A USDA Economic Research Service report, 42 pages in Adobe (.pdf).
http://www.econ.ag.gov/epubs/pdf/aib752/index.htm
It includes some interesting data on adoption of conservation tillage and
IPM, data on wetlands and water pollution, and a large bibliography, among
other things.
Andy
-----Original Message-----
From: Crosby Greg NRE [mailto:GCROSBY@intranet.reeusda.gov]
Sent: Monday, August 02, 1999 2:54 PM
Subject: SDCOUNTIL> ERS Report on Green Tech in Agriculture
Green Technologies for a More Sustainable Agriculture
Green Technologies for a More Sustainable Agriculture. By James
Hrubovcak, Utpal Vasavada, and Joseph Aldy. Resource Economics
Division, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Agriculture Informaiton Bulletin No. 752.
Abstract
For U.S. agriculture to continue along a sustainable path of economic
development, further production increases must be generated by
technologies that are both profitable and more environmentally benign.
In this context, we assess the role of these "green" or sustainable
technologies in steering agriculture along a more sustainable path.
However, the lack of markets for the environmental attributes associated
with green technologies can limit their development. In addition, simply
making a technology available does not mean it will be adopted.
Experience with green technologies such as conservation
tillage,integrated pest management, enhanced nutrient management, and
precision agriculture demonstrates that even when technologies are
profitable, barriers to adopting new practices can limit their
effectiveness.
Keywords: Sustainable agriculture, natural capital, nonrenewable
resources, renewable resources, environmental services, green
technology, integrated pest management, conservation tillage, enhanced
nutrient management, precision agriculture
Contents
Summary
Introduction
I. The Sustainability Issue-Background
II. The Case for a More Sustainable Agriculture
Agricultural Productivity
Soil Erosion
Ground-Water Quantity
Surface-Water Quality
Ground-Water Quality
Wetland Conversion Rates
An Aggregate Assessment for U.S. Agriculture
III. Steering Agriculture in a More Sustainable
Direction-The Role of Green Technologies
Integrated Pest Management
Conservation Tillage
Enhanced Nutrient Management
Precision Agriculture
IV. Can Green Technologies Meet Sustainability
Goals? Impediments to Overcome
Farm Structure
Economic Risk
Heterogeneity of the Resource Base
Other Factors
V. Conclusions
References
Appendix 1-Farm Level Case Studies on Profitability-Environment
Tradeoffs
Appendix 2-Workshop on the Economics of Sustainable Agriculture
ii Green Technologies for a More Sustainable Agriculture/ AIB-752 Economic
Research Service/USDA
Updated: July 6, 1999
http://www.econ.ag.gov/epubs/pdf/aib752/index.htm
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