Identifier

etd-1110103-225402

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Agricultural Economics

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Agriculture has been identified as one of the major sources of nonpoint water pollution due to discharges running off farmland. This study assessed the current adoption of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the Louisiana sugarcane industry and provided policy recommendations based on the empirical results. Fifteen BMPs recommended by Louisiana State University Agricultural Center were examined in three categories: Soil Erosion and Sediment Control, Nutrient Management, and Pesticide Management. Based on neoclassical economic principles of individual’s utility maximization, this study evaluated seven multivariate probit models using primary data collected from a mail survey of Louisiana’s sugarcane producers. The results indicated that remarkable progress has been achieved in BMPs promotion since 1999. The primary factors that significantly impacted BMP adoption were: awareness of the Master Farmer Program for sugarcane, farm size, ownership, and farmer’s risk attitude. It is recommended that educational programs provided by LSU AgCenter continue to play a vital role in promoting sugarcane BMPs .

Date

2003

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Steven A. Henning

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.3237

Download

Share

COinS