Fertilizer Quality And Its Impacts On Technical Efficiency And Use Intensity In The North China Plain

Fertilizer has helped the growth of agriculture for decades. However, its overuse in some regions has caused environmental and health problems due to pollution and contamination of groundwater. Fertilizer quality is another cause for concern in many countries, as the actual nutrient content may not match the labeled content on the packaging. The North China Plain is a region affected by both fertilizer overuse and quality problems. This study delves into the issue using economic models and survey data of farm households. Is the effectiveness of fertilizer overstated? How do farmers respond to uncertainty in fertilizer quality? Can they differentiate between good and poor quality fertilizer?

Establishing the mechanism of realizing the value of ecological product is an important way to realize land use change, agricultural production transformation and reduce environmental pollution. In recent years, consumers' demand for ecological products has been increasing while the supply is seriously insufficient. The realization of ecological product value faces various bottlenecks, including the realization mechanism of ecological product value, land use variation and the temporal dynamics of land use change, and the driving forces behind land dynamics and their socio-ecological feedbacks. Meanwhile, the relationship between the realization of ecological product value, land use transformation and changes in agricultural production mode are still unclear. In the process of realizing the value of ecological products, how to realize agricultural production and land use transformation, and environmental improvement is also a constant concern to be solved desperately.

Advances in Agronomy, Volume 156, continues to be recognized as a leading reference and first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. Each volume contains an eclectic group of reviews by leading scientists throughout the world. As always, the subjects covered are rich, varied, and exemplary of the abundant subject matter addressed by this long-running serial. Includes numerous, timely, state-of-the-art reviews on the latest advancements in agronomy Features distinguished, well recognized authors from around the world Builds upon this venerable and iconic review series Covers the extensive variety and breadth of subject matter in the crop and soil sciences

Arising from an International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) project this book explores the most promising innovations in technology, institutional, and policy approaches for creating additional and better farm business opportunities for smallholder farmers.

Monograph on the growth of the chemical industry (chemical fertiliser section) and its influence on agricultural production in the economic development of China - covers costs, prices, investment, profit, standard efficiency criteria, trade policies, domestic production, distribution, consumption, yield responses in relation to nutrition requirements, etc., bibliography pp. 159 to 169 and statistical tables.

Achieving zero hunger and food security is a top priority in the United Nations Development Goals (UNDGs). In an era characterized by high population growth and increasing pressure on agricultural systems, efficiency in the use of natural resources has become central to sustainable agricultural practices. Fundamentally speaking, eco-efficiency is about maximizing agricultural outputs, in terms of quantity and quality, using less land, water, nutrients, energy, labor, or capital. The concept of eco-efficiency involves both the ecological and economic aspects of sustainable agriculture. It is therefore essential to understand the interaction of ecosystem constituents within the extensive agricultural landscape, as well as farmers’ economic needs. This book examines the latest eco-efficient practices used in agro-systems. Drawing upon research and examples from around the world, it offers an up-to-date overview, together with insights into directly applicable approaches for poly-cropping systems and landscape-scale management to improve the stability of agricultural production systems, helping achieve food security. The book will be of interest to educators, researchers, climate change scientists, capacity builders and policymakers alike. It can also be used as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate courses on agriculture, forestry, soil science, and the environmental sciences.

This 2012 Global Food Policy Report is the second in an annual series that provides an in-depth look at major food policy developments and events. Initiated in response to resurgent interest in food security, the series offers a yearly overview of the food policy developments that have contributed to or hindered progress in food and nutrition security. It reviews what happened in food policy and why, examines key challenges and opportunities, shares new evidence and knowledge, and highlights emerging issues. In 2012, world food security remained vulnerable. While talk about hunger and malnutrition was plentiful, it remains to be seen whether current and past commitments to invest in agriculture, food security, and nutrition will be met. New data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations suggest that the world will fall short of achieving the first Millennium Development Goal of halving the prevalence of undernutrition by 2015. Translating commitments into action is thus even more urgent.