Shaping the USDA Agriculture Innovation Agenda: Addressing Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution from A Point Source Perspective

Yang, Linge (2024): Shaping the USDA Agriculture Innovation Agenda: Addressing Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution from A Point Source Perspective.

Abstract

Agrochemicals are crucial for modern agriculture, but improper use can cause nonpoint source pollution (NPS), harming water quality and health. Despite recognizing agriculture as a major NPS contributor, policies lag in addressing it. Current literature identifies three main approaches to mitigate NPS: voluntary programs, economic incentives, and command and control regulations, but lacks empirical studies. This paper introduces a production efficiency model inspired by the input-based Best Management Practices (BMPs) to tackle agrochemical overuse without affecting yields. It aims to address NPS by providing empirical estimates to guide evidence-based sustainable farming policies.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Nonpoint Source Pollution, Best Management Practice, Chemical Runoff, Data Envelopment Analysis
• Subjects: C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C5 - Econometric Modeling > C53 - Forecasting and Prediction Methods ; Simulation Methods; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C6 - Mathematical Methods ; Programming Models ; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling > C61 - Optimization Techniques ; Programming Models ; Dynamic Analysis; D - Microeconomics > D2 - Production and Organizations > D24 - Production ; Cost ; Capital ; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity ; Capacity; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture > Q15 - Land Ownership and Tenure ; Land Reform ; Land Use ; Irrigation ; Agriculture and Environment; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture > Q18 - Agricultural Policy ; Food Policy

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