cut costs; increase profits; and reduce the adverse environmental consequences of agricultural production. Alternative Agriculture describes the increased use of these new practices and other changes in agriculture since World War II, and examines the role of federal policy in encouraging this evolution, as well as factors that are causing farmers to look for profitable, environmentally safe alternatives. Eleven case studies explore how alternative farming methods have been adoptedâ€"and with what economic resultsâ€"on farms of various sizes from California to Pennsylvania.

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