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Sustainability is not enough

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

Vernon W. Ruttan
Vernon W. Ruttan
Affiliation:
Regents Professor, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and Department of Economics, and Adjunct Professor, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55018.
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Abstract

Traditional agricultural systems that have met the test of sustainability have not been able to respond adequately to modern rates of growth in demand for agricultural commodities. A meaningful definition of sustainability must include the enhancement of agricultural productivity. At present, the concept of sustainability is more adequate as a guide to research than to farming practice.

Keywords

sustainability definitionproductivity increasepopulation growthincome increaseresearch implications
Type
Commentary
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 3 , Issue 2-3 , Spring-Summer 1988 , pp. 128 - 130
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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References

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