Abstract:
Ecological footprint analysis in agriculture is a n
ew and evolving subject. The main
purpose of the study was to assess environmental su
stainability of conventional and
conservation tillage systems using ecological footp
rint analysis in Hamedan Province.
Global hectares (gha) were used to measure the ecol
ogical footprint unit. Data was
collected through questionnaires and use of cross-s
ectional multi-stage cluster sampling in
2013-2014 cropping year. Results revealed a signifi
cant difference in global hectares (gha)
between ecological footprints in conventional (2.96
) and conservation (2.84) systems. Both
cropping systems used agricultural lands more than
the ecologically productive land
required to offset the environmental impact of diff
erent farming activities, and are
therefore considered unsustainable. However, conser
vation systems proved to be more
environmentally sustainable. The ecological footpri
nt of fuel factor (gas oil and electricity)
in both cropping systems had the highest impact on
environmental sustainability: 49.70%
and 47.22 percent of global hectares; respectively.
Although environmental pollution was
reduced slightly by the conservation system, estima
ted footprint based on gha was
worrying. Addressing these challenges requires a na
tional commitment which would not
be possible without government intervention.
Keywords:
Carbon footprint, Global hectare, Tillage systems,
Sustainable agriculture.
