Is organic and agroecological agriculture economically viable? A case study in Paraguay
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Abstract
Recent agricultural development in Paraguay has been centred on large-scale industrial agriculture, focused on soya production for the international market, to the detriment of small-scale producers and food production for the national population. This has also had effects on hunger and poverty, depopulation and declining food production. The dependence on the outside world to meet the demand for staple foods previously provided by peasant family farming is increasing every year.
There is a widespread belief about the limited economic profitability of agroecological farming compared to conventional farming. However, further studies with methodological rigour are needed to shed light on this issue. This study, based on information from 80 farms of five crops in Paraguay, aims to fill this gap. The results obtained challenge the aforementioned belief, which would make it possible to rethink public policies in relation to this model of agriculture.
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