McReynolds et. al. discuss agricultural land tenure in El Salvador in relation to environmental issues. Currently El Salvador experiences several issues of economic degradation including deforestation and pesticide poisoning, caused in part by neoliberal agricultural practices. The authors give an overview of land tenure changes from the past few decades beginning from the agrarian reform of 1980. After the structural adjustment policies of the late 1980s and 1990s El Salvador became one of the most privatized countries in Central America which has had many negative impacts for agriculture. International prices dropped, which hurt an agricultural system based largely on exports. As well, cheap grains imported from the US and other countries as a result of reduced tariffs had a huge negative effect on domestic growers who cannot compete, though the dairy and meat sector have benefitted.
The bulk of the article looks at the environmental effects of neoliberalizion of agriculture, comparing holding size and tenure style. While the results were not always clear or expected a few patterns did emerge. Reform cooperatives typically had the best practices in terms of intensification and alternative crop use, whereas small owners had the most intensive land and chemical use-generally out of necessity as they cannot afford to leave anything fallow. The authors conclude that mid-sized holdings with secure tenure may be the best option for sustainability and equality.
Despite a lack of definitive findings this has implications for agricultural policies. Those which push for intensification of yields result in harmful environmental outcomes as well as inequality which forces smaller farmers to use unsustainable techniques.
- McReynolds, Samuel A., Thomas Johnston, and Charles Geisler. “The Relationship of Land Tenure to Agricultural Practices and the Environment in El Salvador.” Culture & Agriculture 22.1 (2000): 9-28.