Can technological changes based on cost benefit analysis meet sustainability goals? The case of Tres Arroyos Region. Argentina

Abstract

In modern agriculture technological changes are determined not by an ecological but by an economical approach (cost-benefit analysis) that can difficult to meet sustainability goals. In the ‘90s, an important increase in fertilizer use was observed in Tres Arroyos Region, Argentina, based on cost benefit analysis. To analyze the consequences of these changes on regional sustainability, total balances for N, P and K (difference between outputs and inputs) for wheat and sunflower crops during five agricultural cycles along the ‘90s were calculated. Nutrient input was not in balance with those removed by crops. This led to a net N, P and K losses for sunflower crop and a N and K losses but a P excess in wheat crop. As a consequence, a net N and K losses was observed for the Region, which cannot be considered sustainable because their agricultural productivity has been based on both nutrient “stock”and soil organic matter depletion. This constitute an important ecological cost that was not taken into account when technological decisions were taken.