Environment-Smart Agriculture and Mapping of Interactions among Environmental Factors at the Farm Level: A Directed Graph Approach

Abstract

Environment-smart agriculture (ESA) aims at sustaining increased agricultural production while limiting negative impacts on the environment. The present study develops an index of composite on-farm environmental impacts (COEI) as a proxy measure to evaluate ESA and validates the index by mapping interactions amongst agriculture related environmental impacts and potential constraints to practice ESA by using the directed graph approach. The cost of mitigation to practice ESA was calculated by estimating the cost of reducing on-farm environmental impacts by using the damage-cost method. The approach was empirically applied to a sample of 317 High Yielding Variety (HYV) rice farms from three intensive rice-growing regions of northwestern Bangladesh. Results showed that the use of chemical pesticides contributed towards higher level of uncertainty in practicing ESA than the use of chemical fertilizers, irrigation and household pollution. The combined effect of the influence from these factor interactions was estimated at 2.3, which falls in the critical region of influence and implies extreme level of uncertainty in practicing ESA. The cost of mitigating negative environmental impacts is higher for the problems of 'decline in soil fertility', 'increases in crop diseases' and 'reduction in fish catch' as compared to other soil and water related impacts. Policy implications include investments in addressing the problems of 'soil fertility decline', 'increases in crop diseases' and 'reduction in fish catch' and raising farmers' awareness on using farm chemicals to promote ESA practices for HYV rice production.

Does agricultural ecology cause environmental degradation? Empirical evidence from Bangladesh

“…Rahman [ 22 ] performed a study to establish an environmentally beneficial technique known as ‘Environment Smart Agriculture’ (ESA). The study used an indicator to exhibit that using chemicals had a positive impact on agricultural produce’s long-term viability and also stated that there had to be an improvement in the farmers' understanding of the use of chemicals in agriculture.…”

Beyond scientific contribution: Assessment of the societal impact of research and innovation to build a sustainable agri-food sector

“…One of the main interventions implies controlling for time, frequency, and dosage of fertilizers (nitrogen N, potassium K, and phosphorous P) (Zhao et al, 2010). Adequate fertilization reduces losses and contamination, while optimizing the consumption of resources (Sabiha and Rahman, 2018). Farmers were encouraged to avoid the excessive use of nitrogen, introducing sufficient amounts of potassium and minimizing the use of seeds.…”

“…The improvement of crops' quality and the nutritional status of soil have a direct impact on the health and well-being of consumers, farmers, and end-users (Rayee et al, 2018;Sabiha and Rahman, 2018); sustainable farming practices would meet consumer needs for food security, food safety, and product quality (Table 8). Moreover, reducing the exposure of rice growers to chemical hazards is identified as another health impact (Rahman, 2003).…”

Assessment of the societal impact of research and innovation in the agri-food sector

“…One of the main interventions is to control for time, frequency, and dosage of fertilizers application (nitrogen N, potassium K, and phosphorous P) (Zhao et al, 2010). The adequate fertilization usage reduces losses and contamination, while optimizing resources´ consumption (Sabiha and Rahman, 2018). Farmers were encouraged to avoid excess use of nitrogen, introduce sufficient amount of potassium, and minimize the use of seeds.…”

“…Improvements of crops´ quality and nutritional status of the soil has a direct impact on the health and well-being of consumers, farmers, and end-users (Rayee et al, 2018;Sabiha and Rahman, 2018). Sustainable rice farming practices would meet consumer needs for food security, food safety, and quality of rice and rice products (table 2.8).…”