Research Reports
Questionnaire Replies for Developing OECD Agri-Environmental Indicators
-
AuthorKim, Changgil
-
Publication Date2004.10.01
-
Original
Since the early 1990s there has been some progress in developing analytical frameworks and related indicators with the aim of monitoring the environmental effects of agriculture, and contributing to the evaluation of agricultural and environmental policies. The OECD set of agri-environmental indicators is intended to provide information to policy-makers and the public on the current state of the environment in agriculture, and to contribute to monitoring and evaluating policy effectiveness in promoting sustainable agriculture.
This objective of this report is to reply the Questionnaire for developing OECD Agri-Environmental Indicators (AEIs). The responses and calculations of the AEIs were conducted by several experts in related research agencies and institutions such as Rural Development Adminstration, National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, National Institute of Environment Research, and Korea Rural Economic Institute.
Agriculture has a major impact on the environment in Korea. It accounts for around 50% of total water use and 20% of land use. With about 67% of the country forested and mountainous, continued population growth, and a population density the highest in the OECD, there is intense pressure to convert farmland to other uses, and in some cases, convert land to agricultural use. Soils are 'naturally' low in fertility as they are mostly sandy and acidic, with heavy summer rains leading to high levels of erosion on steeper land in the absence of conservation practices. The Asian monsoonal climate is suited to rice production but encourages pests, diseases and weeds resulting in intensive use of pesticides, and also rapid decomposition of soil organic matter.
Pressure on water and land resources are the major environmental challenges for agriculture. These challenges are closely linked to high population and economic growth, with a farming structure characterized by numerous small farms dominated by rice production. This gives rise to environmental concerns with regard to agriculture's impact on water use, water retention, water pollution, soil quality, biodiversity and air emissions.
The share of agricultural land affected by soil erosion has increased slightly over the 1990s. But with two-thirds of farm land little affected by erosion, soil degradation from erosion does not pose an immediate threat to agricultural production but is impairing the long term productivity on some steeper marginal land. The share of agricultural land affected by low to moderate rates of erosion, however, increased over the period 1989-2002. But soil fertility, as measured by soil organic carbon content has improved because of greater use of fertilizers, compost and soil supplements. Surpluses of both nitrogen and phosphate from agriculture have a high proportion, mainly due to rising pig and poultry numbers partly offset by lower fertilizer use over the 1990s. The decline in pesticide use has reduced its potential impact as a water pollutant, although the intensity of pesticide use per hectare of land is still a concern in lowering the loadings of pesticides in water bodies.
Agriculture's water retaining capacity has declined in volume by over 12% over the decade. Korea considers that water retaining capacity (WRC) is a key environmental benefit associated with its agriculture, especially in view of the greater incidence, severity and cost of national flood damage. Paddy rice fields account for 70% of agricultural WRC and are considered to provide other benefits, such as reducing soil erosion and enhancing biodiversity. The key reason for the decline in WRC has been the 10% reduction in area farmed partly offset by an increase in the volume of on-farm water retaining facilities (e.g. small dams, reservoirs) by more than 50% over the 1990s.
The net burden on the environment from agriculture is significant, but recent policy developments are beginning to address the issue. Policy initiatives are seeking to stimulate the adoption of sustainable farming practices, raise the efficiency of resource use, cut chemical input use, encourage the adoption of soil conservation practices, and address biodiversity concerns. There are also indications that farmers are becoming more receptive to adopting sustainable practices.
Researchers: Kim, Chang-Gil and Tae-Young Kim
E-mail address: changgil@krei.re.kr
- Next
- A study on the Introduction of Farmland Banking System in Korea
- Prev
- Estimating the GDP of the Korean Agribusiness Sector