Economic losses from soil degradation in agricultural area in Albania

Agim Binaj, Pirro Veizi, Enkeleida Beqiraj, Fran Gjoka and Elian Kasa
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Agim Binaj: Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
Pirro Veizi: Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
Enkeleida Beqiraj: Polytecnic University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
Fran Gjoka: Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
Elian Kasa: Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania

Agricultural Economics, 2014, vol. 60, issue 6, 287-293

Abstract: Soildegradationis aserious and widespread problemin Albania. Itmanifests itselfin manyformsandcauses arange ofeffects. The aim of this study was to analyze the economic losses from soil erosion and compaction in relationship to agriculture in Albania. On-site effects of these two degradative processes affect farmers directly through reducingproductionand increasingthe costsof farming. Calculation ofeconomic losses was performed by using the replacement and lost production methods. According to our assessments, the wheat and maize yield losses due to the soil compaction are112 164 tons or US$ 40.2 million, and the plant nutrient losses due to the water erosion are 69 609 tons or US$ 98million. Economic losses from the erosion and compaction in the agricultural area in Albania are at least US$ 138.2 million per year or about 5.5% of the agricultural GDP. Based on the assessed economic losses from soil degradation, it can be concluded that the soil conservation in Albania is economically viable.

Keywords: nutrient loss; replacement cost; soil compaction; soil erosion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnlage:v:60:y:2014:i:6:id:12-2013-agricecon

DOI: 10.17221/12/2013-AGRICECON

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