Multi-causal and integrated assessment of sustainability: the case of agriculturization in the Argentine Pampas

Abstract

Assessing the sustainability of complex development processes requires multi-causal and integrated analyses. We develop a system-based methodology, rooted Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.in interdisciplinary discussion and consensus building between 15 experts, to construct a multi-causal diagram which examines the sustainability of the Argentine Pampaś process of agriculturization. The resulting diagram includes 25 factors and provides a big-picture of the multiple dimensions and interrelations affecting sustainability. According to this examination, the increasing concentration of production and the incorporation of technological innovations, triggered by economic and institutional factors, are the cause of environmental distresses and social changes, whose consequences for sustainability are still highly disputed. Nevertheless, the symptoms of both environmental and social unsustainability are more evident in the case of the extraPampean regions than in the Pampas. This suggests that the Pampean agriculture model should not be transferred to these regions without substantial modifications. The experts did not reach consensus on whether the agriculturization process is overall sustainable or unsustainable. Lack of consensus revolved mainly around opposing perspectives regarding the significance of the threats to environmental sustainability. The magnitude of socio-distributive unbalance and loss of rural jobs were also contentious. Yet, the paper shows how the exercise of building a joint causal diagram was undoubtedly helpful for linking piece-meal disciplinary facts, brought in from all fronts, into a comprehensive and coherent picture.

Soil Quality Impacts of Current South American Agricultural Practices

“…The primary cropping systems changed throughout the study area during the past 50 years in response to market globalization and the need to develop an internationally competitive agriculture that was beneficial for the countries, farmers, and society in general [20].…”

“…Average grain yields for soybean, maize and wheat increased from 1493-2309, from 1489-5485, and from 1114-2386 kg·ha −1 , respectively, during this period. According to Manuel-Navarrete et al [20], agricultural expansion in Argentina has been supported by the adoption of new technologies (i.e., genetic resources, chemical inputs, and agricultural machinery), an increase in grain prices, a relative decrease in input costs, regional agricultural research, active farmer participation, and relatively good and stable climatic conditions [24,25].…”

“…These assessments have indicated that the cropping system changes, which have generally included removal of pasture from crop rotations, decreased crop diversity with the increased frequency of soybean, and the conversion of marginal land into cropland, are imposing a threat to soil quality [20].…”

Tracking on-farm innovations to unearth alternatives to the dominant soybean-based system in the Argentinean Pampa

“…In this economic situation, the fodder cropbased and pasture-based systems are addressed primarily to producers who, by taste or obligation (use of land unsuitable for crops), have maintained livestock farming systems. These farmers stress the interest of integrating fodder plants into the rotations within the cultivated area, when in pampean mixed farms the trend is to separate lands dedicated to crops and livestock (Manuel-Navarrete et al 2005).…”

“…At the time of the study, this was not the case for oilseed rape; the farmers were in a learning phase, testing various practices and insertions into rotations. Lengthening the rotations with cereals and oilseed crops therefore seems easier to achieve than the redevelopment of livestock farming, but it would undoubtedly require an evolution in the agricultural policies currently very favorable to the soybean (Manuel-Navarrete et al 2005;Botta et al 2011). However, the assessment of the diversified-arable systems cannot be regarded as being really satisfactory, and improvements must be worked on, in particular to increase the gross added value and reduce pesticide use.…”