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What will be required to guarantee the sustainability of U.S. agriculture in the 21st century?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

Michael R. Dicks
Michael R. Dicks
Affiliation:
Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078.
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Abstract

The increased effort by Congress to reduce agriculture's adverse consequences on the environment has been focused almost entirely on changing agricultural production practices at the farm level Because the agricultural sector is highly integrated, attempts to change a specific industry within the sector, such as production, input supply, or processing, may have undesirable effects. Programs designed to achieve society's environmental objectives by forcing change in agricultural production practices will lead to increased frustration, new programs and regulations, and further conflict between society and farmers. To guarantee sustainability of U.S. agriculture into the next century, efforts to incorporate new social needs into production agriculture should include changes in the research agendas of public and private institutions, marketing grades and standards, and the institutions that support the agricultural producer.

Keywords

sustainable agriculturefood securityproperty rightsenvironmental regulationsweed science
Type
Commentary
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , December 1992 , pp. 190 - 195
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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