About this Research Topic
Agriculture and livestock farming are fundamental economic activities for human survival and economic development. However, the way these activities are carried out can significantly influence the environment and available natural resources. The Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems (ICLS) emerged as a sustainable alternative, synergistically combining agricultural and livestock practices. This integration can result in benefits from both an environmental and economic point of view. ICLS is a sustainable alternative for several reasons, such as, for example, maximizing land use, promoting nutrient cycling, reducing environmental impacts, and providing income diversification for rural producers. Economic viability in Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems is extremely relevant for modern agriculture and livestock. With the growing demand for food and the need for sustainable use of natural resources, it is essential to assess the balance between the costs and profitability of these systems. Currently, there is a lot of research on techniques used in ICLS, but research on the economic viability of these systems is scarce.
Productivity and efficiency are fundamental in integrated agricultural production systems, as they guarantee better use of available resources, reduce costs, increase profitability, and promote the sustainability of the activity. Productivity is the ability to produce more with fewer resources, such as labor, inputs, machinery, and capital. In an integrated crop-livestock system, productivity is related to the diversification of activities, the choice of crops and species (animals and vegetables) best suited to the environment, the efficient management of natural resources, and the implementation of sustainable practices. Efficiency is linked to the ability to carry out activities quickly, accurately, and with quality. In ICLS, efficiency is related to the adoption of environmentally sustainable technologies and practices, training of the workforce, planning of activities, and effective management of processes. Therefore, productivity and efficiency are essential to guarantee the competitiveness of the ICLS, allowing business growth, generating income for producers, and promoting sustainable development in the countryside. Therefore, investing in measures that aim to increase productivity and efficiency is the basis for success and permanence in the agricultural market. The search for economically viable and environmentally sustainable integrated systems is a major challenge that requires the involvement of all actors involved in the production chain. Quantifying economic indicators such as Net Present Value (NPV), cost-benefit index (CBI), and Additional Return on Investment (ARI), among others, is an important tool for implementing efficient strategies. In short, studying the economic viability of SIPA is essential to guarantee the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
Thus, this Research Topic focuses on the economic viability assessment of techniques and technological innovations in agriculture and livestock. Moreover, this collection aims to report innovative and efficient strategies to guarantee the profitability and environmental sustainability of integrated crop-livestock systems. Therefore, authors are expected to submit articles with the following themes:
• Cost analysis for adopting new technologies in agriculture
• Assessment of profitability in integrated agricultural production systems
• Strategies to ensure economic viability in integrated systems
• Benefits of diversifying agricultural and livestock activities
• Economic viability of adopting technologies for SIPA
• Planning and implementation of efficient strategies in integrated systems
Productivity and efficiency are fundamental in integrated agricultural production systems, as they guarantee better use of available resources, reduce costs, increase profitability, and promote the sustainability of the activity. Productivity is the ability to produce more with fewer resources, such as labor, inputs, machinery, and capital. In an integrated crop-livestock system, productivity is related to the diversification of activities, the choice of crops and species (animals and vegetables) best suited to the environment, the efficient management of natural resources, and the implementation of sustainable practices. Efficiency is linked to the ability to carry out activities quickly, accurately, and with quality. In ICLS, efficiency is related to the adoption of environmentally sustainable technologies and practices, training of the workforce, planning of activities, and effective management of processes. Therefore, productivity and efficiency are essential to guarantee the competitiveness of the ICLS, allowing business growth, generating income for producers, and promoting sustainable development in the countryside. Therefore, investing in measures that aim to increase productivity and efficiency is the basis for success and permanence in the agricultural market. The search for economically viable and environmentally sustainable integrated systems is a major challenge that requires the involvement of all actors involved in the production chain. Quantifying economic indicators such as Net Present Value (NPV), cost-benefit index (CBI), and Additional Return on Investment (ARI), among others, is an important tool for implementing efficient strategies. In short, studying the economic viability of SIPA is essential to guarantee the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
Thus, this Research Topic focuses on the economic viability assessment of techniques and technological innovations in agriculture and livestock. Moreover, this collection aims to report innovative and efficient strategies to guarantee the profitability and environmental sustainability of integrated crop-livestock systems. Therefore, authors are expected to submit articles with the following themes:
• Cost analysis for adopting new technologies in agriculture
• Assessment of profitability in integrated agricultural production systems
• Strategies to ensure economic viability in integrated systems
• Benefits of diversifying agricultural and livestock activities
• Economic viability of adopting technologies for SIPA
• Planning and implementation of efficient strategies in integrated systems
Keywords: Agriculture, livestock, productivity, profitability, Sustainability
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