Conflicting farmers' objectives and environmental policies: the case of a Mediterranean farm
by Maria Leonor da Silva Carvalho, Maria de Lurdes Ferro Godinho, Pedro Damiao de Sousa Henriques
International Journal of Sustainable Society (IJSSOC), Vol. 1, No. 2, 2008

Abstract: In dry land areas of the Mediterranean region, farmers' decisions are particularly difficult due to irregular rainfall. Yield risk, soil erosion and desertification are important problems. Decision-making behaviour of farmers is supposed to incorporate a particular concern in the adoption of strategies to decrease income variability, to conserve soil and to guarantee a comfortable level of income. Using a multi-criteria methodology, this article analyses the importance of various objectives in the decision-making process of farmers in the Mediterranean region. Simultaneously, the effect of the agri-environmental policy measures is evaluated when farmers maximise utility and when they maximise profit. These effects on soil erosion are also evaluated. The end of the agri-environmental measures changes the dry land crop activities to natural pastures, increasing livestock and the level of erosion. The agri-environmental measures are effective in maintaining the traditional agricultural systems, and in promoting the adoption of soil conservation tillage techniques.

Online publication date: Thu, 15-Jan-2009

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Sustainable Society (IJSSOC):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com