Agroecological and conventional agricultural systems: comparative analysis of coffee farms in Brazil for sustainable development
by Andrea Pronti; Mario Coccia
International Journal of Sustainable Development (IJSD), Vol. 23, No. 3/4, 2020

Abstract: A main problem in emerging countries is the reduction of poverty in rural areas with sustainable agricultural systems. This study analyses differences between agroecology (a pattern of sustainable economic development with ecological processes directed to reduce production costs and support natural resource management) and conventional agricultural systems by using data of 15 small coffee farms in the East Region of Minas Gerais state (Brazil) that is characterised by rural poverty and environmental fragility. The results show that agroecological systems can support local small farmers to stabilise and diversify incomes. In addition, results here reveal that agroecological practices, compared to conventional agricultural systems, have eliminated the use of pesticides and reduced the use of fertilisers, supporting larger areas of forest conservation. Overall, then, this study suggests that agroecology is a cost-effective and sustainable agricultural system for smallholder farmers to support sustainable economic growth and wellbeing of rural areas.

Online publication date: Mon, 24-May-2021

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 Development (IJSD):
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