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Green Technologies for a More Sustainable Agriculture

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  • Hrubovcak, James
  • Vasavada, Utpal
  • Aldy, Joseph E.

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Hrubovcak, James & Vasavada, Utpal & Aldy, Joseph E., 1999. "Green Technologies for a More Sustainable Agriculture," Agricultural Information Bulletins 33721, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uersab:33721
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.33721
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    2. Brodt, Sonja & Klonsky, Karen & Tourte, Laura, 2006. "Farmer goals and management styles: Implications for advancing biologically based agriculture," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 89(1), pages 90-105, July.
    3. Lohr, Luanne & Park, Timothy A., 2002. "Choice of insect management portfolios by organic farmers: lessons and comparative analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(1), pages 87-99, November.
    4. Mitchell, Paul D., 2004. "Nutrient Best Management Practice Insurance and Farmer Perceptions of Adoption Risk," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 36(3), pages 657-673, December.
    5. Intarapapong, Walaiporn & Hite, Diane & Hudson, Darren, 2002. "The Economic And Environmental Impacts Of Variable Rate Fertilizer Application: The Case Of Mississippi," Research Reports 15801, Mississippi State University, Department of Agricultural Economics.
    6. Lohr, Luanne & Park, Timothy A., 2002. "Promoting Sustainable Insect Management Strategies: Learning From Organic Farmers," Faculty Series 16650, University of Georgia, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.
    7. Emma Brush, 2020. "Inconvenient truths: pluralism, pragmatism, and the need for civil disagreement," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 10(2), pages 160-168, June.
    8. Alessandro Banterle & Stefanella Stranieri, 2013. "Sustainability Standards and the Reorganization of Private Label Supply Chains: A Transaction Cost Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(12), pages 1-17, December.

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