Sustainable Agriculture Ideology: Economic and Environmental Tradeoffs

Dana L. Hoag, Mike Doherty and Fritz Roka

No 259523, Archive from North Carolina State University, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Abstract: An example is developed to show that the loose ideological definition that describes sustainable agriculture may mask conflicting objectives. A nebulous definition supports wider support but also leads to inefficient use of research and training resources. A popular goal, environmental quality, is defined in terms of measurable objectives: soil erosion, pesticide leaching, pesticide runoff, and excess nitrogen. Restrictions on these environmental pollutants had very different impacts on profits, and sometimes restricting one increased another. Greater success in improving the environment and in research accountability will be realized as supporters set priories for objectives. Economists can provide information that will help to set priories for these objectives.

Keywords: Agricultural and Food Policy; Environmental Economics and Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 29
Date: 1991-09-01
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:ncarar:259523

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.259523

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