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Economic Factors in the Adoption and Utilization of Phosphate Rocks
(2004) Kuyvenhoven, A.; Sen H. Chien; E. Casanova
The degradation of soil fertility due to increased population pressure, reduced fallow periods, deforestation, and improper agricultural practices poses a significant challenge to sustainable agriculture in many developing regions. Phosphorus (P) deficiency, in particular, has emerged as a critical issue, threatening agricultural viability and food security. This paper examines the economic factors influencing the adoption and utilization of phosphate rocks (PR) as a means to address soil fertility depletion. Constraints such as limited financial resources, poor distribution systems, lack of knowledge about PR utilization, and dependence on fertilizer aid hinder widespread adoption. Additionally, factors such as ownership rights, farm size, access to credit, and labor availability influence farmers' decisions regarding PR adoption. While PR application offers potential benefits in terms of soil fertility improvement and long-term agricultural productivity, challenges related to production costs, transport, and distribution must be addressed. Policy interventions such as pricing policies, organizational support, agricultural market development, and risk protection measures are crucial to incentivize PR adoption and promote sustainable agriculture.