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A Future for Small Farms? Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture

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  • James Boyce

Abstract

Small farms play a crucial role in conserving the agricultural biodiversity that underpins long-term food security worldwide. Particularly in centers of crop genetic diversity – such as Mesoamerica in the case of maize (corn) and the Andean region in the case of potatoes – small farmers are the ‘keystone species’ in agricultural ecosystems of great value to humankind. Today, however, a formidable nexus of market forces and political forces threatens both small farmers and the biodiversity they sustain. Countervailing public policies are urgently needed. These should include the removal of existing policy biases against small farmers; social recognition of the contribution of in situ conservation to human well-being; development of markets for ‘traditional’ varieties of crops and livestock; the provision of local public goods in areas where farmers cultivate diversity; payments for the environmental service of on-farm conservation; and support for part-time farming as an element of diversified household livelihood strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • James Boyce, 2004. "A Future for Small Farms? Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture," Working Papers wp86, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
    • Handle: RePEc:uma:periwp:wp86
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Flores, Regina & Ney, Luke & Gallagher, Kevin P. & Wise, Timothy A. & Ackerman, Frank, 2003. "Free Trade, Corn, and the Environment: Environmental Impacts of US - Mexico Corn Trade Under NAFTA," Working Papers 15604, Tufts University, Global Development and Environment Institute.
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    5. Keith Griffin, 1999. "Alternative Strategies for Economic Development," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, edition 0, number 978-0-230-59991-8, March.
    6. James Boyce, 1996. "Ecological Distribution, Agricultural Trade Liberalization, and In Situ Genetic Diversity," Published Studies ps14, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
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    Cited by:

    1. Barbara Wieliczko & Agnieszka Kurdyś-Kujawska & Agnieszka Sompolska-Rzechuła, 2020. "Savings of Small Farms: Their Magnitude, Determinants and Role in Sustainable Development. Example of Poland," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Leopoldo Dimas & Susan Kandel & Deborah Barry & Herman Rosa, 2004. "Compensation for Environmental Services and Rural Communities: Lessons from the Americas," Working Papers wp96, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

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