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Is Agribusiness Better than Small-Scale Alternatives?

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  • Ted Trainer

    (University of New South Wales)

Abstract

A recent study found that urban agriculture is far worse than agribusiness in its carbon emissions. This finding contradicts the common assumption that alternative forms of food production, especially those practised in urban situations, are feasible for reasons to do with sustainability. Aspects of the study leading to its conclusion are critically considered. And I argue that the study is misleading. Firstly, its findings regarding carbon emissions are questioned. More importantly, I argue that the merits of alternative agriculture require comparisons across a wide range of costs and benefits other than to do with carbon involved in the supply of food and other biological products. A consideration of several of these factors indicates that in terms of ecological, economic, and social consequences, alternative practices are far superior to agribusiness.

Suggested Citation

  • Ted Trainer, 2025. "Is Agribusiness Better than Small-Scale Alternatives?," Biophysical Economics and Resource Quality, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:bioerq:v:10:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s41247-025-00122-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s41247-025-00122-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Key, Nigel, 2019. "Farm size and productivity growth in the United States Corn Belt," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 186-195.
    2. Manfred Lenzen & Arne Geschke & James West & Jacob Fry & Arunima Malik & Stefan Giljum & Llorenç Milà i Canals & Pablo Piñero & Stephan Lutter & Thomas Wiedmann & Mengyu Li & Maartje Sevenster & Janez, 2022. "Implementing the material footprint to measure progress towards Sustainable Development Goals 8 and 12," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 5(2), pages 157-166, February.
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