Accounting of good agricultural practices in north-western hill agri-food systems

Abstract

Accounting of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in hill agri-food systems means tracking, quantifying and reporting the financial costs, environmental impacts and compliance premiums of sustainable mountain farming. The GAPs address the main weaknesses of hill agriculture such as water erosion, moisture stress, declining soil fertility and low diversification; and support climate resilience by improving infiltration, reducing runoff and stabilising production under aberrant conditions. Monetary accounting covers two linked benefits i.e. direct farm gains, and the additional value of the ecosystem services that GAPs protect or enhance. Thus, GAPs, raise private income and can also justify payments for ecosystem services, because society benefits from cleaner water, healthier soils, carbon storage and biodiversity.