scholarly journals Agroforestry Benefits and Challenges for Adoption in Europe and Beyond

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 7001
Author(s):  
Maya Sollen-Norrlin ◽  
Bhim Bahadur Ghaley ◽  
Naomi Laura Jane Rintoul
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Soil Biodiversity ◽  
Global Concern

Soil degradation is a global concern, decreasing the soil’s ability to perform a multitude of functions. In Europe, one of the leading causes of soil degradation is unsustainable agricultural practices. Hence, there is a need to explore alternative production systems for enhanced agronomic productivity and environmental performance, such as agroforestry systems (AFS). Given this, the objective of the study is to enumerate the major benefits and challenges in the adoption of AFS. AFS can improve agronomic productivity, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, soil biodiversity, water retention, and pollination. Furthermore, they can reduce soil erosion and incidence of fire and provide recreational and cultural benefits. There are several challenges to the adoption and uptake of AFS in Europe, including high costs for implementation, lack of financial incentives, limited AFS product marketing, lack of education, awareness, and field demonstrations. Policies for financial incentives such as subsidies and payments for ecosystem services provided by AFS must be introduced or amended. Awareness of AFS products must be increased for consumers through appropriate marketing strategies, and landowners need more opportunities for education on how to successfully manage diverse, economically viable AFS. Finally, field-based evidence is required for informed decision-making by farmers, advisory services, and policy-making bodies.

scholarly journals Environmental assessment of the Tung cultivation through life cycle analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Bern�l ◽  
Rosana Schneider ◽  
�nio Machado
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Life Cycle Management ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Family Farms ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
The Past ◽  
Ecosystem Changes ◽  
Poor Soil

Over the past few decades, conventional agriculture has been facing serious crises caused by numerous factors, including poor soil management and the excessive application of pesticides. Thus, alternative production systems have been developed, including agroforestry systems, especially those that produce both energy and food. The objective of this study was to environmentally evaluate the culture of Aleurites fordii Hemls. (Tung) using the Life Cycle Assessment method with the SimaPro 7.3.2 software. The results revealed that in family farms that use less mechanization to harvest crops, the primary category of environmental impact was land use, which included the removal of animal and vegetable species and ecosystem changes. The full impact of this category was 1741.21 m2yr PDF (potentially disappeared fraction). Subsequently, prognostics were established for the reduction of such impacts, and we conclude that Tung has a high potential for agricultural installation with high responsibility to the environment. Keywords: Environmental factors, Aleurites fordii Hemls, Life Cycle Management, Tung.

scholarly journals Simulating the Response of Drought–Tolerant Maize Varieties to Nitrogen Application in Contrasting Environments in the Nigeria Savannas Using the APSIM Model

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Aloysius Beah ◽  
Alpha Y. Kamara ◽  
Jibrin M. Jibrin ◽  
Folorunso M. Akinseye ◽  
Abdullahi I. Tofa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
N Application ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Maize Varieties

This paper assessed the application of the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM)–maize module as a decision support tool for optimizing nitrogen application to determine yield and net return of maize production under current agricultural practices in the Nigeria savannas. The model was calibrated for two maize varieties using data from field experiments conducted under optimum conditions in three locations during the 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons. The model was evaluated using an independent dataset from an experiment conducted under different nitrogen (N) levels in two locations within Southern and Northern Guinea savannas. The results show that model accurately predicted days to 50% anthesis and physiological maturity, leaf area index (LAI), grain yield and total dry matter (TDM) of both varieties with low RMSE and RMSEn (%) values within the range of acceptable statistics indices. Based on 31-year seasonal simulation, optimum mean grain yield of 3941 kg ha−1 for Abuja, and 4549 for Kano was simulated at N rate of 120 kg ha–1 for the early maturing variety 2009EVDT. Meanwhile in Zaria, optimum mean yield of 4173 kg ha–1 was simulated at N rate of 90 kg ha−1. For the intermediate maturing variety, IWDC2SYNF2 mean optimum yields of 5152, 5462, and 4849 kg ha−1, were simulated at N application of 120 kg ha−1 for all the locations. The probability of exceeding attainable mean grain yield of 3000 and 4000 kg ha−1 for 2009EVDT and IWDC2SYNF2, respectively would be expected in 95% of the years with application of 90 kg N ha−1 across the three sites. Following the profitability scenarios analysis, the realistic net incomes of US$ 536 ha–1 for Abuja, and US$ 657 ha−1 for Zaria were estimated at N rate of 90 kg ha−1 and at Kano site, realistic net income of US$ 720 ha–1was estimated at N rate of 120 kg ha−1 for 2009EVDT.For IWDC2SYNF2, realistic net incomes of US$ 870, 974, and 818 ha−1 were estimated at N application of 120 kg ha−1 for Abuja, Zaria, and Kano respectively. The result of this study suggests that 90 kg N ha−1 can be recommended for 2009EVDT and 120 kg N ha–1 for IWDC2SYNF2 in Abuja and Zaria while in Kano, 120 kg N ha−1 should be applied to both varieties to attain optimum yield and profit.

scholarly journals Projections of Local Knowledge-Based Adaptation Strategies of Mexican Coffee Farmers

Climate ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Patricia Ruiz-García ◽  
Cecilia Conde-Álvarez ◽  
Jesús David Gómez-Díaz ◽  
Alejandro Ismael Monterroso-Rivas
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Local Knowledge ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Southern Mexico ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Coffee Farmers ◽  
Extreme Hydrological Events ◽  
Adaptation Policies

Local knowledge can be a strategy for coping with extreme events and adapting to climate change. In Mexico, extreme events and climate change projections suggest the urgency of promoting local adaptation policies and strategies. This paper provides an assessment of adaptation actions based on the local knowledge of coffee farmers in southern Mexico. The strategies include collective and individual adaptation actions that farmers have established. To determine their viability and impacts, carbon stocks and fluxes in the system’s aboveground biomass were projected, along with water balance variables. Stored carbon contents are projected to increase by more than 90%, while maintaining agroforestry systems will also help serve to protect against extreme hydrological events. Finally, the integration of local knowledge into national climate change adaptation plans is discussed and suggested with a local focus. We conclude that local knowledge can be successful in conserving agroecological coffee production systems.

scholarly journals Does Traditional Agroforestry a Sustainable Production System in Bangladesh? An Analysis of Socioeconomic and Ecological Perspectives

Conservation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-35
Author(s):  
Kazi Kamrul Islam ◽  
Mohammad Saifullah ◽  
Kimihiko Hyakumura
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Sustainable Land Use ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
The Social ◽  
Traditional Agroforestry ◽  
Benefit Cost

In the tropics, products and services provided by the traditional agroforestry systems (TAS) support the basic needs and promote the livelihood of millions of rural people. However, the outcomes and mitigation of TAS, in particular, the social and environmental issues are not systematically addressed. Thus, the objective of the study was to assess the economic, social and environmental outcomes of two important TAS in Bangladesh. This study reports results on prospective analyses using the Date palm and Jackfruit-based TAS practiced in the Jashore and Mymensingh districts of Bangladesh. The results revealed that the TAS enhanced farm productivity and the benefit–cost ratio of both systems were much higher than the general agricultural practices in Bangladesh. The TAS also improved resilience of rural farmers through more efficient water utilization, enhancing soil fertility, improving microclimate, controlling pests and diseases, and diversifying products. At the same time, the farmers’ problems were neglected due to the absence of farmers’ platforms, and also tradeoffs may arise; thus, the social aspects of the TAS farmers had not developed equally. Therefore, the study would recommend minimizing the tradeoffs through enhancing the conservation strategies at farmers’ levels to make the TAS more viable and sustainable land-use practices.

Estratégias para promoção do diálogo de saberes entre agricultores familiares e educandos sobre o bioma Pampa

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-201
Author(s):  
Ketlin Vitoria Espinosa Sandim ◽  
Stefany Areva Severo ◽  
Cláudio Becker ◽  
Adriana Carla Dias Trevisan
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Family Farmers ◽  
Pampa Biome ◽  
Local Species ◽  
Young Students ◽  
Ecological Importance

Este estudo buscou promover a disseminação de informações entre distintos sujeitos sociais sobre a importância ecológica da paisagem nos sistemas produtivos, tendo como tema gerador o conhecimento e reconhecimento de espécies botânicas nativas pelos agricultores familiares e educandos em Sant’Ana do Livramento-RS. Foram realizadas dezesseis entrevistas com os agricultores, que, depois de sistematizadas, delimitaram as estratégias de disseminação dos conteúdos aos jovens educandos. Os resultados demonstram que os agricultores entendem a importância da conservação do Pampa para seus cultivos e criação animal, percebem e utilizam o potencial econômico das espécies em sistemas tradicionais e agroflorestais. Quanto aos jovens educandos, foi possível avaliar a importância de oportunizar novos conteúdos e novas práticas pedagógicas. Além disso, os resultados permitem a reflexão da importância de conectar a pesquisa com a extensão universitária, bem como os saberes de adultos do campo com os saberes de jovens da cidade. Conclui-se que a troca de saberes é uma estratégia de valorização e conservação do bioma Pampa. Palavras-chave: Agroecologia; Biodiversidade; Juventude; Agroflorestas   Strategies for promoting knowledge dialogue between family farmers and students about the Pampa biome Abstract: This study sought to promote the dissemination of information between distinct social subjects about the ecological importance of the local flora in production systems. The generative theme is knowledge and recognition of native botanic species by family farmers and students in Santana do Livramento in the Rio Grande do Sul state (Brazil). Interviews with sixteen farmers were systematized and used to align strategies to disseminate content to young students. The results show that the farmers understand the importance of conservation of the Pampa for their crops and animal husbandry, perceiving the economic potential of various local species in traditional and agroforestry systems. In terms of the young students, it was possible to evaluate the importance of offering new pedagogical content and practices. The results allow a reflection on the importance of connecting research with university extension and linking the knowledge of adult farmers with young urban students. It was concluded that knowledge exchange is an important strategy for valorizing and conserving the Pampa biome. Keywords: Agroecology; Biodiversity; Youth; Agroforests

Ecoagriculture for a Sustainable Food Future

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Chalmer
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Constant Input ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
European Farming

Global food security is dependent on ecologically viable production systems, but current agricultural practices are often at odds with environmental sustainability. Resolving this disparity is a huge task, but there is much that can be learned from traditional food production systems that persisted for thousands of years. Ecoagriculture for a Sustainable Food Future describes the ecological history of food production systems in Australia, showing how Aboriginal food systems collapsed when European farming methods were imposed on bushlands. The industrialised agricultural systems that are now prevalent across the world require constant input of finite resources, and continue to cause destructive environmental change. This book explores the damage that has arisen from farming systems unsuited to their environment, and presents compelling evidence that producing food is an ecological process that needs to be rethought in order to ensure resilient food production into the future. Cultural sensitivity Readers are warned that there may be words, descriptions and terms used in this book that are culturally sensitive, and which might not normally be used in certain public or community contexts. While this information may not reflect current understanding, it is provided by the author in a historical context.

scholarly journals Determinantes de la adopción de estándares en el subsector hortícola del Noroeste de México.

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Martínez R. ◽  
Belem Avendaño R. ◽  
Ana Acosta M.
Keyword(s):  
Product Differentiation ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Natural Factors ◽  
Northwestern Region ◽  
Northwestern Mexico ◽  
Northwest Region

<p>La producción de hortalizas en la región Noroeste de México es una actividad económica relevante, lo cual se atribuye a factores naturales como el clima, calidad de los suelos y la cercanía al mercado de Estados Unidos de Norteamérica. Es evidente la creación de ventajas competitivas mediante la diferenciación del producto, por su calidad, a través de la aplicación de normas. La adopción de estándares es una práctica generalizada, sin embargo no está cuantificado el rol de las instituciones en estos procesos y su contribución a aumentar o inhibir los niveles de adopción de los mismos. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los factores que mas influyen en la implementación de grados y estándares en el sector hortícola en la región noroeste de México. Para la medición de la adopción se utilizó un modelo logit que permite determinar el efecto de las variables del entorno microeconómico que incide en la adopción de estándares. Se concluye que los cambios en los sistemas de producción mediante la aplicación de buenas prácticas agrícolas y las organizaciones de productores con actividades de capacitación, seguimiento y acompañamiento son lo que han contribuido en mayor forma al proceso de adopción de estándares por parte de las empresas productoras de hortalizas.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Determinants of the adoption of standards in the horticulture subsector of Northwestern Mexico.</strong></p><p>Vegetable production in the northwestern region of Mexico is an important economic activity; this is attributed to natural factors such as climate, soil quality, and proximity to the U.S. market. Clearly, the creation of competitive advantages gained by product differentiation, while maintaining quality, is extremely important and can be achieved through the application of standards. The adoption of standards is widespread; however, the role of institutions in these processes and their contribution to enhancing or inhibiting levels of implementation has not yet been quantified. The aim of this paper is to analyze the factors that most influence the execution of grades and standards in the horticultural industry in the northwest region of Mexico. Implementation levels were measured using a logit model that determined the effect of microenvironmental variables on them. The paper concludes that changes in production systems through the application of good agricultural practices and changes in organizations through training, monitoring, and support are what have helped companies that produce vegetables adopt and implement more standards.</p>

scholarly journals Implications of Climate Change on Soil Functions: A Case for Achieving Local Coconut Sufficiency from Sustainable Agricultural Practices

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinedu Egbunike ◽  
Nonso Okoye ◽  
Okoroji-Nma Okechukwu
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Soil Functions ◽  
Soil Biodiversity ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Climate change is a major threat to agricultural food production globally and locally. It poses both direct and indirect effects on soil functions. Thus, agricultural management practices has evolved to adaptation strategies in order to mitigate the risks and threats from climate change. The study concludes with a recommendation the coconut farmers should explore the idea of soil biodiversity in a bid to mitigate the potential negative impact of climate related risk on the farming. The study proffers the need for adopting sustainable agricultural practices to boost local coconut production. This can contribute to the simultaneous realisation of two of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations: SDG 2 on food security and sustainable agriculture and SDG 13 on action to combat climate change and its impacts. The study findings has implications for tackling climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa and in particular Nigeria in order to boost local agricultural production and coconut in particular without negative environmental consequences and an ability to cope with climate change related risks.

Soils

2019 ◽  
pp. 67-90
Author(s):  
Nicola P. Randall ◽  
Barbara Smith
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Soil Formation ◽  
Soil Biology ◽  
Soil Processes ◽  
Soil Biodiversity ◽  
Productive Land ◽  
And Function ◽  
Agriculture And Food

This chapter gives a basic introduction to soil formation and fundamental soil processes in agroecosystems. The types of soils found in agroecosystems and their importance for agriculture is explored, with a principal focus on soil biodiversity, i.e. soil-dwelling organisms, their variety and function, and the interaction between soil biology, agriculture, and food production. The chapter describes some of the issues associated with soils in agroecosystems. These include interactions between agricultural practices and soil erosion and soil quality issues such as salinization and desertification. The major challenges to maintaining ‘healthy’ soils on productive land are outlined, and approaches and techniques for managing soils described.

scholarly journals Geoarchaeological insights into the location of Indus settlements on the plains of northwest India

2019 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
pp. 137-155
Author(s):  
Sayantani Neogi ◽  
Charles A.I. French ◽  
Julie A. Durcan ◽  
Ravindra N. Singh ◽  
Cameron A. Petrie
Keyword(s):  
Water Retention ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Cultural Adaptations ◽  
Recent Modification ◽  
Indus Civilisation ◽  
Northwest India ◽  
Locational Context ◽  
Fine Organic

AbstractThis article presents a geomorphological and micromorphological study of the locational context of four Indus civilisation archaeological sites—Alamgirpur, Masudpur I and VII, and Burj—all situated on the Sutlej-Yamuna interfluve in northwest India. The analysis indicates a strong correlation between settlement foundation and particular landscape positions on an extensive alluvial floodplain. Each of the analysed sites was located on sandy levees and/or riverbank deposits associated with former channels. These landscape positions would have situated settlements above the level of seasonal floodwater resulting from the Indian summer monsoon. In addition, the sandy soils on the margins of these elevated landscape positions would have been seasonally replenished with water, silt, clay, and fine organic matter, considerably enhancing their capacity for water retention and fertility and making them particularly suitable for agriculture. These former landscapes are obscured by recent modification and extensive agricultural practices. These geoarchaeological evaluations indicate that there is a hidden landscape context for each Indus settlement. This specific type of interaction between humans and their local context is an important aspect of Indus cultural adaptations to diverse, variable, and changing environments.

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