Economic assessment of the cropping farming practices in wetlands :

Abstract

Wetlands contribute in ways to the livelihoods of millions of people. They are often inextricably linked to agricultural production systems. In many places growing population, in conjunction with efforts to increase food security, is escalating pressure to expand agriculture within wetlands. The environmental impact of wetland agriculture can have profound social and economic repercussions for people dependent on ecosystem services other than those provided directly by agriculture. If wetlands are not used sustainably, the functions which support agriculture, as well as other food security and ecosystem services, including water-related services, will be undermined. Currently the basis for making decisions on the extent to which and how, wetlands can be sustainably used for agriculture is weak. There is a dearth of knowledge on the best agricultural cropping practices to be applied within different types of wetlands, and lack of understanding on how to establish appropriate management arrangements, that will adequately safe guard important ecosystem services are un-established. Often, economics of different cropping framing practices in wetlands is seen as greatest threat to their degradation, due to limited accruing short coming financial benefits, however, wetland policies are underpinned by a conservationist perspective that regards agriculture simply as a threat and disregards its important contribution to livelihoods. Comparative economic assessment between the different cropping farming practices in wetlands was performed to identify the best option which is a "skylight" to farmers' livelihoods and environmental sustainability The findings highlight the value of 'wetland agriculture for poverty reduction as well as the need for more systematic planning that takes into account need for community based management approaches to ensure the intergenerational benefits from the wetland.