Role of Agricultural Activities on Environmental Degradation based on Ecological Footprint in Selected MENA Countries

Agriculture is one of the most important economic activities that pave the way for the degradation of natural resources. The interrelationship between environmental degradation and agriculture is an issue that has received much attention, especially in developing countries. One of the criteria that measures the set of pressures on the environment is the ecological footprint index, which shows the extent of human impact on the environment. In the present study, using the ecological footprint index as a measure of environmental degradation, the relationship between agricultural activities and environmental degradation with respect to population impact and energy consumption for selected MENA countries in the form of Panel data for 1995-2018 was investigated. The results showed that in the long run, per capita national income, total agricultural production and total population had a negative and significant effect on ecological footprint, but in the short term, national per capita income and total agricultural production have had a positive and significant effect while there is a one-way causality from national per capita income and total population to ecological footprint that has caused environmental degradation. On the other hand, the error correction coefficient indicates the slow pace of adjustment in the short run, and total agricultural production and national per capita income have the greatest impact on environmental degradation. Therefore, by focusing on policies to increase per capita income along with the use of superior technologies in agriculture to protect the environment, the selected countries of Mena can prevent environmental degradation and achieve sustainable development.