Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 4
AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT
J. VERHAGEN 1 , H. WÖSTEN 2 AND A. DE JAGER 3
1
Agrosystems Research, Plant Research International, Wageningen UR,
e-mail: adrianus.verhagen@wur.nl
2
Soil Science Centre, Alterra, Wageningen UR,
3
International Trade and Development, Agricultural Economics Research Institute,
Wageningen UR
INTRODUCTION
Of the global land area, about 38% is agricultural land of which some 30% is arable
land (faostat.fao.org). The relations between agriculture and the natural environment
are complex. Agriculture is of vital importance to many societies and is the sector
with the most intensive interaction between man and environment. Agriculture has,
by its very nature, a strong impact on the natural environment and the natural environ-
ment sets limits to agricultural production systems. Simply put, changes in agriculture
affect the natural environment and vice versa (De Wit et al. 1987). In this chapter,
we will examine some of the important interactions and challenges for low income
countries.
Agriculture utilizes natural processes to produce the goods (food and non-food)
that we need to support the demand of an ever-growing population. Agriculture also
contributes to economic development in terms of income generation and employment.
Paradoxically, however, economic growth and poverty reduction lead to declining
relative importance of the agricultural sector (Dorward et al. 2004; Kuiper et al. 2007).
Which goods are needed and hence what agriculture should produce is largely
determined by society. Changes in consumption patterns and preferences are reflected
in agricultural land use. These societal and political changes are also visible in the
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