Economy-wide sources of agricultural expansion in developing countries

This paper examines the environmental problem of deforestation in tropical countries with high levels of persistent poverty. The authors explore reasons why the commencement of development does not cause a decrease in the expansion of agricultural onto fragile land. Pointing to the case study of Thailand, they suggest that changing demands for agricultural productivity and favorable agroclimatic characteristics of frontier lands are significant factors contributing to continued deforestation even when living standards rise. The authors suggest that the creation of off-farm employment opportunities is crucial for making issues of environmental sustainability compatible with rural income growth.