To all those with an interest in 'sustainable agriculture';
(in this context sustainable agriculture means more than just organic
agriculture, it also encompasses making existing 'traditional'
agricultural systems more sustainable.)
What I am seeking is discussion on the following topic, as well as
leads to any existing/current or in-progress work on this topic (from
any part of the world).
PROBLEM/ISSUE TO BE ADDRESSED
Considerable biophysical research has been conducted in Australia into
how to alleviate natural resource management problems such as
declining soil fertility, but many potential solutions have not been
adopted. There is emerging recognition that deficiencies in price
signals are a major contributor to inappropriate and non-sustainable
use of depletable resources across Australia . Price (and
profitability) play a central role in providing feedback and
incentives for adoption of technologies and management practices in a
commercial context. Significantly, there has been a recent spate of
development in innovative market based solutions to environmental
problems. These include (voluntary) product description/labelling
systems (e.g. "dolphin friendly" seafood products, CFC free
refrigerators, organically grown produce etc.) as well as market based
regulations (property rights, tradable permits, etc.) All these market
based approaches aim to improve the efficiency of price signals in
linking consumer preferences to commercial investments in more
sustainable production systems and to effect improved social outcomes.
The aim of our project is to:
Increase awareness of current deficiencies in price signals and
feedback mechanisms and Investigate the potential of innovative
market based approaches to integrate sustainability into commercial
activity.
Fiona Scott
Economist
NSW Agriculture
Tamworth Centre for Crop Improvement
RMB 944
Tamworth NSW 2340
Phone: Aust. (067)63 1156 Int'l: 61 67 63 1156
Fax: Aust. (067)63 1222 Int'l: 61 67 63 1222
Email: scottf@agric.nsw.gov.au