Agricultural Productivity and Soil Carbon Dynamics: A Bioeconomic Model
研究通过扩展可再生资源的生物经济模型，分析土壤碳管理对农业生产力与农民生计的影响，基于肯尼亚西部八年的面板数据，发现最优玉米产量和土壤碳储量高于实际水平，部分原因在于农民时间偏好差异、信息障碍和市场不完善。
Abstract We examine the dynamic management of a soil resource—the issue at the core of both environmental and development challenges in developing countries. Our theoretical framework extends the traditional bioeconomic model of renewable resources to soil carbon management and investigates the effects of changes in agricultural practices on farmers' natural resource base and livelihoods. We parameterize the model using an eight‐year panel data set from an agronomic experiment and data from household and market surveys in the western Kenyan highlands. The optimal maize yields and soil carbon stocks are higher than those observed in the region. This divergence is partly explained by farmers' heterogeneous time preferences (with the implied discount rates of 5% to 25%), information barriers, and market imperfections. The steady‐state shadow price for soil carbon ranges from $95/Mg to $168/Mg, indicating a significant opportunity cost for soil mismanagement.