Can economic and environmental benefits associated with agricultural intensification be sustained at high population densities? A farm level empirical analysis

Abstract

Boserup’s pioneering theory holds that rising population density can be accompanied by sustainable agricultural intensification. But can this positive relationship be sustained indefinitely, or are there conditions under which rising population density can lead to declining agricultural productivity? This study utilizes survey data on farm households in Kenya and soil samples on their main maize plots to assess whether Boserupian agricultural intensification is sustainable at high population densities. The study employs econometric estimation methods to assess the effect of land management practices and population density on soil quality and then determines the effect of soil quality on crop productivity. Results show evidence of endogenous sustainable agricultural intensification accompanied by improvements in soil quality and crop yields at low population densities. However, as population densities exceed roughly 600 persons/km2, we observe a deterioration in indicators of soil organic and reactive carbon, soil pH, and plant available phosphorous. Deterioration in soil quality leads to binding nutrient constraints associated with reduced crop yield response to inorganic fertilizer application that further reduces crop productivity. These results raise the specter of unsustainable forms of agricultural intensification associated with deteriorating soil capital, and point to the imperative of identifying and implementing effective strategies for increasing farmers’ use of sustainable land management practices in rural areas facing already high and rising population densities.

Effects of drip and alternate furrow method of irrigation on cotton yield and physical water productivity: A case study from farmers’ field of Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, India

“…supply less than optimum (deficit) irrigation (Li et al, 2017;Montoya et al, 2017;Fucang et al, 2015;Zafar et al, 2020). Massive output return of agricultural production can be achieved by maintaining environmental quality and efficiently managing inputs practising like irrigation scheduling and efficient use of fertilizer (Macintosh et al, 2019;Willy et al, 2019). Similar results were also observed in the study area.…”

Prospects for Agricultural Sustainable Intensification: A Review of Research

“…[72] Central Andes region climate change, planting disturbances, over grazing, mining activities. [89] Eastern and southern Africa plot market access, agricultural extension services, information scarcity, technology adoption. [26] Eastern and western Kenya farmer gender differences, technology gaps, market access, land quality, credit opportunities, extension services.…”

“…Being widely promoted as a model to achieve agricultural sustainable intensification in mountainous areas, agroforestry complex management is regarded as a solution to the emerging problems of reduced fallow time and land degradation [108]. In the plateau regions, as a key component of agro-ecosystems, exploring ways to protect and restore ecosystem services is the key to realize agricultural sustainable intensification [88,89]. The research on rice production in the North China Plain of China shows that precise management techniques of nitrogen fertilizer increase rice yield by 2-3 times and reduce production's negative impact on the environment at the same time, thus providing a reference for agricultural sustainable intensification [1].…”

Determinants of smallholder commercialization of livestock: A case study from Tigray, Ethiopia

“…A literature review shows contradictory proof of factors impacting the marketing of livestock markets, such as environmental, political, human, and institutional influences. The actual marketing limitations require small densities of the rural population (Willy et al, 2019), remoteness from the major metropolitan business centers, and weak road networks, resulting in high travel costs (Tarekegn et al, 2017). Improved road networks and marketing infrastructure such as holding facilities may encourage farmers' commercialization in livestock markets (Sehar, 2018), though the effects in some country studies are not significant (Muzzo & Provenza, 2018).…”