Determinants and impact of sustainable land management (SLM) investments: A systems evaluation in the Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

• DOI: 10.1111/agec.12361
• Publication Date: 2017-06-16T10:12:41Z
• Authors: Emily Schmidt; Paul Chinowsky; Sherman Robinson; Kenneth Strzepek
• Keywords: Sustainable land management

Ongoing debate over water management along the Blue Nile and land degradation in Ethiopia emphasizes need for efficiency gains agricultural production through sustainable (SLM). However, previous SLM studies overlook tradeoffs involved maintaining investments time. We address this limitation by combining a household survey that evaluates economic impacts of maintenance, with hydrological model explores location-specific infrastructure effects. then use multi-market to evaluate alternative on production, prices, incomes Analysis suggests must be maintained at least seven years show significant increases value terraces moderate steep slopes are most effective increasing yields. benefits terracing do not outweigh cost foregone off-farm labor opportunities, nor compensate lower prices from increased supply. Thus, paired other input investments, as well subsidies initial costs, order incentivize adoption long-term maintenance.