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Whole-farm economic and risk effects of conservation agriculture in a crop-livestock system in western China

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  • Komarek, Adam M.
  • Li, LingLing
  • Bellotti, William D.

Abstract

Researchers advocate using conservation agriculture as a tool to improve farmer livelihoods, with crop residue retention being an integral component of conservation agriculture. Crop residues are used for mulch, livestock feed, and fuel material in crop-livestock farming systems. In this article, we conducted long-term simulation modelling to compare the economic effects of different crop residue retention practices for a crop-livestock agricultural household in semi-arid China. We calculated the average profit and net present value (and associated variability) of different crop residue retention practices using planning horizons of 3, 6, 10, and 20 years. Crop residue retention increased grain production, reduced forage production leading to smaller livestock flock sizes, and increased family heating and cooking costs. The net effect was that retaining minimal crop residues gave the highest profits using the three year planning horizon.

Suggested Citation

  • Komarek, Adam M. & Li, LingLing & Bellotti, William D., 2015. "Whole-farm economic and risk effects of conservation agriculture in a crop-livestock system in western China," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 220-226.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:137:y:2015:i:c:p:220-226
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2014.10.013
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    Cited by:

    1. Hou, Lingling & Chen, Xiaoguang & Kuhn, Lena & Huang, Jikun, 2019. "The effectiveness of regulations and technologies on sustainable use of crop residue in Northeast China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 519-527.
    2. Adam M. Komarek, 2018. "Conservation agriculture in western China increases productivity and profits without decreasing resilience," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 10(5), pages 1251-1262, October.
    3. Xu, Bin & Lin, Boqiang, 2016. "Differences in regional emissions in China's transport sector: Determinants and reduction strategies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 459-470.
    4. Fang, Guozhu & Zhang, Xiaoheng & Qi, Chunjie, 2021. "Are Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems More Technical Efficiency? Evidence from Small Farmers in China," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315129, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    5. Komarek, Adam M. & Kwon, Hoyoung & Haile, Beliyou & Thierfelder, Christian & Mutenje, Munyaradzi J. & Azzarri, Carlo, 2019. "From plot to scale: ex-ante assessment of conservation agriculture in Zambia," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 504-518.
    6. Abadi, Bijan & Yadollahi, Arash & Bybordi, Ahmad & Rahmati, Mehdi, 2020. "The discrimination of adopters and non-adopters of conservation agricultural initiatives in northwest Iran: Attitudinal, soil testing, and topographical modules," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).

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