scholarly journals A Sustainable Organic Production Model for “Food Sovereignty” in the United Arab Emirates and Sicily-Italy

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid Butti Al Shamsi ◽  
Antonio Compagnoni ◽  
Giuseppe Timpanaro ◽  
Salvatore Cosentino ◽  
Paolo Guarnaccia
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Food Sovereignty ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Production Model

scholarly journals Appraisal of the conversion possibilities of pastoral meat sheep systems to the organic production model

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Francisco de Asís Ruiz ◽  
Daniel Grande ◽  
José Nahed ◽  
José María Castel ◽  
Yolanda Mena
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Pastoral Systems ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Meat Sheep ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Abstract In the Mediterranean Basin, sheep meat production systems are based on grazing, and help to conserve biodiversity, mitigate the greenhouse gases emissions and maintain the population in rural areas. However, the lack of differentiation of pastoral systems, as opposed to the intensive model, puts its continuity at risk. In this sense, organic farming can be an alternative to sustain extensive sheep-cereal production systems in marginal Mediterranean drylands. The aim of this research was to evaluate the conversion possibilities of pastoral meat sheep production systems to the organic production model in the Mediterranean Basin, working with the autochthonous Segureña breed sheep. 46 farms were studied, classified into four clusters by mean of multivariate analysis. In order to determine the degree to which farms approached the organic model, 60 variables, grouped into nine indicators were analyzed to obtain an Organic Conversion Index (OCI). The Nutritional management indicator has a high value of approaching the organic model, as well as Animal welfare and Food safety. Marketing and business management, Breeds and reproduction, Weed and pest control and Sustainable pasture management indicators also reach a good approximation level. Only the Breeds and reproduction indicator presented values with significant differences between clusters. The average value of the OCI for the 46 farms ranges from 63 to 70%, and therefore it can be concluded that extensive meat sheep herds in the region are close to this production model. Among the recommendations that can be made to improve the conversion possibilities to the organic model are: (i) to increase own fodder production or find a way to obtain it easily and economically; (ii) to complete the plant−soil−animal cycle, (iii) to seek greater marketing autonomy and (iv) to achieve closer contact with the final consumer. At the same time, government policy both in Spain and other parts of Europe should persevere to find more ways to support the progress of this type of production, in an effort to address limitations and overcome the lack of alternative markets.

Understanding the barriers and exploring the possibilities of the organic livestock sector in dehesa agroforestry systems: a multi-actor approach for effective diagnosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 663-677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Horrillo ◽  
Paula Gaspar ◽  
Francisco J. Mesías ◽  
Ahmed Elghannam ◽  
Miguel Escribano
Keyword(s):  
Stocking Density ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Difficult Situation ◽  
Extensive Farming

AbstractThe dehesa agroforestry system is classified as one of the most singular ecosystems in the European Union. In the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, it spreads over an area of approximately 6.7 million hectares, contributing major environmental, cultural, aesthetic and economic value to the region. The main agricultural activity that is developed in this ecosystem is the extensive farming of cattle, sheep and Iberian pigs with low stocking density and few inputs. Sustainable management of these ecosystems' existing production farms is essential in order to secure their continuity, as they face a difficult situation on account of their low profitability. One of the strategies that could be employed to attain a sustainable situation is the proposition of an organic production model. In order to explore this option, a participatory research process has been proposed and developed in the Spanish region called Extremadura (Spain). The aim of this process is to investigate the potential of extensive farming systems in moving toward a sustainable organic production model, identifying the main barriers preventing livestock farmers from converting to the organic model and seeking specific improvement measures that would reduce such barriers. For that purpose, four focus group sessions were run with a total of 33 participating stakeholders. For the analysis of these focus groups, Atlas.ti qualitative software was used to categorize and quantify the main ideas proposed during the sessions. The findings revealed that the main barriers can be classified into three groups: barriers that are inherent to the production processes and the structure of the specific sector, barriers associated with administration and management issues and lastly, barriers relating to education and training of the various actors involved. We consider this paper may contribute to policy makers' decisions to focus on specific actions for improvement that are customized for the socio-economic and environmental conditions of the region.

scholarly journals Analysis of Relationships and Sustainability Performance in Organic Agriculture in the United Arab Emirates and Sicily (Italy)

Resources ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid Butti Al Shamsi ◽  
Paolo Guarnaccia ◽  
Salvatore Cosentino ◽  
Cherubino Leonardi ◽  
Paolo Caruso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Sustainable Production ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Food And Agriculture

Climate change, recurrent economic and financial crises and food security issues are forcing society to look at the increasingly widespread use of “sustainable” production practices. These are often translated into innovations for businesses that are not always easily achievable other than through specific investments. This work sets out to assess the sustainability performance of organic farms, which represent a sustainable production model in terms of values, standards, practices and knowledge on the ground. The research was carried out in two geographical contexts (the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sicily, Italy) which have certain environmental and socio-economic issues in common, particularly in productive sectors representative of organic agriculture. This was done with the help of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture Systems (SAFA, in the rest of the text) framework and social network analysis to study the sustainability performance of organic farms within non-structured local production systems in the form of formal enterprise networks that, on the contrary, operate with a recognized and common aim. The results demonstrate both their attainment of excellence and the existence of criticalities, thus, identifying routes to possible improvement.

scholarly journals Potential for Conversion of Agrosilvopastoral Systems of Dairy Cattle to the Organic Production Model in South Eastern Mexico

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 3081-3093 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Nahed-Tora ◽  
B. Sanchez-Mu ◽  
Y. Mena ◽  
J. Ruiz-Rojas ◽  
R. Aguilar-Ji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Production Model ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Agrosilvopastoral Systems

scholarly journals Considerations regarding improving the ecological and environmental performance of agriculture

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 697-707
Author(s):  
Lavinia Popescu ◽  
Adela Sorinela Safta
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Continuous Training ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Environmentally Responsible

AbstractThe agri-environment economy provides a significant database for environmental policy decisions. The prioritization of an actionable behavior regarding the agri-environment vulnerabilities, favors the orientation of the agriculture through more environmentally responsible methods, represents a current trend, with a broad support within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The promotion of an agricultural model capable of ensuring its own sustainability implies the existence of a set of common values and rules in which to buy as many producers as possible, with a common objective, respectively to reduce greenhouse emissions and to promote an ecological responsibility of the production model. Agriculture can significantly contribute to achieving the objectives of reducing the negative effects of climate change, not only from the perspective of ensuring the conservation of carbon reservoirs, which are still present in the soil, or by expanding their size and favoring the formation of humus, but in particular by reducing the consumption of energy needed in agricultural production and the supply of biomass needed for renewable energy production., much greener. The transition to a low carbon economy, more environmentally responsible, in the national agricultural sector can contribute, both to the significant increase of food security, but also to the optimization of the agricultural production structures, which will thus conform more easy to environmental requirements. It becomes primarily the role of implementation in agriculture of feasible standards more environmentally friendly, and environmentally friendly in this context, the research in the field and the continuous training acquiring new values. An important role is played by the implementation of best practice methods in the proper management of the land and the promotion of organic production models can significantly contribute to increasing the carbon absorption in the soil and, at the same time, to indicate possible improvments in their performance.

scholarly journals Decomposition of cover crop mulch and weed control under a no-till system for organic maize

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamara Freitas Brito ◽  
João Carlos Cardoso Galvão ◽  
Jeferson Giehl ◽  
Steliane Pereira Coellho ◽  
Silvane de Almeida Campos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Weed Biomass ◽  
Jack Bean ◽  
White Lupine

The decomposition dynamics of cover crop mulch influence the nutrient supply of successor crops and weed suppression. This is even more relevant in organic production systems, due to their limited use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides. As such, the aim of this study was to quantify biomass production, model the decomposition and N, P and K release of the mulch of different cover crops, and assess the weed suppression of cover crops in the form of mulch and in consortium with organic maize. A randomized block design was used, with a 7x2 factorial scheme (7 cover crop management strategies and 2 cropping systems - maize in monoculture and intercropped with jack bean) and 4 replicates. The management practices that produced the most biomass were white lupine intercropped with black oat and the white lupine, black oat and sunflower monocultures. The use of cover crops did not differ from manual weeding in terms of weed biomass, but did affect the relative importance (RI) of nutgrass. Additionally, maize intercropped with jack bean reduced weed biomass in subsequent crop growth stages.

scholarly journals Mexican native varieties and plant health in the context of COVID-19: The case of Solanum lycopersicum

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hipolito Cortez-Madrigal ◽  
Rineaud Nord ◽  
Edgar Villar-Luna
Keyword(s):  
Solanum Lycopersicum ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Food Sovereignty ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Marginalized Communities ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Emergency Situations ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
Agricultural Food

<p>The importance of native Mexican varieties in agricultural food production is analyzed, discussed and reflected upon, particularly regarding emergency situations such as the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The main example used is the tomato, <em>Solanum lycopersicum</em>, comparatively with commercial varieties. Evidence is provided of the higher tolerance of native varieties to pests and diseases. When grafted onto commercial varieties, they maintained their tolerance, but also increased their yield. Before and perhaps during the pandemic, native tomato varieties have been an important food source for several marginalized communities in Mexico. The analysis suggests that the agricultural food production based on native varieties may help solve problems in the supply chain of imported agricultural inputs, while also solving the dependency on agrochemicals, fertilizers and commercial varieties, and promoting family-produced foods. A lower dependence on industrialized inputs would contribute towards self-sufficiency and food sovereignty, with nutritious and innocuous foods. In times of a pandemic, the family production model in marginalized rural settings would help reduce the mobility of people and the risk of contagion, increase food security and reduce SARS-CoV-2 risk factors due to the incidence of chronic diseases, particularly metabolic diseases.</p>

Feasibility of converting agrosilvopastoral systems of dairy cattle to the organic production model in southeastern Mexico

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 136-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Nahed-Toral ◽  
B. Sanchez-Muñoz ◽  
Y. Mena ◽  
J. Ruiz-Rojas ◽  
R. Aguilar-Jimenez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Agrosilvopastoral Systems
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