Economic Analysis of Soil and Moisture Management on Marginal Croplands

Walter R. Butcher and John C. Day

No 344802, Miscellaneous Publications from United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

Abstract: A linear programming model for a typical dryland farm in the 1000mm rainfall zone of Mali, West Africa indicates that, despite substantial variability in yields due to weather, a "safety-first" condition on staple food production constrains profit maximization only in the case of much smaller than average farms. Tied-ridge cultivation methods will reduce erosion damage, improve food security for small farms, and increase incomes if expected costs and yields are realized. Even without an immediate yield gain, tied-ridge cultivation would be economically justified by the reduction provided in future erosion-caused losses in soil productivity. The paper begins by summarizing the physical characteristics of dryland agriculture in Mali. Next, a brief description of emerging soil- and moisture-conserving technology is provided. Lastly, a whole-farm planning model is presented and initial results of a case study involving the economics of improved resource management are given.

Keywords: Crop Production/Industries; Productivity Analysis; Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies; Research Methods/Statistical Methods; Resource/Energy Economics and Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 33
Date: 1987-10
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uersmp:344802

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.344802

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