Earthscan Food and Agriculture
1 total work
In this challenging book the author shows how the ideas of post-growth economic theory can be applied to the development of sustainable agriculture. This must be capable of meeting the needs for food of a growing world population, while at the same time protect the environment and natural resources.
The book reviews the growing body of literature which has started to explore the concept of a post-growth economy. Central to this is the belief that policies aimed at growth are increasingly economically unsustainable. Hence, we must shift away from a growth paradigm towards redistribution. It is shown how agriculture is a clear candidate for post-growth analysis as the historical pursuit of growth has led to environmental and social harm from intensive land management. Similarly, greater concentration within agribusiness has created barriers to redistribution and distorts policies required for sustainable agriculture.
The author challenges those who ignore a post-growth view in the context of sustainable resource use. The main focus is on industrialised intensive agriculture in the developed world, but implications are also drawn out for developing countries.