An economic analysis of ecological agricultural technologies among peasant farmers in Honduras
The economic costs and benefits of chemical and low-purchased-input ecological technologies are compared in two Honduran rural development projects. Surveys of 20 farmers in each project indicate that both approaches have tripled average corn yields from a baseline of roughly 700 kg per hectare to the present level of 2000 kg per hectare. However, the farmers utilizing the ecological technologies have achieved this yield increase with one-fifth the chemical fertilizer, and substantially lower overall costs. The study suggests that cover cropping with velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) is a promising ecological farming practice. Based on statistical analysis of the survey data, this nitrogen-fixing crop reduced costs by 22 percent.
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
Mar
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| Subjects: | CAMPESINADO, ANALISIS ECONOMICO, SOSTENIBILIDAD, METODOS DE CULTIVO, ADOPCION DE INNOVACIONES, APLICACION DE FERTILIZANTES, CONSERVACION DE SUELOS, PROTECCION AMBIENTAL, ANALISIS DE COSTOS Y BENEFICIOS, ZONAS RURALES, PROYECTOS DE DESARROLLO, CULTIVO DE COBERTURA, PLANTAS DE COBERTURA, MUCUNA PRURIENS, HONDURAS, |
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