Poverty and biodiversity trade-offs in rural development: A case study for Pujiang county,China |
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Authors: | Huib Hengsdijk Wang Guanghuo Marrit M Van den Berg Wang Jiangdi Joost Wolf Lu Changhe Reimund P Roetter Herman Van Keulen |
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Institution: | 1. Plant Research International, Wageningen UR, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands;2. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China;3. Development Economics Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8130, 6700 EW Wageningen, The Netherlands;4. Alterra, Soil Science Centre, Wageningen UR, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands;5. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Building 917, Datun Road, Beijing 100101, PR China;6. Plant Production Systems Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK Wageningen, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | Both, poverty reduction and preservation of biodiversity are high on the global agenda on sustainable development. The relationships between poverty, biodiversity of agro-ecosystems and agricultural development are complex and poorly understood. In this paper, we present an integrated framework for analysis of agricultural development and natural resource management options at agro-ecosystem level, using Pujiang county, in Zhejiang province, China as a case study area to perform the analysis. A regional linear programming (LP) model is applied, maximizing regional economic surplus, given production and labour market conditions in Pujiang. We use the model to examine the consequences for a set of regional poverty and biodiversity indicators, of four so-called poverty reduction strategies, i.e., (i) intensification of production, (ii) diversification towards livestock production, (iii) land expansion, and (iv) an exit from agriculture. The analysis indicates that diversification is the most promising poverty reduction strategy, but requires efficient use of animal manure in cropping systems to avoid environmental problems. Improved nutrient management in cropping systems is effective in reducing the regional nitrogen surplus, but less effective in increasing per capita income. The exit strategy is effective in reducing poverty and achieving biodiversity goals, but may have important social consequences that are not addressed in this study. Further reduction in rural poverty is hampered by labour constraints during the harvesting period in high value crops such as vegetables and fruits, which calls for research and development in the field of agricultural mechanization. |
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Keywords: | Diversification Intensification Environment LP Sustainability Ecosystem approach |
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