Assessment of Agricultural Farming Systems Sustaina bility in Hamedan Province Using Ecological Footprint Analysi s (Case Study: Irrigated Wheat)

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.