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Barriers to low-input agriculture adoption: A case study of Richmond County, Virginia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

Penelope L. Diebel ,
Daniel B. Taylor  and
Sandra S. Batie
Penelope L. Diebel
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-4011;
Daniel B. Taylor
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0401;
Sandra S. Batie
Affiliation:
Elton R. Smith Professor of Food and Agricultural Policy, Department of Agricultural Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824–1039.
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Abstract

We coupled a nonlinear mathematical programming model with sensitivity analysis and evaluated some economic barriers to adoption of low-input agriculture by farmers in Richmond County, Virginia. Collection of primary data made the model more realistic. We analyzed potential barriers to adoption, including poultry litter price, yields, labor requirements, and variable input costs. We found the adoption of low-input practices to be sensitive to the price of poultry litter and relatively insensitive to yields, labor requirements, and variable costs. However, when several of these barriers are combined, the model predicts that farmers would use conventional practices. Therefore analysis of the farm as a system rather than practice by practice is important when identifying the effects of economic barriers.

Keywords

alternative agricultureorganic farmingpoultry litter
Type
Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 8 , Issue 3 , September 1993 , pp. 120 - 127
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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