Effects of sustainable farming systems on agricultural eco-economy in China
1994
Qu, Futian | Wu, Jianjun | Zhang, Renwu (Nanjing Agricultural Univ., Nanjing 210014 (China). Coll. of Economics and Trade)
Agriculture in China has been searching for the way to meet increasing demand for food while at the same time giving consideration to sustainability. This paper shows an evaluation method with which the effects of sustainable farming system (SFS) on the agricultural environment and economy in China can be evaluated. A multi-criteria Evaluation Model of Sustainable Farming System (MEMSFS) was developed for different regions at different levels, in which integrated index of eco-economics benefits, derived from the different indicator groups through the "integrating blocks" treatment of indicator weights, measures the sustainability of farming systems. The model is successfully employed to determine the indicator weights of ecological, economic and social benefits in nine main agricultural regions of China, and to evaluate two types of SFSs, one is at county level another at village level. The results indicate that SFSs have been having significant positive effects on both the agricultural environment and rural economy especially in food security, poverty allleviation, rural employment and soil conservation. In most cases, ecological goals and socio-economic goals have been integrated successfully and ecological, economic and social benefits have improved simultaneously. In some cases, although the short-term economic benefits are not significant, after the improvement of ecological base the long-term benefits will be ecological, economic as well as social. The possible application of the MEMSFS model in other developing area is explored. This paper further discusses remaining problems confronting SFS in China and options for future development
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