A farm-level case study of sustainable agricultural production

Abstract

Both economic and environmental effects of agricultural production systems and their relationships need to be understood in order to prescribe recommendations for economically and environmentally sustainable agricultural production systems. Microeconomic level analysis is necessary to understand such economic-environmental relationships at various aggregation levels. Goals for sustainable development include environmental integrity, economic efficiency, and equity including present and future generations and cultural issues (Young). Integration of natural resources into the framework of economic theory is a prerequisite for environmental policy (Opschoor and van der Straaten). Sustainability is intimately connected with the issue of justice, rights, and obligations. Moral and ethical constraints to a policy prescription must always be recognized and acknowledged. Inter-generational equity considerations are more easily met for individuals and communities who believe that, while they have a right to consume existing resources, they also have an obligation to act as stewards for future generations. Nonpoint source pollution from agriculture is a major contributor to water contamination. An increasing concern is the economic and environmental consequences of soil erosion and nitrate leaching. Both soil erosion and nitrate leaching have received much attention due to losses in productivity, sedimentation associated with soil erosion and health risks associated with nitrate …