How to establish balanced use of agricultural land and better ecological function?

Agricultural land occupies about 10% of total land area, pastures not included. Its ecological influence (nutrient cycles, carbon storage, energy, water, biodiversity) is considerably larger. The sector is growing both in extent and intensity. The world needs good ecological function of this sector.

The main task for agriculture is to produce food for mankind. The present main policy is that agricultural production like other “industries” shall be governed by market forces, in reality price competition on a global scale (within a very weak concept “Good Agricultural Practice).

However, there is a contradiction. Factors favouring market competitiveness are specialization and adaptability ( we could say shortsightedness). Factors favouring ecological function are diversity and longterm consideration, exactly the opposite. There are environmental programs, but they are not accepted world wide. They are criticized for distorting competitiveness in both directions.

With a few sacrifices in economy and production (if any in the long term) agriculture could develop much better ecological function even with present knowledge and technology (Background: www.greengard.se/Eco-efficiency.htm . But for the farm manager such measures compromise shortterm competitiveness. He should not be expected to disobey the rules the society has given him.

The research task (economic/political/agronomic) is to create a background for a framework including “ecological values” as drivers for development. Let market economy work also on the ecological side. It should go beyond present attempts with carbon trading etc, and include for instance nutrient and water efficiency, diversity and landscape function.

Göte Bertilsson, Agr system consultant, Sweden

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