Farming systems are characterized by many attributes. In order to evaluate their overall sustainability, it is necessary to consider all relevant attributes together. This study uses a multiattribute utility model (MAUM) to compare two tillage technologies (conventional tillage versus zero tillage) to draw an inference about their sustainability. On the basis of five cropping systems, two soil landscapes and two tillage technologies, twenty large size farms are used to represent different range of farms in Saskatchewan. A bio-economic simulator is used to estimate stochastic values of the attributes characterizing these farming systems. The data for bio-economic simulator are obtained from Erosion Productivity Impact Calculator (EPIC) and Top Management Farm Business Simulator (TMFBS) models. The MAUM, based on the preferences of the individuals from two groups (Producers and Agrologists), is used to identify the preferred farming systems. Based on the simulated attribute values and their desirability, conventional tillage systems are preferred in the Brown soil zone. In the Dark Brown and the Black soil zones, the results are mixed. In the Gray soil zone, the zero tillage systems are preferred.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:USASK/oai:usask.ca:etd-10212004-001557 |
| Date | 01 January 1999 |
| Creators | Maqbool, Muhammad Asim |
| Contributors | Schoney, Richard A. |
| Publisher | University of Saskatchewan |
| Source Sets | University of Saskatchewan Library |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://library.usask.ca/theses/available/etd-10212004-001557 |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Saskatchewan or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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