Long-term Agricultural Production Research Articles

Implications of pesticide use regulation on soil sustainability in Uganda

Reducing pesticide use has become a goal shared by several countries, Uganda inclusive and a major issue in public policies since the adverse impacts of pesticides on environmental media such as soil and on human health have been clearly demonstrated. The main environmental concerns related to pesticides are soil, water pollution and damage to non-target organisms including plants, birds, wildlife, fish and crops. On one hand, pesticides can control pests and diseases, and increase agricultural productivity, which is essential for food security and economic development. However, the positive effects have proven to be short-lived. Moreover, the indiscriminate and injudicious use of pesticides without proper regulation and awareness, more so by small-scale farmers, can lead to detrimental effects on soil health and long-term sustainability. The challenge is exacerbated by pesticides that can persist in the environment and accumulate in the soil over time, leading to soil degradation. Accordingly, regulation of pesticide use then becomes more critical if the adverse effects of pesticide use are to be mitigated. Indeed, Uganda recognizes the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and the need to regulate pesticide use to protect soil health and ensure long-term agricultural productivity. This is manifested in the existing regulatory framework on pesticide use, although challenges and threats to soil sustainability still abound especially from the highly fragmented and sectoral-based approaches. This paper examines the implications of pesticide use regulation on soil sustainability in Uganda, a country heavily reliant on agriculture for food security and economic growth. Suggestions are proffered on some interventions that align with soil sustainability.

Assessing Soil Nutrient Content and Mapping in Tropical Tamil Nadu, India, through Precursors IperSpettrale Della Mission Applicative Hyperspectral Spectroscopy

Remote sensing techniques are capable of mapping soil nutrient concentrations and preparing soil maps for long-term agricultural productivity and food security. Recently, hyperspectral imaging techniques have been widely used to quantify and map nitrogen levels in the soil in large areas. In this study, we employed a partial least square regression (PLSR) technique over PRISMA hyperspectral data on part of the Radhapuram area, Tirunelveli District, India to improve the accuracy of estimating soil nutrient levels. The results of the study show that the PLSR prediction accuracy rates using field observations provided the most accurate estimates of soil containing organic carbon (OC), available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK). Soil nutrient predictions were carried out using bands in visible near-infrared and near-infrared regions. Analysis of 150 bands using random analyses provided an R2 value of 0.970 and the PLSR technique performed best while using the combined bands in the VNIR+NIR regions. Based on the analyses, PRISMA hyperspectral images using spectral angle mapper (SAM) image classification provided a better map of the soil consisting of organic carbon. The research findings are important references for the prediction of soil nutrients with high accuracy.

Decision of Straw Deep Burial and Aluminum Sulfate Drip Irrigation in Soda Saline Soil Based on Grey Relation Analysis and TOPSIS Coupling

To investigate the impact of combining aluminum sulfate with straw and irrigation water to enhance soil quality in soda saline–alkali soil, in this study a field experiment was conducted in Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. With beet IM1162 as the indicator crop, four levels of aluminum sulfate dosage (30, 60, 90, 120 g m−2) and four levels of drip irrigation water quota (225, 270, 315, 360 m3 ha−1) were set. The study examined the impact of varying levels of aluminum sulfate and irrigation water on soil water salt and crop yield. Next, using a comprehensive evaluation method, the optimal quantities of aluminum sulfate and irrigation water needed for effective soil improvement were determined. The research findings indicate that the most effective treatment (W2S3) involved an aluminum sulfate dosage of 90 g m−2 and an irrigation quota of 270 m3 ha−1. This treatment resulted in significant improvements compared to the control (CK) group. Specifically, in the 0–50 cm soil layer, the following improvements were observed: the water storage capacity (SWS) increased by 51.7%; evapotranspiration (ET) increased by 16.2%; water use efficiency (WUE) increased by 55.0%; and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) increased by 98.1% (p < 0.05). These results emphasize the importance of optimizing the combination of aluminum sulfate dosage and irrigation water quota to improve soil conditions and crop performance. It is worth nothing that this study highlights the potential for enhancing water use efficiency and crop yield in agricultural practices, which can contribute to sustainable and efficient farming practices. The study results revealed significant improvements in soil quality and crop yield when compared to the control group (CK). Specifically, in the 0–50 cm soil layer: the soil salt content decreased by 19.8%, soil pH increased by 8.7%, and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) decreased by 34.0%. Moreover, the crop yield in the treatment group increased significantly, by 32.1%. These findings indicate the positive impact of the intervention on soil health and agricultural productivity. The study employed the game theory combination weighting method to comprehensively evaluate soil water, salt, and various yield indicators. The results showed that the sustainability weight for crop yield reached 0.116, emphasizing the aim of soil improvement: the sustainable enhancement of crop yield. This approach underscores the importance of balanced soil management practices to ensure long-term agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. The comprehensive evaluation results of grey relation analysis and the TOPSIS coupling model showed that the soil improvement effect score was the highest when the dosage of aluminum sulfate was 61.7–120.0 g m−2, and the irrigation quota was 250.4–319.4 m3 ha−1, which was the recommended range for the local area. The research findings discussed in the provided sources contribute to the theoretical basis for soil improvement in soda–saline–alkali land.

Investigating the Interplay of ICT and Agricultural Inputs on Sustainable Agricultural Production: An ARDL Approach

Sustainable agriculture is an important target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Information and communication technologies (ICT) could be an important instrument to assist developing countries in achieving this goal. This study investigates the short- and long-term effects of ICT-related factors (telephone, Internet, mobile phone use) alongside traditional inputs (agricultural land, labor, fertilizer) on sustainable agricultural production in Bangladesh using an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model from 2000 to 2020. In the short term, telephone use and labor involved in agriculture have a positive impact on agricultural production. Conversely, the influence of internet use, mobile phone use, and agricultural land on agricultural production is negative in the short run. In the long run, these relationships have undergone substantial changes. The positive effects of telephone usage and agricultural labor demonstrate a decreasing trend, but the impacts of Internet usage, mobile phone usage, and total agricultural land display a progressively favorable pattern in the long run. Notably, the use of fertilizers has been found to have a positive impact on long-term agricultural production. This study offers valuable insights into the evolving role of ICT in agricultural sustainability, emphasizing the need for context-specific policy interventions that consider both short- and long-term benefits. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2023-04-04-01 Full Text: PDF

Harmful Impact of Synthetic Fertilizers on Growing Agriculture and Environment

Soil provides essential environmental benefits for life as well as crucial for nutrition and survival of plants. Management of soil health is a critical practice for the preservation of biodiversity and to ensure long-term agricultural production. Scientific management of soil health is an important step for ecosystem sustainability. Some of the important factors like physicochemical and biological parameters that influence soil health. Fertilizers are heavily used in modern farming practices to control unavoidable challenges being faced in Agriculture. Nonetheless, they remain critical tools for global food safety. Sustainable agriculture practices have been used on a global scale by reducing the negative consequences of chemical fertilizers because they drop in soil organic content as well as decline soil quality. They also harden soil, reducing soil fertility, depleting vital soil mineral nutrients, polluting air, water and soil all of which poses serious environmental hazard. Microbial activity in the cropping system has become low due to the application of chemical fertilizers alone. Regular application of chemical fertilizers can alter soil pH, increase resistance in pests, acidification of soil crust resulting in decreased organic matter and stunted plant growth. Hence, Long-term persistence of chemical fertilizers in the soil harms the biodiversity of soil. Present review paper deals with functioning and role of mineral elements in plant growth and development. Various types of organic and synthetic fertilizers are involved in fulfillment of basic needs of plants. Soil with poor nutrient content needs different types of fertilizers for regulation of physiochemical cycle of plants. The literature reviewed information suggested that our agriculture sector has not been dependent on synthetic fertilizers for plant growth and development i.e., directly linked with the crop productivity at industrial level. Chemicals associated synthetic fertilizers have been harmful for plant health and this will lead to drastic health damaging effect on new generations. In this way we again need to focus on development of natural fertilizers with their environmentally friendly inputs and health promoting activity.

Applying IoT Sensors and Big Data to Improve Precision Crop Production: A Review

The potential benefits of applying information and communication technology (ICT) in precision agriculture to enhance sustainable agricultural growth were discussed in this review article. The current technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as their applications, must be integrated into the agricultural sector to ensure long-term agricultural productivity. These technologies have the potential to improve global food security by reducing crop output gaps, decreasing food waste, and minimizing resource use inefficiencies. The importance of collecting and analyzing big data from multiple sources, particularly in situ and on-the-go sensors, is also highlighted as an important component of achieving predictive decision making capabilities in precision agriculture and forecasting yields using advanced yield prediction models developed through machine learning. Finally, we cover the replacement of wired-based, complicated systems in infield monitoring with wireless sensor networks (WSN), particularly in the agricultural sector, and emphasize the necessity of knowing the radio frequency (RF) contributing aspects that influence signal intensity, interference, system model, bandwidth, and transmission range when creating a successful Agricultural Internet of Thing Ag-IoT system. The relevance of communication protocols and interfaces for presenting agricultural data acquired from sensors in various formats is also emphasized in the paper, as is the function of 4G, 3G, and 5G technologies in IoT-based smart farming. Overall, these research sheds light on the significance of wireless sensor networks and big data in the future of precision crop production

Simulation and prediction for the spatial heterogeneity of soil selenium bioavailability at different stratigraphic scales

Stratigraphic lithology strongly influences the spatial heterogeneity of soil available selenium (ASe), however, it is often neglected in regional simulation. Therefore, taking the Jiangjin District, where the soil is richer in selenium (Se), as the research area, the changes of soil ASe at different spatial scales have been simulated by combining Geodetector and three popular models (Multiple linear regression (MLR), Random forest (RF) and BP neural network (BPN)). The results showed that modelling with ‘Formation’ as the spatial scale could reduce the influence of stratum lithology difference on the spatial heterogeneity of soil ASe and improve the model's prediction accuracy. Compared with the MLR (R2 = 0.52, root mean squares error (RMSE) = 13.217 μg kg−1) and BPN (R2 = 0.55, RMSE = 13.79 μg kg−1), the RF (R2 = 0.67, RMSE = 10.85 μg kg−1) exhibited higher R2 and smaller RMSE, and the simulation effect of soil ASe is the best in the Middle Jurassic Shaximiao Formation (J2s). The outcomes of variable importance analysis revealed that soil total selenium (TSe) and soil organic matter (SOM) were the imperative factors for predicting ASe. The scenario simulation prediction showed that in the next 40 years, due to the combined influence of SOM and pH, the content of ASe in soil developed in the J2s would decrease from 40.8 μg kg−1 to 37.8 μg kg−1, a 7.8 percent drop. The main areas of soil ASe loss were in the western farming areas. The ASe content in dry land and paddy fields decreased by 12.0% and 4.9%, respectively. Therefore, long-term agricultural production activities would lead to soil ASe loss. The present results could provide a new scheme for the simulation and prediction of regional soil ASe, which is helpful for scientific planning, utilization of selenium-rich soil resources, and development of regional agricultural economy.

Modeling the Impacts of Soil Management on Avoided Deforestation and REDD+ Payments in the Brazilian Amazon: A Systems Approach

An Integrated Assessment Model (IAM) was employed to develop a Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) and a quantitative model to investigate the changes in land use within the Brazilian Amazon. The process began by creating a theoretical NPF using a ‘systems thinking’ approach. Subsequently, a ‘system dynamic model’ was built based on an extensive review of the literature and on multiple quantitative datasets to simulate the impacts of the NPF, specifically focusing on the conversion of forests into open land for ranching and the implementation of soil management practices as a macro-level policy aimed at preserving soil quality and ranching yields. Various fallow scenarios were tested to simulate their effects on deforestation patterns. The results indicate that implementing fallow practices as a policy measure could reduce deforestation rates while simultaneously ensuring sustainable long-term agricultural productivity, thus diminishing the necessity to clear new forest land. Moreover, when combined with payments for avoided deforestation, such as REDD+ carbon offsets, the opportunity costs associated with ranching land can be utilized to compensate for the loss of gross income resulting from the policy. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the significance of different model variables, revealing that lower cattle prices require resources for REDD+ payments, and vice-versa. The findings indicate that, at the macro level, payments between USD 2.5 and USD 5.0 per MgC ha−1 have the potential to compensate the foregone cattle production from not converting forest into ranching land. This study demonstrates that employing an IAM with a systems approach facilitates the participation of various stakeholders, including farmers and landowners, in policy discussions. It also enables the establishment of effective land use and management policies that mitigate deforestation and soil degradation, making it a robust initiative to address environmental, climate change, and economic sustainability issues.

Irrigated Agriculture as an Adaptation Strategy Against Climate Change: A Review

Agriculture evolved to increase crop productivity and diminish plague effects. As a negative outcome of the human footprint by agriculture and industrialization, overall economic practices have led to substantial alterations in the environment (i.e., greenhouse gas production, elevated atmospheric temperature, more extreme climatic events), collectively known as climate change. The fast-changing environment due to climate change is most common in the tropics, the impacts of this phenomenon are perceived in different regions of the world, where most agricultural activity occurs. These facts reinforce the requirement for diminishing climate change producing activities and implementation of adaptive practices for long-term agricultural productivity and sustainability. Albeit may sound counter-intuitive, agroecological systems and traditional knowledge may provide alternatives to mitigate climate change effects in the context of agriculture. This review comprehensively describes the development of irrigated agriculture, major effects of climate change on irrigation, and further explores alternative practices stemming from agroecological systems or traditional knowledge, which could improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. Among some strategies, it is proposed to establish climate risk planning, agricultural producers must modify the application of their inputs to adjust to the new water and thermal requirements; implement conservation techniques to reduce the loss of soil moisture and thus ensure the development of crops in a drier and warmer environment as indicated by climate change projections. Likewise, the implementation of varieties tolerant to water stress is one more adaptation action that would allow continuing cultivating in lower regions, where the largest irrigated area is concentrated and which would receive the greatest impact from an increase in temperature. In this way, it will be necessary to implement new approaches, technologies and policies to learn from the past, following the new climate scenarios, conserving and making rational use of natural resources.

Longitudinal Principal Component and Cluster Analysis of Azerbaijan’s Agricultural Productivity in Crop Commodities

Understanding long-term agricultural productivity is essential for designing agricultural policies, planning and targeting other economic policies (e.g., industrial policy), and managing agricultural business models. In a developing and oil-rich country such as Azerbaijan, agriculture is among the limited opportunities to diversify oil-based value added and address broad welfare issues, as farmers and agricultural workers account for a large share of total employment and the labor force. However, previous studies have not focused on an empirical assessment of the long-term and subsectoral productivity of crop commodities. Rather, they have used a highly aggregated and short-run perspective, focusing mainly on the impact of the oil sector on agricultural sectors. Here, we applied principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis to identify similarities and differences in the productivity of specific crop commodities (e.g., cotton, tea, grains, tobacco, hay, fruits, and vegetables) between 1950 and 2021. We show that some crops are similar in terms of their variation, growth rates, and transition from the Soviet era to the post-Soviet period. Although the dynamics of change are different for food and non-food crops and for high- and low-productive commodities, it is still possible to narrow down specific subsectors that could reach the same productivity levels. This helps map out the productivity levels of crop commodities over time and across different subsectors, allowing for better policy decisions and resource allocation in the agricultural sector. In addition, we argue about some outlier commodities and their backward status despite extensive government support. Our results provide a common basis for policymakers and businesses to focus specifically on productivity and profitability from an economic standpoint.

Preface

THE 2ND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SUSTAINABILITY (THE 2ND ICAFOSY): GENDER AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENTAgricultural development is a kind of resource management effort that uses environmentally friendly approaches to ensure long-term agricultural production capacity and improve farmers’ welfare. Natural resource differences indicate diversity in their management in order to meet the sustainability of providing products for humans and development. A lack of clarity in defining the type or characteristics of the resource, as well as an error in managing it, will result in resource damage, if not destruction.In the current era of globalization, inequity in human access to natural resources and agricultural land is also a source of concern. There are significant gender inequalities in the implementation of access to land resource management in terms of rewarding women for the roles they play in resource conservation, utilization, and preservation, as well as the sustainability of the results. Women have a strong bond with nature. They have more interaction with the environment and natural resources as household managers. Pollution directly affects women and children.The existence of global events globally affected human life in meeting their daily needs on natural resources, and this is why the Laboratory of Rural Sociology and Community Empowerment, Department of Socio-Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Brawijaya held an International Conference titled “The 2nd International Conference on Agriculture and Food Sustainability (The 2nd ICAFOSY): Gender and Sustainable Agriculture Development.”The conference was held in a hybrid format on the 17th and 18th of October 2022 at the Grand Mercure Malang hotel because conditions and situations were not completely normal after the pandemic. Besides, it provides an ideal forum for discussing the state of natural resource management, particularly in the agricultural sector, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as an overview of the critical role of women and men in managing Natural Resources, particularly in the agricultural sector.ChairpersonDr. Asihing Kustanti, S. Hut, M. Si.List of Committees are available in this pdf.

Evaluation of various blended fertilizer types and rates for better maize (Zea mays) crop production in Yeki woreda, Sheka Zone, South West Ethiopia

Appropriate fertilization methods for a particular crop based on real limiting nutrients and crop demands are cost-effective and wise utilization of fertilizers for long-term agricultural productivity. An experiment was done to assess alternative fertilizer types and rates for better maize production during main cropping season of 2018 and 2019. The fertilizers were set depending on the study area's limiting nutrients, which include NPS and NPSB at various rates. There are seven treatments in the experiment: (1)no fertilizer; (2) NPS: 69N, 54P2O5, 10S; (3) NPS: 92N, 72P2O5, 13S; (4) NPS: 115N, 90P2O5, 17S; (5) 69N, 54P2O5, 10S, 1.05B NPSB; (6) 92N, 72P2O5, 13S, 1.4B NPSB and (7) 115N, 90P2O5, 17S, 1.7B NPSB. Treatments were placed out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times on two farmers' fields. The study showed that using NPS mixed fertilizer had a substantial impact on maize output when compared to the control. Treatment 2 (NPS; 69N, 54p2o5, 10S) yielded significantly greater maize yield over control at (P<0.05). Similarly, with an appropriate marginal rate of return (128.2%), treatment 2 (NPS; 69N, 54P2O5, 10S) had the largest net benefit (30908.5 ETB/ha). As a result, maize producers in the area of study should use NPS with the nutrient ratios of 69N, 54P2O5 and 10S. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12(2): 56-59, December 2022

Water allocation using ecological and agricultural value of water

Although wetlands are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the world, they are under threat due to human activities and agricultural developments. The economic value of ecosystem services, including provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services, provides a quantitative basis for the sustainable management of water resources systems. Moreover, ignoring the economic value of ecosystem services in the management of water resources systems can lead to a critical degradation not only in the ecosystem health but also in the long-term agricultural production. In this study, the total economic value of the water resources system is calculated as the summation of the economic value of the wetland's ecosystem services and agricultural production. A simulation-optimization approach is developed for hydro-economic planning at basin scale and designing environmental flow based on wetland's ecosystem services. The objective function is the total economic value of the system and the design variables include the cultivation area of agricultural sectors and environmental flow for the wetland. The optimal water allocation solution would result in 2048 billion rials that is 67 % from agriculture and 33 % from wetland ecosystem services. The results show that considering the value of wetland ecosystem services along with economic water use such as agriculture, in addition to increasing the total economic value, can result in an effective water allocation that satisfies the wetland's environmental requirements and leads to healthy and optimal planning at the basin.

Higher landscape diversity associated with improved crop production resilience in Kansas-USA

Cropland expansion and agriculture intensification have been the primary methods to increase food production since the 19th century. The resulting landscape simplification, however, can impede long-term agricultural crop productivity. This paper examines the role of landscape diversification on resilience of corn, soy, and winter wheat production, in terms of crop yield and yield variability, in the state of Kansas. The study uses panel data analysis with county fixed effects and time trends to estimate the relationship between landscape diversity and crop production resilience. Results show that diversity has a significant positive effect on yields after controlling for weather, irrigation, and chemical inputs. We find that the yields of winter wheat increase, on average, by 28% at high levels of landscape diversity, while corn and soy yields increase 7% and 5%, respectively. In addition, we find that increases in landscape diversity are significantly associated with reduced yield variability for winter wheat and corn, and that landscape diversity mitigates the effect of extreme weather conditions on yield. Study findings suggest that within a single, relatively low diversity state, increasing landscape diversity is positively associated with crop production resilience. Future extreme climate conditions may reduce crop yields and yield stability, requiring appropriate policies to ensure food security. Our findings suggest that landscape diversification may be an important tool within a portfolio of approaches to increase crop resilience under highly variable weather conditions.

Socio-Economic Factors Affecting the Perception of Farmers towards Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme in Rayalaseema Region of Andhra Pradesh

Soil is an important component of farming since it delivers nutrients to the plants. Soil health is critical for ensuring long-term agricultural production. “National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) was implemented during 12th Plan with the objective of making agriculture more productive, sustainable and climate resilient. Conserving natural resources, to adopt comprehensive soil health management practices and optimize utilization of water resources are also objectives of NMSA. As a part of comprehensive soil health management Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme was started by the Department of Agriculture & Co-operation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. Soil test-based nutrient management has emerged as a key issue in efforts to increase agricultural productivity and production, because optimal nutrient use, based on soil analysis, can improve crop productivity and minimize wastage of these nutrients, minimizing environmental impact and leading to bias through optimal production. Governments do efforts towards these through Soil Health Cards. The present study was conducted in Anantapuramu district of Andhra Pradesh in view of assessing the socio economic factors influencing the perception level of the farmers on Soil Health Card scheme. Results revealed that there was a positive and significant relationship of perception towards SHC scheme with respect to education, land holding, mass media exposure, social participation, extension contact, scientific orientation, economic motivation, risk orientation, innovativeness, management orientation and achievement motivation at 0.01%level of significance, where as cropping intensity at 0.05 %level of significance. Farming experience and family type had a negative and non-significant association with farmers' perceptions of the SHC scheme, whereas age and yearly income had a positive and non-significant relationship with farmers' perceptions of the system.

The long-term impact of the Vietnam War on agricultural productivity

• We examine the long-term effects of the Vietnam War on agricultural productivity. • We use bombing intensity data and data on the intensity of Agent Orange. • Increase in bombing and Agent Orange intensity decreases rice and total agricultural productivity. • The adverse effect of the Vietnam War on agricultural productivity decreases over time. • Economic production and social capital are channels of influence. We present causal evidence of the long-term effects of the Vietnam War on household agricultural productivity. Using bombing intensity data and data on the intensity of Agent Orange and other chemical agents used during the War, we find that spatial differences in the intensity of the War can help explain differences in long-term household agricultural productivity. Our endogeneity-corrected estimates suggest that, in the long-term, a 10% increase in bombing intensity decreases rice productivity by 2.94% and total agricultural productivity by 3.21%. Results from a fuzzy regression discontinuity design suggest that Agent Orange intensity also had a negative effect on rice productivity. We find that economic production is a channel through which the intensity of bombing and Agent Orange have adversely affected long-term agricultural productivity, while social capital is a channel through which Agent Orange is linked to lower long-term agricultural productivity.

Global Assessment of Agricultural Productivity Losses from Soil Compaction and Water Erosion.

To guide us toward a sustainable future, the impacts of human activities on natural resources need to be understood and quantified. In this study on global agriculture, we use a Life Cycle Assessment framework to estimate potential long-term soil productivity losses caused by soil compaction and water erosion due to agricultural crop production. We combine several data sets to model spatially resolved Life Cycle Inventory information at the global level and multiply results with characterization factors from a previous publication. The global picture shows a compaction-stressed "Global North" and an erosion-stressed "Global South", with some countries and regions in between, for example, China and parts of South America. Results show that both compaction and water erosion impacts matter at the global level and that overall potential long-term productivity losses of 10-20% can be expected, with high relative impacts on low input production systems. These losses might limit long-term agricultural productivity and lead to additional land use change. Our work adds to and extends the discussion of global assessments of soil degradation. Furthermore, we prove the suggested framework to be applicable and useful for Life Cycle Assessments and other studies and provide results that can be used in such global assessments.

Long-term Agricultural Productivity and Religious Conflict:Evidence from India

ABSTRACT This paper studies the association between agricultural productivity and religious riots in a setting of an abrupt productivity increase in India. I find heterogeneity in the impacts of the gains across different crop regions. Crop cultivation methods determine the differential allocation of labour to the conflict and agricultural sectors. I show that in the labour-intensive rice growing regions there was a decline in conflict while in the capital-intensive wheat growing regions there was not.

A review on effect of pesticide and fertilizer

For long-term agricultural productivity and biodiversity sustainability, soil conservation quality is essential. In today's agriculture, chemicals and fertilizers are unavoidable. Those negative effects must be addressed, especially when justified agriculture is the main objective, despite the fact that they are still important advantages for universal food security. The chemicals usedas fertilizers & pesticides remains in soil and have been shown toward impair earth soil value by destroying soils microorganisms. Soil micro-flora is an important component of agriculture-based settings because it serves to increase mud fertility & crop production while also controlling basic soil process. The microorganisms in the soil have long been used as bio-indicators of soil activity and quality. Aside from the specific impacts of the pesticide & fertilizer, such as poisonous-ness & modification in soil's substrates availability profile, these variables results in an indirect shifting in the soil micro-flora inhabitants dynamics. In this paper, long-term effects of the fertilizer and pesticide are discussed and use on the cultivated mud micro-flora in term of the soil quality & viability, toxicity factors, and soil persistence, as well as the potential for chemical pesticide and fertilizer alternatives in coming future such that less damage to soil & environment.

Assessing the consequences of policy measures on long-term agricultural productivity – Quantification for Flanders

Abstract Policy can influence the long-term agricultural resource productivity by stimulating/discouraging farmers to apply certain land use practices (LUP), as LUPs may affect the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock, hence influencing crop productivity. We introduce six policy strategies, each characterized by its own mix of LUPs, for the Flemish agricultural sector. Three strategies reveal the impact of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the past, while others reflect the potential of the CAP and the application of compost. We use the life cycle impact assessment indicators ‘SOC change’ and ‘biomass productivity loss’, which account for the impact of LUPs on SOC and yield, to assess the effects on long-term productivity. To avoid burden shifting, also the resource footprint is calculated. Several farm management systems (FMS) are distinguished, each characterized by a specific combination of farm type, agricultural region, rotation system and manure type. The results highlight that policies such as the CAP significantly contribute to a better SOC stock and (to a lesser extent) productivity. Furthermore, applying extra compost seems to be promising: it can result in an increasing resource productivity and reduced resource footprint. It is important to consider the resource footprint as only for one strategy the resource consumption outweighs the benefit (i.e. reduction in N fertilizer) in the short or medium term, while also being beneficial in terms of resource productivity. As the results differ per FMS, a differentiated approach is advisable when specific LUPs are stimulated in the context of sustainable farming.