Overview

First published in 1997, this volume reflects concern about the environmental impact of modern agricultural practices, agriculture's increasing reliance on non-renewable resources, and the long-term productivity of high external-input agricultural systems which has prompted a number of initiatives to promote the adoption and diffusion of more sustainable technologies. For these interventions to be effective, they should be based on an understanding of what induces the producer to switch from conventional to alternative practices. This book provides a review on the determinants of adoption and diffusion of sustainable agricultural technologies, including concepts and theories related to this theme. The Green Revolution in Brazil is examined as a means of establishing the background for an empirical investigation. Data about farms in the State of Espírito Santo are analysed using duration analysis, an econometric technique which allows to assess the impact of time-varying, economic variables. Thus, adoption is explained as a dynamic process.

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9781138384446

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'This timely book is an authoritative and scholarly examination of the economics of adopting sustainable agricultural technologies. All serious students of development whether economists or not, should read it.' Dr Phil Dawson, University of Newcastle, UK 'Although there is a burgeoning literature on sustainable development, it is difficult to point to many books which offer any empirical insights on the subject. This is such a book...The analysis is timely - the issue of sustainable agricultural development is pressing in many developing countries and not least in the study area, the EspA rito Santo region of Brazil. The analysis is also rigorous...The book will be of great interest to a wide audience, including those concerned with sustainable agricultural systems, Brazilian agricultural development, the process of adoption of new technologies, and the econometric analysis of duration data.' Dr Trevor Young, University of Manchester, UK '...a useful review of some of the global literature on sustainable agriculture...A detailed discussion on the theories of diffusion of technologies...' Experimental Agriculture

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