Agricultural Productivity and Producer Behavior
Agricultural Productivity and Producer Behavior

Author: Wolfram Schlenker

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 2019-11-13

Total Pages: 316

ISBN-13: 022661980X

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Agricultural yields have increased steadily in the last half century, particularly since the Green Revolution. At the same time, inflation-adjusted agricultural commodity prices have been trending downward as increases in supply outpace the growth of demand. Recent severe weather events, biofuel mandates, and a switch toward a more meat-heavy diet in emerging economies have nevertheless boosted commodity prices. Whether this is a temporary jump or the beginning of a longer-term trend is an open question. Agricultural Productivity and Producer Behavior examines the factors contributing to the remarkably steady increase in global yields and assesses whether yield growth can continue. This research also considers whether agricultural productivity growth has been, and will be, associated with significant environmental externalities. Among the topics studied are genetically modified crops; changing climatic factors; farm production responses to government regulations including crop insurance, transport subsidies, and electricity subsidies for groundwater extraction; and the role of specific farm practices such as crop diversification, disease management, and water-saving methods. This research provides new evidence that technological as well as policy choices influence agricultural productivity.

Agriculture, Climate Change and Food Security in the 21st Century
Agriculture, Climate Change and Food Security in the 21st Century

Author: Lewis H. Ziska

Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing

Published: 2018-01-23

Total Pages: 298

ISBN-13: 1527506819

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With the global adoption of the “green revolution” in the 1970s; the long historical legacy of agriculture’s boom and bust cycle seemed – finally – to be put on hold. It appeared as though the apocalyptic nightmare of famine had been vanquished. However, now, man-made climate change poses a new and immediate crisis – from Syria to South Sudan – how do we feed the 10 billion people likely to inhabit the planet by 2050? How do we continue to feed, sustainably, the 7.5 billion of us that are already here? How do we do so in a climate that is becoming increasing hostile to food security? This book explores the history of agriculture, and the threat that climate change imposes for all aspects of our “daily bread”. While these challenges are severe and significant, it argues that we are not without hope, and offers a wide range of solutions, from polyculture farming to feminism that can, when applied, lead to a better future for humankind.

Agriculture, Climate Change and Food Security in the 21st Century
Agriculture, Climate Change and Food Security in the 21st Century

Author: Lewis H. Ziska

Publisher:

Published: 2017-12

Total Pages: 286

ISBN-13: 9781527503144

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With the global adoption of the green revolution in the 1970s; the long historical legacy of agricultures boom and bust cycle seemedfinallyto be put on hold. It appeared as though the apocalyptic nightmare of famine had been vanquished. However, now, man-made climate change poses a new and immediate crisisfrom Syria to South Sudanhow do we feed the 10 billion people likely to inhabit the plant by 2050? How do we continue to feed, sustainably, the 7.5 billion of us that are already here? How do we do so in a climate that is becoming increasing hostile to food security? This book explores the history of agriculture, and the threat that climate change imposes for all aspects of our daily bread. While these challenges are severe and significant, it argues that we are not without hope, and offers a wide range of solutions, from polyculture farming to feminism that can, when applied, lead to a better future for humankind.

Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century
Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2010-07-25

Total Pages: 598

ISBN-13: 0309148960

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In the last 20 years, there has been a remarkable emergence of innovations and technological advances that are generating promising changes and opportunities for sustainable agriculture, yet at the same time the agricultural sector worldwide faces numerous daunting challenges. Not only is the agricultural sector expected to produce adequate food, fiber, and feed, and contribute to biofuels to meet the needs of a rising global population, it is expected to do so under increasingly scarce natural resources and climate change. Growing awareness of the unintended impacts associated with some agricultural production practices has led to heightened societal expectations for improved environmental, community, labor, and animal welfare standards in agriculture. Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century assesses the scientific evidence for the strengths and weaknesses of different production, marketing, and policy approaches for improving and reducing the costs and unintended consequences of agricultural production. It discusses the principles underlying farming systems and practices that could improve the sustainability. It also explores how those lessons learned could be applied to agriculture in different regional and international settings, with an emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. By focusing on a systems approach to improving the sustainability of U.S. agriculture, this book can have a profound impact on the development and implementation of sustainable farming systems. Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century serves as a valuable resource for policy makers, farmers, experts in food production and agribusiness, and federal regulatory agencies.

Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity in the United States
Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity in the United States

Author: Peter Backlund

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 2009-05

Total Pages: 250

ISBN-13: 143791098X

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This report by the Nat. Science and Tech. Council¿s U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) is part of a series of 21 reports aimed at providing current assessments of climate change science to inform public debate, policy, and operational decisions. These reports are also intended to help the CCSP develop future program research priorities. The CCSP¿s guiding vision is to provide the Nation and the global community with the science-based knowledge needed to manage the risks and capture the opportunities associated with climate and related environmental changes. This report assesses the effects of climate change on U.S. land resources, water resources, agriculture, and biodiversity. It was developed with broad scientific input. Illus.

Global Warming and Agriculture
Global Warming and Agriculture

Author: William R Cline

Publisher: Columbia University Press

Published: 2007-07-30

Total Pages: 203

ISBN-13: 0881324809

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How will global warming affect developing countries, which rely heavily on agriculture as a source of economic growth? William Cline asserts that developing countries have more at risk, such as their production capacity, than industrial countries as global warming worsens. Using general circulation models, Cline boldly examines 2071–99 to forecast the effects of global warming and its economic impact into the next decade. This detailed study outlines existing studies on climate change; Cline finds the Stern Report for the UK government's estimates most reliable; estimates projected changes in temperature, precipitation, and agricultural capacity; and concludes with policy recommendations. Cline finds that agricultural production in developing countries may fall an average of 16 percent, and if global warming progresses at its current rate, India's agricultural capacity could fall as much as 40 percent. Thus, policymakers should address this phenomenon now before the world's developing countries are adversely and irreversibly affected.

Increasing Climate Variability and Change
Increasing Climate Variability and Change

Author: James Salinger

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2005-12-06

Total Pages: 359

ISBN-13: 1402041667

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This book reviews the latest assessments of climate variability and climate change, and their impacts on agriculture and forestry, and recommends appropriate adaptation strategies for reducing the vulnerability of agriculture and forestry to climate variability and climate change. Among other solutions, the text offers management strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from different agroecosystems, and proposes the use of seasonal climate forecasts to reduce climate risk.