The agriculture-environment nexus: understanding the issues and review of economic valuation studies

Issue Date

2001

Abstract

The paper discusses how agricultural activities can bring about environmental degradation in surrounding areas. Water pollution from agriculture comes from sediments carried by erosion, containing both organic and inorganic fertilizers, and pollutants from improperly disposed chemical containers and livestock waste discharged into water bodies. Air pollutants come largely from the spraying of chemicals and livestock wastes. These pollutants and the excessive rate of soil erosion result in economic losses, both in terms of health and production impacts. Production losses are experienced in both the farm and water ecosystems, while health hazards could be imposed on farmers, consumers and water users. The paper discusses methodologies available to put monetary value on these economic issues. The aim of valuation is to generate inputs in the design of a system to make "polluters pay for the costs that their economic activities impose on society. Pollution charges, soil conservation subsidies, and chemical input taxes are forms of economic instruments that could be used to meet the polluters-pay-principle in environmental management. Literature on valuation of the environmental impacts of agriculture in the Philippine setting was likewise discussed.

Source or Periodical Title

Journal of Environmental Science and Management

ISSN

0119-1144

Volume

4

Issue

1-2

Document Type

Article

College

School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM)

Frequency

annually

Language

English

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS