Widespread adoption of non-conventional agriculture: Profitability and impacts

Abstract

AbstractConventional agriculture is increasingly criticized as being too concentrated in ownership; too reliant on technology, petroleum-based inputs, and credit; too specialized and ecologically unsound; and too dependent on government subsidies. Alternative agriculture is offered by many as an alternative, and we discuss the possible impacts of its widespread adoption on farm income, yields, regions, labor, trade, environmental quality, and farm structure. The profitability of alternative agriculture is also examined - in so doing, a distinction is made between the adoption of low-input practices and a more holistic alternative agricultural system.