Agricultural Transition Research Articles

‘Par mesure de prudence’. Flood prevention and river regulation in Demer-Dijle confluence area (NE Belgium), 1840s–1880s

Abstract This article analyses the views of experts and political discourse on river regulation, its objectives, and flood prevention in the rural Demer-Dijle catchment areas, the 1840s–1880s – a period marked by climatological extremes and agricultural transition. Via a close read of state archives and parliamentary discussions, we unravel different opinions and interests and find that not all flooding was unwanted. While the Ministry of Public Works, at first, aimed to better regulate water discharge and to improve watercourses for navigational purposes, it later prioritised agricultural interests. However, managing rivers coherently and efficiently was challenging because river powers were dispersed over ministerial departments, provinces, and municipalities that made coordinating upstream and downstream river works difficult. Floods often resulted in the drawing up of new plans, but their implementation often failed to materialise because the government had other worries and insufficient resources available while parliamentarians prioritised the interests of their constituencies.

Seeds of change: A bibliometric study on sustainable technologies and business strategies in agriculture

The transition to sustainable agricultural practices is critical in the face of escalating climate challenges. Despite significant advances, the integration of green technologies within agribusiness remains underexplored. This study undertakes a comprehensive bibliometric analysis, utilizing data from the Web of Science Core Collection (1990–2023), to elucidate the integration of green technologies within agribusiness strategies. The research highlights key trends, influential authors, prominent journals, and significant thematic clusters, including biogas, biochar, biotech remediation, sustainable agriculture transition, low-carbon agriculture, and green strategies. By employing R, Bibliometrix, and VOSviewer, the study provides a nuanced understanding of the research landscape, emphasizing the critical role of strategic planning, policy frameworks, technological innovation, and interdisciplinary approaches in promoting sustainable agricultural development. The findings underscore the growing scholarly interest in sustainable practices, driven by global initiatives such as the UN’s 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement. This study contributes to the literature by offering qualitative insights and policy implications, highlighting the necessity for a holistic integration of green technologies to enhance the environmental and economic viability of agribusinesses.

Complex factors combinations driving tea growers to adopt ecological agricultural practices in tea gardens

IntroductionThe implementation of ecological agriculture practices in Chinese tea gardens plays a vital role in mitigating N2O emissions and addressing environmental degradation. Nevertheless, a dearth of discourse exists regarding the intricacies surrounding farmers' adoption of tea garden ecological agriculture practices (TGEAP), particularly the complex interplay between adoption factors and outcomes.MethodsUsing data of 310 farmers, this study employed complexity theories and Stimulus-Organism-Response theories, and integrated Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis to explore the complex relationships between farmer characteristics, internal and external factors, and adoption of farmer.ResultsThe results show three influential paths in the Stimulus-Organism-Response model, and environmental protection attitude (EPA) and production expectation (PE) act as intermediaries. Notably, EPA exhibits a masking effect in one pathway. These paths linked closely to three farmer characteristics. Beyond the Stimulus-Organism-Response model, nine combinations lead to farmers' adoption, and four to non-adoption.DiscussionWe discover scenarios where opposing environmental states or age lead to adoption, explaining the masking effect. These combinations highlight how a favorable environment influences both adoption and non-adoption. We also discuss other combinations that lead to adoption or non-adoption. The study suggests that governments employ targeted incentives to facilitate tea farmers' transition in agriculture.

Environmental regulations or expected revenue: What plays a more important role in China's green transition of agriculture?

Environmental regulations or expected revenue: What plays a more important role in China's green transition of agriculture?

High prevalence of adult and nonadult scurvy in an early agricultural transition site from Mainland Southeast Asia was associated with decreased survivorship.

The osteological paradox recognizes that the presence of lesions is not always directly related with increased mortality. When combined with the clinical, historical, and epidemiological literature on scurvy, survivorship analysis, a form of statistical analysis to assess the relationship between the presence of diseases in the archeological record and survival, helps determine the overall burden of the disease both in terms of morbidity and mortality. This article explores the relationship between scurvy and survivorship in 26 adults from Man Bac, a Neolithic site from northern Vietnam together with prepublished evidence of scurvy in the nonadult population (n = 44). Diagnosis of scurvy included differential diagnosis combined with the Snoddy, A. M. E., Buckley, H. R., Elliott, G. E., Standen, V. G., Arriaza, B. T., & Halcrow, S. E. (2018). Macroscopic features of scurvy in human skeletal remains: A literature synthesis and diagnostic guide. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 167(4), 876-895. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23699 threshold criteria and the Brickley, M. B., & Morgan, B. (2023). Assessing diagnostic certainty for scurvy and rickets in human skeletal remains. American Journal of Biological Anthropology, 181, 637-645 diagnostic certainty approaches. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were produced to assess the relationship between the presence of probable scurvy and age-at-death. The prevalence of probable scurvy in adults (35%) was considerably lower than reported for the nonadults (80%). Almost all lesions observed in the adults were in a mixed stage of healing. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated no difference in survivorship between infants and children (<15 years) with or without probable scurvy, whereas a meaningful difference was observed for the adults and adolescents (15+ years). The findings demonstrate that scurvy considerably decreased survivorship to older age categories. The degree of lesion remodeling, however, indicates that scurvy was not necessarily the direct cause of death but contributed to an overall disease burden that was ultimately fatal.

Unpacking stakeholder perceptions on challenges for increasing adoption of solar-powered irrigation systems in India: A Q methodology study

Abstract Solar-powered irrigation systems (SPISs) are instruments for sustainable energy transition in agriculture. Despite the government of India's efforts, the adoption of SPIS has remained low. This paper uses the Q method to examine shared stakeholder views on the challenges of increasing SPIS adoption. The aim is to understand barriers to and drivers for SPIS adoption, and the necessary institutional setting to scale up adoption. To capture the discourse on challenges to SPIS adoption, a Q sample of 20 statements was extracted after stakeholder interviews and expert ratings. The statements were Q sorted by 22 respondents across SPIS stakeholder groups. Factor analysis identifies two distinct perspectives on constraints to expanding SPIS: (1) economic and financial barriers; and (2) institutional and governance challenges. This calls for re-framing SPIS from the incentive side of things and convergence across concerned implementing agencies.

Does green finance matter for agricultural carbon abatement? Fresh insight from China.

Green finance constitutes a fundamental financial institutional arrangement aimed at achieving the dual-carbon objective during China's agricultural transition toward low-carbon, which aligns with the pragmatic necessity for reducing agricultural carbon emissions. For this purpose, this study investigates the impact of green finance on agricultural carbon reduction and its underlying mechanism by analyzing panel data from 30 regions using a two-way fixed effects model. Results indicate that green finance significantly promotes agricultural carbon reduction. The promotion effect of green finance on agricultural carbon reduction demonstrates an uneven spatial distribution, declining from eastern to western to central regions. Notably, non-Yangtze River Economic Belt provinces exhibit more pronounced effects compared to the Yangtze River Economic Belt region. Industrial structure upgrading and green innovation serve as crucial pathways for green finance to augment agricultural carbon reduction. Our finding reveals policymakers should implement differentiated green finance implementation strategies to accelerate the restructuring of the agricultural industry and encourage the introduction and use of innovative low-carbon technologies.

Evaluation of Rice–Crayfish Field Fragmentation Based on Landscape Indices: A Case Study of Qianjiang City, China

Since the 21st century, rice–crayfish fields have been widely distributed in the Yangtze River Basin in China. However, the spontaneous construction of these fields by farmers has given rise to the issue of rice–crayfish field fragmentation (RCFF) in certain areas. This study introduced a novel method for evaluating RCFF using township-level administrative regions as the evaluation units. Three key evaluation elements, including five landscape indices, were employed: area and edge metrics (rice–crayfish area ratio), shape metrics (perimeter–area ratio distribution), and aggregation metrics (rice–crayfish patch density, percentage of like adjacencies, and rice–crayfish contagion index). The RCFF was quantified and its spatial distribution pattern was analyzed through the entropy method and GIS spatial analysis. Empirical studies conducted in Qianjiang city yielded insightful results: (1) The contribution of evaluation elements to the RCFF was ranked in descending order as follows: aggregation metrics &gt; shape metrics &gt; area and edge metrics. (2) The RCFF of Yunlianghu farm was the lowest at 0.06, while the RCFF of Yangshi subdistrict 2 was the highest at 0.94. The spatial distribution of the RCFF exhibited a distinct trend, showing a gradual decrease from the northeast to the southwest in Qianjiang, and a low-RCFF area in the southwest. This evaluation system enables local government decisionmakers to comprehend the current status of rice–crayfish field management and construction. It facilitates the scientific planning of rice–crayfish field layouts and provides guidance for farmers in their expansion strategies. This method can be promoted in counties (cities) where rice–crayfish fields are primarily distributed in the Yangtze River Basin, promoting the transition of traditional agriculture to environmentally friendly agriculture in China.

Towards Sustainable Development: The Impact of Agricultural Productive Services on China’s Low-Carbon Agricultural Transformation

In the context of carbon neutrality, the low-carbon transition in agriculture is crucial to achieving carbon mitigation through clean production. The provision of agricultural productive services (APS) is pivotal for modernizing farming practices in China. However, the impact of this on the low-carbon transformation has received limited attention. This research examined the non-linear relationship between agricultural productive services and low-carbon development, including verifying a threshold effect with APS as the threshold variable, employing panel data for 31 provinces in China from 2010 to 2021. The results of the study suggested that the effect of services associated with agricultural productivity on the transition of the agricultural sector to low-carbon practices varied across threshold ranges. Specifically, when the APS exceeded the threshold of 2.4396, a significant suppressive effect was observed on carbon emission intensity. Further analysis revealed that APS indirectly influenced the farmland scale and agricultural technological advancements, thereby promoting the low-carbon transition of China’s agriculture. Based on these results, it is recommended to intensify the development of APS in key cereal-producing regions, while emphasizing the harmonious progress of these services in conjunction with large-scale farmland management.

Dari Petani Subsisten Ke Ekonomi Pasar

Independent oil palm plantations in the region are extensive compared to other local crop production. Oil palm has become an important plantation product for local communities. Oil palm plantations significantly change the socio-economic and environmental conditions of local communities. Oil palm plantations in the sub-district contribute significantly more to plantation production than other small-scale crops. The purpose of this study was to investigate and analyze the transition of small-scale agriculture to a market economy and to determine the factors driving this change. This research was conducted in Parindu sub-district, considering that oil palm plantations account for 61.33% of the area. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method. Sampling was done using target sampling. Data collection techniques were conducted through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The triangulation technique was used to check the validity of the data. The data analysis method used the Miles and Hubermen analysis model (data reduction, presentation, and review). The informants in this study were independent oil palm farmers. The research found that before the introduction of market-oriented commercial farming systems, the Parindu community practiced subsistence farming, shifting cultivation and rubber plantations, and the results were sufficient to meet the needs of their families. They did not cultivate rubber as their main job, but as a side job in between their work as farmers. The desire to fulfill family needs became a strong foundation for the transformation of the agricultural economy from subsistence farming to the field of product marketing through the market economy. This change affected farmers' lifestyles, which were reflected in their possessions and assets. Property and wealth clearly increase honor and dignity as well as social status.

State Antiquity and Early Agricultural Transition as Deep Roots of Economic Development in Africa

State Antiquity and Early Agricultural Transition as Deep Roots of Economic Development in Africa

A comparative study of Dutch and Chinese policy visions for agricultural transitions by applying the transition management model

ABSTRACT Government policies play a crucial role in guiding sustainability transitions by providing directionality and pathways. However, their effectiveness in steering transformative changes remains uncertain in various settings. In this study, a comparative analysis of transition policies in two distinct sociopolitical contexts – the Netherlands and China – is conducted by focusing on their respective policy visions for agricultural transitions, namely, Dutch Circular Agriculture (DCA) and Chinese Agricultural Green Development (CAGD). The transition management (TM) model is used as a benchmark to examine transition policies and to explain the nuanced dynamics of transition governance in the two contexts. Qualitative coding frameworks are developed to facilitate policy analysis. The findings show major deviations in the governance activities of DCA and CAGD from the TM model’s prescriptions. In both contexts, governance activities reproduce the dominant approaches to decision-making and resource organization – the Polder Model in the Netherlands and the Project System in China; however, these approaches are unfavorable for sustainability transitions. This study shows that reassessing path dependence inherent in established governance approaches, which tend to perpetuate incumbent practices, is pertinent for the success of transition policies. The theoretical and policy implications of applying the TM model to transition policy studies are discussed.

Deciphering Land Use Transitions in Rural China: A Functional Perspective

Although research on land use transitions has gradually received widespread attention since its introduction to China at the beginning of the new millennium, the lack of a clear portrayal of the transitional characteristics and pathways of land use at the theoretical level has prevented this research from providing adequate support for the regulation and management of rural land use activities. This study aims to bridge this research gap from a functional perspective, since the transition of land system functions—also known as land use functions—heralds the completion of a regional land use transition. The methods employed included a literature review and theoretical analysis. The results show the following: (1) the relationships between land use morphology, land use multifunctionality, and land use functions transition (LUFT) were identified; (2) the connotation of the multifunctional agriculture transition theory was analyzed, and the applicability and limitations of drawing on the theory for researching the transition of land use functions in rural China elucidated; (3) a method for characterizing LUFT is proposed from the “state” and “quality”; (4) a theoretical framework for the LUFT was constructed and anchored in transition theory; and (5) it was summarized that there are three transitional pathways: weak-strong, strong-weak, and dynamic balance. In conclusion, while theories originating from the West can provide references for Chinese research, the significant difference between their socio-economic backgrounds necessitates reconstructing these theories in the light of the actual situation in rural China. The theoretical construction of land use transitions from a functional perspective can more clearly delineate the process, the trend, and the characteristics of the transitions of rural land use, thus offering valuable insights for the regulation and management of land use.

Organic Fertilizers and Bio-Waste for Sustainable Soil Management to Support Crops and Control Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Mediterranean Agroecosystems: A Review

Agriculture is facing several challenges related to its sustainability. In this regard, the need to reduce its environmental impact related to the use of synthetic inputs and its potential role in mitigating global warming and climate change call for a review of crop management. In this context, and in the framework of achieving sustainable development goals, the use of organic fertilizers and bio-waste represents a valuable contribution to the agricultural transition towards a bioeconomy model by reducing the negative impacts of waste disposal. Farmyard manure, composts, digestate from agrifood processes, and biochar are, among organic fertilizers, commonly used to manage soils and support crop growth. These fertilizers can provide essential nutrients, improve structure, and enhance microbial activity, thus increasing soil fertility and agriculture sustainability. While organic fertilizers offer the benefits of soil fertility and plant nutrition, their impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is complex and varies depending on factors such as fertilizer type, soil conditions, and management practices. Although organic fertilizers may initially increase GHG emissions, they often lead to carbon sequestration in soils highlighting a negative C balance. Additionally, organic fertilizers promote a reduction in fossil fuel consumption used for synthetic fertilizer production, further contributing to GHG emissions’ reduction. Therefore, while organic fertilizers pose challenges in managing GHG emissions, their various benefits warrant careful consideration and strategic implementation in agricultural systems.

Detection of the Agricultural Demographic Transition in China

The signal of the Agricultural Demographic Transition (ADT) has been detected in northern China (3912 sites/Loess plateau layers: millet domestication) and in eastern China (396 sites/Yangtze River plain layers: domestication of rice) from cemetery data (N = 29) and the density of archaeological sites during the Neolithic agricultural transition. From 800 to 1300 years after the adoption of the agricultural system, the proportion of immature skeletons from the hunter-gatherer-fisher economy increases from 0.08–0.14 to 0.2. The site densities also change abruptly and correlatively. The observed demographic momentum of the ADT signal is more likely to indicate geographic zones of secondary expansion of the agricultural system than original areas of agricultural invention.

Strengthening the role of local agri-food systems in overcoming the consequences of using food as a weapon in Ukraine

One of the vulnerabilities of Ukraine, which was highlighted by the use of food as a weapon in the Russian war against it, was its excessive raw material export orientation and weak internal rooting of the agri-food system, as well as the insufficient resilience of its local links. The purpose of this study was to substantiate the potential for strengthening local agri-food systems through the fuller involvement of small-scale agricultural producers with a focus on meeting the food needs of all segments of the population. The study employed the following methods: system analysis, grouping and classification, statistical analysis, formalisation, abstract and logical. The study covered the manifestations of Russia’s use of food to achieve political and military goals in Ukraine, as well as the role of small agricultural producers in mitigating their adverse consequences. It was found that the key to strengthening the sustainability of the agri-food system at both the local and national levels is to provide farm enterprises and household farms with diversified access to domestic markets by stimulating demand for their agricultural products. The study substantiated the forms of implementation of this task through the introduction of programmes of linked food subsidies for vulnerable groups of the population, public procurement from small producers for school meals, and promotion of solidarity food security at the community level. The study assessed the need for resources for these programmes and the potential of small farms to produce the necessary products, showing that the introduction of these programmes will facilitate the transition of agriculture to agroecology. The study also covered the possibility of financing measures to overcome the consequences of the use of food as a weapon while supporting small producers through the use of the National Bank’s targeted issue with partial involvement of budgetary funds within the framework of strengthening the national rootedness of the agri-food system, as well as donor support.The practical significance of the findings of this study lies in the possibility of their use in the implementation of food support measures for vulnerable groups and the preparation of a lawsuit to the International Criminal Court regarding the weaponisation of food by the Russian Federation in the war against Ukraine.

The need for ground-up transitions: exploring the knowledge politics of agroecology in Gujarat, India

ABSTRACT Despite a plethora of emerging alternatives under the broad rubric of agroecology, sustainable transitions in Indian agriculture are caught between institutional inertia and lock-ins of its vast agricultural establishment on the one hand and a pro-active state promoting a natural farming. This push for Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), while welcome as an alternative, also raises several questions on the nature of knowledge production and dissemination. This paper explores the knowledge politics around top-down “skilling regimes” and the principles and paradigms that emphasize social learning. We explore the multiple practices, meanings of agroecology among farmers, government agencies, and civil society organizations in the state of Gujarat. The action research included a survey of practices of 250 farmers in 12 districts, interviews, and stakeholder workshops. Insufficient investments in community-based extension mechanisms and lack of collaboration between state and civil society were features of the policy implementation. The absence of innovative platforms to facilitate knowledge dialogs and learning among actors to advance agroecology increases the gap between policy goals and its actual realization in practice. Programs for upscaling agroecology, we suggest, need to embed the diversity of technical and institutional processes through creating learning alliances to facilitate knowledge dialogs across dissimilar actors.

Intention to Transition: Natural Rubber Smallholders Navigating the Risks of Farming

This study delves into the decision-making dynamics of Indonesian rubber farmers amidst a significant agricultural transition from traditional rubber farming to diverse agricultural practices. Anchored in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), this research elucidates the multifaceted interplay of the psychological, social, and environmental factors influencing these transitions. Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze data from structured interviews and questionnaires, this study presents a nuanced understanding of how a higher awareness of the risks associated with rubber farming negatively impacts farmers’ attitudes, adherence to social norms, and perceived behavioral control. The findings reveal that while heightened risk understanding and threat appraisal motivate a shift towards alternative agricultural practices, factors like community norms and perceived behavioral control significantly deter this transition. This research contributes a novel integration of the TPB and PMT in the context of agricultural decision making, offering pivotal insights for stakeholders and policymakers aiming to foster sustainable agricultural practices and navigate the complex socio-economic landscape of Indonesia’s agricultural sector.

Agroforestry in the UK: exploring consumer knowledge and interest

PurposeThis paper's purpose is to explore the current interest and knowledge that UK consumers hold around agroforestry. Despite the many reported benefits of agroforestry systems, uptake in the UK, as well as other temperate nations, has been low. As the consumer has a role to play in the transition of agriculture to methods that are more environmentally friendly it is vital to have an understanding of their perceptions. Yet to date no work has looked at agroforestry from the perspective of the UK consumer.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted using a convenience sample accessed by floating a link through social media and messaging apps. The survey was also shared to the members of a private Facebook group associated with an organic vegetable box service. A mix of multiple choice and open text boxes were used. The survey received 139 responses.FindingsNon-parametric tests indicate that this sample of UK consumers would be mostly likely to buy, and willing to pay more for, agroforestry produce; and the sample showed a split group regarding familiarity. Inductive thematic analysis of the qualitative data highlighted some important barriers to the purchase as well as capturing a snapshot of this sample's perceptions.Originality/valueThis paper presents, to the authors knowledge, the first set of data regarding a sample of UK consumers' perspective of agroforestry produce. The findings could bolster producers' confidence in adopting agroforestry practices, but also highlight the need for policymakers to bolster consumer support through parallel means.

Identifying the Changes in Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being under Agricultural Transformation Contexts in Peri-Urban Areas: A Case Study of the Xi’an Metropolitan Zone, China

Agricultural transition and specialization in PUAs have reshaped the ecological landscape, economic structure, and rural cultural values worldwide. There is a gap in how to analyze the linkages of ecosystem services (ES) and human well-being (HWB) and how to clearly identify the differences on the dimension (primary concerns) of HWB from a comprehensive perspective. Thus, we selected three typical agricultural transformation modes in the Xi’an metropolitan zone in China, employing social surveys, field mapping, ecosystem service assessment methods, and qualitative analysis methods, and proposed an analytical framework from a comprehensive perspective of “ecological-social-cultural” contexts to examine the changes and mechanism between ES and HWB. The results indicated the following: (1) Agricultural transition has driven the changes not only in ecological landscape, agricultural structure planting and practice modes, and rural economic structure, but also the shift in rural social relationships and cultural values together restructured rural society during agricultural specialization. (2) Due to triggering by the agricultural transition and specialization, great changes occurred in “ecological-social-cultural” contexts in PUAs, the changes of HWB not only reflected in its degree (level), but more importantly, in its dimension (primary concerns). (3) With agricultural transition and specialization, the total value of ES increased, while the HWB rose in three transition modes. (4) The analytical frameworks proposed in the study are suitable to analyze the mechanisms of ES and HWB, and helpful to address the issues on the relation of ES to HWB inevitably being combined with the nature–land system. The approach proposed in the study on distinguishing the differences among the dimensions of well-being based on grounded theory could clearly identify the differences among different “ecological- social-cultural” contexts.