Economics, ecology, sustainable agricultural systems and development∗

A revised version of a seminar paper presented at the Department of Agriculture, Pretoria. I would like to thank all seminar participants for their comments on the earlier paper.

Abstract

The importance of ecologically sustainable economic systems and sustainable development, including sustainable agricultural development, has been recognised internationally in the last two decades and is reflected in policy initiatives in South Africa and elsewhere. However, complex issues and tradeoffs are involved in choosing between alternative productive systems. Ecologists, economists and other resource scientists need to cooperate to specify the options more carefully. Increasing human population levels and consumption levels are now widely seen as a major threat to living resources, to their life‐support systems and to sustainable development. Possible policy implications resulting from this are explored in the World Conservation Strategy. An examination of the possible attributes of different agricultural systems and forms of land use illustrates the complexity of choosing between different productive systems and leads to the question of whether sustainability should be an absolute goal in all circumstances. The question is also taken up of whether modern agricultural systems are more sustainable or less so than traditional ones.

Notes

Professor of Economics, University of Newcastle, 2308, Australia.

A revised version of a seminar paper presented at the Department of Agriculture, Pretoria. I would like to thank all seminar participants for their comments on the earlier paper.