In many parts of Asia food security and poverty remain issues even though arable land is available to produce nutritious food. Sustainable intensification of agricultural systems has been proposed to produce more outputs on same land area whilst minimizing environmental degradation. Tradeoffs, however, are inevitable and evidence thereof is scant. In this study, we analyze effects of sustainable intensification of rice-based systems with potato and focus on the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains of India and Bangladesh. A literature review, expert consultation, and an economic surplus exercise are used to address our objective. We find that sustainable intensification has a huge potential and positive welfare effects. Socio-economic tradeoffs, especially for labour, need to be considered and balanced out. Increasing input efficiency for instance by improving farming practices may reduce negative environmental effects.

中文翻译：

---

印度东部恒河平原基于水稻的马铃薯系统持续集约化

在亚洲许多地区，即使有可耕地来生产营养食品，粮食安全和贫困仍然是问题。有人提议可持续集约化农业系统，以在同一土地面积上产生更多产出，同时将环境退化降至最低。但是，折衷是不可避免的，证据很少。在这项研究中，我们分析了马铃薯以稻米为基础的系统可持续集约化的影响，并将重点放在印度和孟加拉国的东印度－恒河平原上。文献综述，专家咨询和经济盈余练习都用于解决我们的目标。我们发现，可持续集约化具有巨大潜力和积极的福利效应。需要考虑和平衡社会经济的权衡，特别是在劳动力方面。