Feasibility of Introducing New Crops: Production-Marketing-Consumption (PMC) Systems

摘要

The feasibility of introducing new crops into United States agriculture is examined. Presented are descriptive models of the crop production-marketing-consumption (PMC) system and impact studies for six agricultural crops new to the US--kenaf, jojoba, guayule, pigeon pea, grain amaranth, and crambe. A general crop introduction process was developed that leads to a functioning PMC system for any new crop at the local, regional, or national level. A systems approach was used to collect, synthesize, and analyze information for the PMC system. After formulating the analytical model (the PMC System Decision), information on the new crops was used to evaluate the components of the 'new crop PMC systems.' The Delphi technique, in combination with the matrix framework, was applied to collect additional information and to identify constraints. Alternative strategies to alleviate such constraints were developed for further consideration.