ISHS Acta Horticulturae 428: Ecological aspects of Vegetable Fertigation in Integrated crop Production in the Field
A BRIEF NOTE ON SUSTAINABILITY IN THE PRODUCTION OF VEGETABLE CROPS IN THE FIELD FOR CONSUMPTION |
| Author: | C.M. Portas |
| Abstract:
For an agronomist, agriculture is essentially an industry that will remain if and when it is profitable (including direct and indirect income). Therefore, one of the bases of sustainability of a farming system is to get a net profit, and this first of all, implies a sound financial support from the system itself. This applies to fresh vegetables or to vegetables for fresh consumption, as well as to any other crop. Therefore, it is not possible to discuss the main topics of the agronomy of the major vegetables for the fresh market without questioning some general issues in a changing agriculture: are we working in an elasticity-growing group of commodities; what are the main problems that will be faced in the short, medium and long-term by integrated crop production (ICP) in the so-called Economy-World? Fresh production in developed countries was established under strong restrictions for imports and considerable difficulties of medium and long distance transportation. Later the systems have evolved and adapted to various changes in the cost and availability of production factors, and to new market situations. However, recently other potential constrictions are arriving like: new logistics of freight transportation and the regional or even world-wide agreements on trade and tariff-less customs (e.g. EU, GATT, MERCOSUR, NAFTA); consumer diversification on fruits and vegetables; comparative advantages of some sub-tropical countries; new patterns for peri-urban horticulture; shortage of labour in developed countries. | |
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