Economy-wide sources of agricultural expansion in developing countries
Files
TR Number
Date
2000
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Geneva, Switzerland: Inderscience Publishers Ltd.
Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
Rural development, Economic growth, Deforestation, Income generation, Sustainable development, Livelihoods, Tropical zones, Poverty, Economic impacts, Conservation incentives, Agricultural colonization, Development and the environment, Tropical deforestation, Thailand, Off-farm employment, Externalities, Governance
Citation
Int. J. Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology 1(1): 68-76