Agricultural Production Practices Research Articles

To what extent do brands contribute to sustainability transition in agricultural production practices? Lessons from three European case studies

Brands hold a promising contribution to align the food system with sustainable farm development. The food system consists of a myriad of, generally small-scale, producers and consumers and retail chains provide the link between the two. As such, their brands determine to a large extend what is understood by sustainability. This article focuses on brands' sustainability definitions and their requirements from a producer's perspective. Theoretical exploration of interlinkages between the heterogeneity in farming practices, transition processes in the food system, and brands' general isomorphic character provide a lens for an empirical analysis of their contribution to change farm production towards more sustainability practices. Case studies from three European regions illuminate how institutional settings determine whether family farms and rural livelihoods benefit from the brands' sustainability claims or are restricted and endangered by the new rules and regulations imposed upon them. This way, the paper provides theoretical understanding how brand development provides the institutional conditions for farmers to reconcile economic goals with sustainability claims, but obstructs a more profound transition to agroecological practices. This asks for political intervention to create the conditions and means for capacity building at community level that will allow for a more far-reaching transition to sustainability.

Evaluation of the Regional-Scale Optimal K Rate Based on Sustainable Apple Yield and High-Efficiency K Use in Loess Plateau and Bohai Bay of China: A Meta-Analysis

In order to meet the growing food demand of the global population and maintain sustainable soil fertility, there is an urgent need to optimize fertilizer application amount in agricultural production practices. Most of the existing studies on the optimal K rates for apple orchards were based on case studies and lack information on optimizing K-fertilizer management on a regional scale. Here, we used the method of combining meta-analysis with the K application rate-yield relationship model to quantify and summarize the optimal K rates of the Loess Plateau and Bohai Bay regions in China. We built a dataset based on 159 observations obtained from 18 peer-reviewed literature studies distributed in 15 different research sites and evaluated the regional-scale optimal K rates for apple production. The results showed that the linear plus platform model was more suitable for estimating the regional-scale optimal K rates, which were 208.33 and 176.61 kg K ha−1 for the Loess Plateau and Bohai Bay regions of China, respectively. Compared with high K application rates, the optimal K rates increased K use efficiency by 45.88–68.57%, with almost no yield losses. The optimal K rates also enhanced the yield by 6.30% compared with the low K application rates.

Emerging satellite observations for diurnal cycling of ecosystem processes.

Diurnal cycling of plant carbon uptake and water use, and their responses to water and heat stresses, provide direct insight into assessing ecosystem productivity, agricultural production and management practices, carbon and water cycles, and feedbacks to the climate. Temperature, light, atmospheric water demand, soil moisture and leaf water potential vary over the course of the day, leading to diurnal variations in stomatal conductance, photosynthesis and transpiration. Earth observations from polar-orbiting satellites are incapable of studying these diurnal variations. Here, we review the emerging satellite observations that have the potential for studying how plant functioning and ecosystem processes vary over the course of the diurnal cycle. The recently launched ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) and Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 (OCO-3) provide land surface temperature, evapotranspiration (ET), gross primary production (GPP) and solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence data at different times of day. New generation operational geostationary satellites such as Himawari-8 and the GOES-R series can provide continuous, high-frequency data of land surface temperature, solar radiation, GPP and ET. Future satellite missions such as GeoCarb, TEMPO and Sentinel-4 are also planned to have diurnal sampling capability of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence. We explore the unprecedented opportunities for characterizing and understanding how GPP, ET and water use efficiency vary over the course of the day in response to temperature and water stresses, and management practices. We also envision that these emerging observations will revolutionize studies of plant functioning and ecosystem processes in the context of climate change and that these observations and findings can inform agricultural and forest management and lead to improvements in Earth system models and climate projections.

Development and Yield Traits Indicate That the Constitutive Wound Response Phenotype of Prosystemin Overexpressing Tomato Plants Entails No Fitness Penalty

Systemin is a peptide hormone that regulates the wound response in tomato plants. Consequently, the overexpression of its prosystemin (ProSys) precursor protein leads to a resource-demanding constitutive activation of tomato’s wound-response. According to the growth vs. defense resource allocation premise, ProSys overexpression should negatively affect the physiological fitness of tomato plants. The present study was performed to explore why the opposite effect was steadily observed, instead. It was based on the premise that a better understanding of this unexpected outcome could help establish improved wound and related defense responses without negatively affecting crop productivity. To this effect, an experimental strategy was deployed to measure various physiological, biochemical and molecular parameters associated with either development, productivity, defense or in combination in untransformed (WT) and ProSys overexpressing (ProSys-OE) tomato plants. Thus, the chlorophyll fluorescence data obtained from plants grown under greenhouse experiments indicated that photosynthetic performance was not affected in ProSys-OE plants which also grew 7–14% taller than WT plants. Moreover, they showed accelerated flowering and yielded fruits of increased size (7–16% taller and wider) and weight (16–58% heavier), with modified fruit quality in terms of firmness (28% higher), titratable acidity (27–32% higher) and chemical composition. These findings suggest two complementary possibilities: (i) systemin is able to modulate both the wound response and plant development through the activation of jasmonic acid biosynthesis and signaling, and (ii) ProSys, an intrinsically disordered protein, acts as a signaling hub to regulate development and defense programs. These results shed light on the understanding of this plant regulatory mechanism and further suggest that systemin/ProSys-based regulation is central to control the defense-development balance in tomato. This knowledge could eventually lead to improved and more environmentally sound agricultural production practices.

Overview of Farmers’ Perceptions of Current Status and Constraints to Soybean Production in Ratanakiri Province of Cambodia

A study was undertaken in Koun Mom district of Ratanakiri province in Cambodia to analyze the perceptions of the current status and constraints to soybean production and identify solutions to improve production and the management practices. Primary data were collected by personal interviews at field level of 130 producers. Most respondents were in the medium age category, Grade 4 education, with an average land holding of 2.96 ha and annual income of KHR 6,195,548 Riels (about 1548 USD). In terms of economic and production constraints, the high cost of fertilizers, severe insect and disease infestation, were identified as most important. Association with independent characteristics and scientific orientation were not significant, but education, land holding, annual income, socioeconomic status, and risk preference were significantly associated with constraints to soybean production. Within the context of sustainable agricultural production practices, it is suggested to improve high-yielding genotypes, ensure timely availability of high-quality seeds, and identify appropriate crop management practices (planting dates, planting density, nutrient and water management practices) and find ways to efficiently and effectively disseminate information to farmers to enhance soybean production in the region. In addition, extension agents and other agencies should provide soybean farmers marketing information, establish viable links between farmers and relevant stakeholders and private sector to improve access to inputs and modern technologies while the local and state governments should establish rural markets with good market infrastructure to enable farmers have high returns from soybean production.

Shortened key growth periods of soybean observed in China under climate change

Phenology is an important indicator of global climate change. Revealing the spatiotemporal characteristics of crop phenology is vital for ameliorating the adverse effects of climate change and guiding regional agricultural production. This study evaluated the spatiotemporal variability of soybean’s phenological stages and key growth periods, and assessed their sensitivity to key climatic factors, utilizing a long-term dataset (1992–2018) of soybean phenology and associated meteorological data collected at 51 stations across China. The results showed that (1) during the soybean growing seasons from 1992 to 2018, the average temperature (0.34 ± 0.09 ℃ decade−1) and cumulative precipitation (6.66 ± 0.93 mm decade−1) increased, but cumulative sunshine hours (− 33.98 ± 1.05 h decade−1) decreased. (2) On a national scale, dates of sowing, emergence, trifoliate, anthesis, and podding of soybean were delayed, while the maturity date showed an advancing trend. The vegetative growth period (− 0.52 ± 0.24 days decade−1) and whole growth period (− 1.32 ± 0.30 days decade−1) of soybean were shortened, but the reproductive growth period (0.05 ± 0.26 days decade−1) was slightly extended. Trends in soybean phenological stages and key growth periods diverged in regions. Soybean phenological stages were delayed in Huang-Huai-Hai soybean zone, whereas advanced in southern soybean zone. Moreover, the key growth periods were greatly shortened in northern soybean zone. (3) In general, the sensitivity of soybean key growth periods to temperature was negative, whereas those to precipitation and sunshine hours differed among regions. In particular, most phenological stages were negatively sensitive to sunshine hours. Our results will provide scientific support for decision-making in agricultural production practices.

Using the Main Hydrophysical Characteristics of Soils in the Development of Methods for Modeling the Prevention of Erosion Processes

In the practice of agricultural production, there are enough examples in the field of agriculture, when non-observance and violation of the laws of agriculture did not receive positive results. These include unjustified land reclamation, chemicalization, intensive technologies, reforming the agro-industrial complex. Taken without taking into account mutual, systemic connections, factors and methods seemed to be quite reasonable, extremely necessary, ecologically justified, and as a result, they often led to negative results of the functioning of agricultural production. In addition, it must be borne in mind that the state of agriculture has a huge impact on all aspects of the life of society and the country as a whole. It should be reminded of food independence and self-sufficiency in food. The laws of agriculture are manifested in production conditions in the universal law of conservation of matter and energy, in the system man - nature. Attempts to solve problems without scientific substantiation, bypass or ignore objective economic and natural laws have always ended in failure. In order not to unreasonably harm agroecological landscapes, an increasing number of computer techniques are proposed for modeling soil processes.

Impact of information acquisition on farmers’ willingness to recycle plastic mulch film residues in China

Recently there has been an increasing concern about plastic mulch film pollution from agricultural production in China. Given the knowledge of plastic mulch film is information-intensive, the lack of information might be the primary constraint for farmers to adopt recycling practices. Additionally, the potential self-selection bias in the information acquisition process raises an empirical challenge in accurately estimating the impact of information acquisition and information intensity on farmers’ adoption behaviors. To this end, this study first creates a propensity-weighted sample and subsequently employs the multi-valued treatment effects model to analyze how information acquisition influences farmers’ recycling choices, using the sample data from Yunnan province China. The results indicate that information acquisition exerts a positive and significant impact on farmers’ recycling choices, where higher information intensity increases the likelihood of recycling plastic film residues. Understanding the role of information acquisition could assist policymakers in focusing on knowledge diffusion when designing programs to facilitate better management of plastic residues and other sustainable agricultural production practices.

Back to the Farm at Durga’s Den

Abstract Durga’s Den is a 5-acre rural property located close to Ocho Rios, a popular tourism destination in Jamaica. In the last 12 years, it has been transformed into a model of ecological management and sustainable farming: 100% organic production; natural and local materials for all construction; harvesting of rainwater; recycling of waste; use of natural energy sources; and high engagement with local communities. Information Adapted from: Current Agricultural Production Practices and Potential for Mainstreaming Agroecology in Jamaica . Report of a National Consultation held in May 2018, Durga’s Den, St. Anns, Jamaica. Report prepared under a Letter of Agreement between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and CAB International (CABI), Trinidad and Tobago. October 2018. © CAB International 2021

Are There Any Undesired Effects of Anti-Land Fragmentation Programs on Farm Production Practices and Farm Input Use?

Most policies designed to reduce land fragmentation involve land consolidation. However, research examining the relationship between agricultural zoning and land fragmentation has not yet been explored. This paper considers the causal impact of an anti-land fragmentation policy on farmland use and farm production inputs relevant to environmental quality using a population-based census survey of farm households in Taiwan. Using the regression discontinuity method, we found that the anti-land fragmentation policy reduced the proportion of farmland used in farm production and environmental conservation by 2.4% and 2.6%, respectively. The policy also impacted the proportion of farmland using fertilizers, irrigation systems, and underground water. Our results show that anti-land fragmentation policies must be carefully designed to avoid negatively impacting farmland use and the environment.

Food for Thought: Addressing Urban Food Security Risks through Urban Agriculture

Food and nutrition security has been neglected in the planning field for reasons of a lack of connection between food and planning and the perception that agricultural activities have no place in the modernizing world. However, considering increasing climate change impacts and implications on industrialized agriculture, there is a clear need to establish shorter, more sustainable agricultural production practices and food supply chains. Urban agriculture is proposed as a potential method of intervention for planners to support sustainable food production and supply chains. The paper utilized a multiple-case study design to analyze four best practice examples of urban agriculture in the Global South to uncover its potential to address food security associated risks and contribute to sustainable development objectives. The results delivered evidence of the potential to harness the multifunctionality of urban agriculture to not only improve the food security of the most at-risk populations, but to also address other urban risks such as unemployment, community decline and food deserts. The recommendations for this paper relate to establishing a food security department, mapping and encouraging more sustainable food supply chains, creating land uses and zonings specific to urban agriculture and to utilize its multifunctionality to address other urban risks.

Impacts of Population Pressure on Agricultural Production and Farming Practices of Households: The Case of Essera Woreda in Dawro Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Agricultureasaprimaryeconomicactivityisthemajoreconomicbaseoftheworld’spopulation. Agriculture as a primary economic activity is the major economic base of the world’s population. More than 60 percent of the world population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. This study was conducted in Dawuro Zone Essera district achieve the general objective that assessed the impacts of population growth on agricultural production and farming practices. Essera district is 102,848, of whom 51.35% are male and 48.64% are female. This district falls into three agro-ecological regions, of which, kolla within (500-1500masl), weina-dega within (1501-2500 masl) and Dega above (> 2500 masl). To conduct this study, the cross-sectional survey design with the application of both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed. The study involved a multistage sampling, i.e. a combination of purposive, stratified, and simple random sampling procedures to select the study area and sample households. To draw the samples, the households in the study area, Stratified random sampling technique was applied to collect information from respondents. Study area districts stratified into 3 stratums based on agro ecological zone, after this stratification in agro-ecological zone, kebeles that study has been undergone, selected purposively. That is kola whose elevation ranges from 1000m-1500m above sea level, woynadega whose elevation ranges from 1500m-2000m above sea level, and dega whose elevation ranges from 2000-3000m above sea level. Data that was made available through different instruments was analyzed using quantitative and qualitative techniques. Different tables, maps and figures were also used to illustrate the various aspects of the study. In the light of the theories considered and the finding of the study indicated, both the population pessimistic views of Malthusians and neo Malthusians and the optimistic views of Boserupian could not separately provides the complete explanations regarding the population and agricultural production relationship of this study. It was observed that, increase in population growth of the area associated with an increase in usage of modern inputs which increase in total crop outputs in general and yields for some crop types such as cereals in particular. Moreover, labor intensive land investment practices including tree planting; terracing, manuring croplands were increasingly under taking by peasants as result of rapid change in population size of the area. Farmers have to be advised to plant tree at area far away from land serving agricultural activities.

Evaluation of Water Delivery Performance of Nkhafi Irrigation Scheme in Dowa District, Malawi, Africa

This study evaluated the water delivery performance of Nkhafi irrigation scheme based on adequacy, water delivery efficiency, equity, dependability and irrigation efficiency. Primary data were collected from field measurements, scheduled interviews, group discussions and use of a structured questionnaire. CROPWAT 8.0 computer model was used to determine crop water requirements and irrigation requirements. The results revealed that adequacy, water delivery efficiency, equity, dependability and overall water delivery performance were (0.74; 0.82), (0.70; 0.80), (0.15; 0.20), (0.11; 0.21) and (0.80; 0.80) for 2017 and 2018 seasons respectively. The scheme overall irrigation efficiencies were 20% and 25% for 2017 and 2018 respectively. These findings revealed that scheme users failed to deliver adequate and dependable water in an effective manner in both growing seasons. This occurred due to insufficient water supply, poor irrigation scheduling, lack of adequate knowledge and skills in operating and rehabilitating hydraulic structures, siltation and water losses through seepage in canals. Therefore, it is recommended that major maintenance works need to be done along the whole canal network in order to achieve good overall water delivery performance. Furthermore, farmers need to be trained in water management, sustainable agricultural production practices, operation and maintenance of irrigation structures. The study has provided an insight on the status of the scheme hence encouraging scheme users to improve water delivery performance.

Beef quality assurance schemes: Can they improve farm economic performance?

AbstractBeef quality assurance initiatives have been developed to assure consumers of the quality and safety of supplied beef, as well as the environmental‐orientation of farm production practices. However, the potential economic benefits of quality schemes to European beef cattle farmers have been overlooked. This paper uses farm‐level data to identify the drivers of Irish farmers’ participation in Bord Bia's Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme (BLQAS) in 2012, and assesses the impact of participation on farm gross margins. After controlling for potential self‐selection bias, we cannot find reliable evidence that the gross margins of participants in beef quality assurance schemes have been affected by their decision to participate. Consequently, lack of financial incentives can be a barrier to farmer participation in beef quality assurance schemes [EconLit citations: L25, M21, Q12].

Policy Change Through Negotiated Agreements: The Case of Greening Swiss Agricultural Policy

Negotiated agreements are a promising pathway for policy change. This paper revisits and extends characteristics of negotiated agreements using the Advocacy Coalition Framework. We focus on two characteristics of negotiated agreements that previous literature has not explicitly addressed. First, we scrutinize the role of policy core and secondary policy beliefs in actor constellations. Secondly, we address partial success, that is, the notion that actors concede on some points, but in return succeed in others. We investigate these two characteristics in the 2014 reform of Swiss agricultural policy. Based on cluster and social network analysis, we exemplify how negotiated agreements embedded in a participatory policy process lead to a surprising level of policy change by promoting agricultural production practices with an intended positive effect on the environment. We show that rather than coalitions based on policy core beliefs, the formation of groups of actors based on secondary beliefs who span across the coalitions formed the basis for a negotiated agreement. Green and conservative groups were both able to achieve partial success. We conclude that insights from this exemplary case study should revive the concept and initialize a research agenda on negotiated agreements as a pathway for change in domestic policymaking.

Agricultural Data Science as a Potential Field and Promoting Agricultural Activities & Sustainable Agriculture

Agriculture is important for everyone due to its importance in our daily lives. Cultivation is valuable for all of us and required in the building of healthy agricultural systems development and in this context different technologies and also emerging Agricultural Informatics plays a leading role. In respect of developing modern agricultural systems,various methods are useful and enhancing. Apart from the core technologies various supporting technologies, also beneficial in modernizing agricultural production and systems practice. Among the technologies few important are genetic engineering, computing technology, nanoscience, Management Science, and so on. Information Technology and Agricultural Sciences result in the development of Agricultural Informatics with its various components. Recently various other components have developed viz. Data Analytics, AI & Robotics, Cloud Computing & Virtualization, Internet of Things, etc. And within these technologies, Big Data and Analytics is emerging and enhancing more on Agricultural Informatics since it holds the solution for managing data effectively with a large amount and also the complex data.

Методологія і модель еколого-економічного управління агротехнологіями

Abstract. The work is devoted to the problems of solving the double problem of agricultural engineering (according to the international definition): "Feed the world and save the planet" using the ability to manage the environmental, energy and economic components of agricultural technologies. It was confirmed that the management process sets the conditions: to plan (program), execute, evaluate and continuously act on the creation and improvement of creative agricultural technologies based on the laws of the historical development of the planet's nature (biosphere laws). Based on these principles, an abstract-logical model of the interconnection of the "environment-agricultural technologies" system, as well as the methodology for a systematic approach to climate-smart agricultural production practices, which will conserve natural resources, while increasing agricultural production, is proposed. Goal of Research. To Improve the model of the relationship between the environment, agricultural technologies and engineering solutions, as well as the methodology of environmental and economic management of agricultural technologies based on climate-smart agricultural practices, with the display of accurate regulation of all its constituent parts, processes and procedures. Research methods. Methods of planning (programming) agricultural technologies or products in accordance with ISO recommendations; agrometeorological parameters, including vegetation indices, achieved by mathematical processing of remote sensing data (RSD) and modeling these parameters, according to the European Union project MARS (MCYFS - MARS Crop Grow Forecasting System); crop growth modeling system CGMS were used. Research results. The developed model of the relationship "environment- agricultural technologies" and the methodology of ecological and economic management the agricultural technologies provides for the implementation of a hierarchical multi-circuit process of modern nature management on a geo-community basis, displaying the precise regulation of all components: forecasting systems; systems of environmental management and defragmentation of technical and technological solutions to the conditions of environmental and economic optimization. Conclusions. The ecological and economic problems at the present stage of development of society in the production of agricultural products are considered. Possible ways of their solution have been determined on the example of an abstract-logical model of the relationship between the environment, agricultural technologies and engineering solutions, as well as the methodology of ecological and economic management of agricultural technologies.

Principles and Practices of Making Agriculture Sustainable: Crop Yield prediction using Random Forest

Agriculture has advanced tremendously over the last 100 years. In fact it is been keeping up with food production at a very high rate. In fact, some scientists feel that agriculture already produces enough food to feed the world, but of course there are issues and problems with food availability, agricultural production practices, preservation and transportation, and probably more that one can think of that hinder many people in this world from getting adequate food. The basic challenge is to provide food for the needy people. This need can be fulfilled with the help of the farmers taking responsibility in increasing the food production by 50% by the year 2050. The objective of the present work is to increase this food production, protecting the environmentwith managing natural resources. Mainly focusing on water, nutrients and other inputs to produce foods without degrading the environment. The Goal is to develop the social, environmental, and the economic aspects of possible solutions to minimize the agricultural footprint, and become more sustainable. The dataset considered in our experiment is used in yield prediction based on historic yield and weather information. Implemented both the versions of Thomson model and compared the result with segmentation model, Random Forest (RF). Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) are used as evaluation metrics in estimating the performance of models implements and stated that Random forest algorithm is providing 0.07 (RMSE). The outcome of the present research work helps farmers in adopting best management practices and trying to give them the economical and technical support in making easier for them to adopt best management practices.

Reproduction of soil resources in the system of sustainable agricultural land use

The current state of use of soil resources in the agricultural sector of the country is analyzed. It is established that the soil cover, which is the basis of agricultural landscapes, is characterized by high agricultural potential, which allows depending on the climatic conditions of a particular region and genetic characteristics of crops to yield at 30-35 kg / ha of grain units and above. However, due to the significant exceeding of the limit of ecological stability of soils, as evidenced by the practice of agricultural production, various destructive processes are accelerating, which now almost completely covered the lands of the country under intensive cultivation. Particularly vulnerable in this context are the soil resources of Polissya due to the predominantly light particle size distribution and, accordingly, low ability to withstand the negative impact of external factors. It is proved that an effective measure to ensure the preservation and reproduction of soil resources is land management, which ensures the improvement of land relations, planning and organization of rational use and protection of land at all levels from national to economic. In particular, in the Polissya area, this role should be performed by working land management projects to protect lands from acidification, which determine the procedure for chemical reclamation of acid soils in relation to specific socio-economic and environmental conditions of land entities.

Global soil‐derived ammonia emissions from agricultural nitrogen fertilizer application: A refinement based on regional and crop‐specific emission factors

Ammonia (NH3 ) emissions from fertilized soils to the atmosphere and the subsequent deposition to land surface exert adverse effects on biogeochemical nitrogen (N) cycling. The region- and crop-specific emission factors (EFs) of N fertilizer for NH3 are poorly developed and therefore the global estimate of soil NH3 emissions from agricultural N fertilizer application is constrained. Here we quantified the region- and crop-specific NH3 EFs of N fertilizer by compiling data from 324 worldwide manipulative studies and focused to map the global soil NH3 emissions from agricultural N fertilizer application. Globally, the NH3 EFs averaged 12.56% and 14.12% for synthetic N fertilizer and manure, respectively. Regionally, south-eastern Asia had the highest NH3 EFs of synthetic N fertilizer (19.48%) and Europe had the lowest (6%), which might have been associated with the regional discrepancy in the form and rate of N fertilizer use and management practices in agricultural production. Global agricultural NH3 emissions from the use of synthetic N fertilizer and manure in 2014 were estimated to be 12.32 and 3.79TgN/year, respectively. China (4.20TgN/year) followed by India (2.37TgN/year) and America (1.05TgN/year) together contributed to over 60% of the total global agricultural NH3 emissions from the use of synthetic N fertilizer. For crop-specific emissions, the NH3 EFs averaged 11.13%-13.95% for the three main staple crops (i.e., maize, wheat, and rice), together accounting for 72% of synthetic N fertilizer-induced NH3 emissions from croplands in the world and 70% in China. The region- and crop-specific NH3 EFs of N fertilizer established in this study offer references to update the default EF in the IPCC Tier 1 guideline. This work also provides an insight into the spatial variation of soil-derived NH3 emissions from the use of synthetic N fertilizer in agriculture at the global and regional scales.