sustainable agriculture Articles
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Editorial: agriculture in Turkey – structural change, sustainability and EU-compatibility
Rural Turkey is dominated by a large agricultural sector that still relies on extensive state support and policy intervention. There is a general agreement that structural change is needed to make its rural economy more innovative and competitive. Yet, as long as the main architects of Turkish agricultural reform are primarily concerned with mitigating the impact of trade liberalisation through ...
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Towards sustainable food and farming systems in industrialised countries
Economic systems at all levels rely for their success on the value of services flowing from the stock of total assets which comprise five types of capital: natural, social, human, physical and financial. Sustainable systems accumulate stocks of these five assets, so increasing the capital base over time. But unsustainable systems deplete or run down capital, spending assets as if they were income ...
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Common agricultural policy (CAP) and measures for environment protection and conservation: contrasts, balances and new methods of development for the future
In the European Union, the problem of the relationship between agriculture and environment has been dealt with following two policies: one aimed at defining a system of rules to limit the risk of environment pollution and decay; the other, mainly aimed at accompanying CAP's reform process. This evolution has concurred to strengthen the idea that agriculture as a means of ensuring environment ...
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Managing agricultural biotechnology for sustainable development: the case of semi-arid India
Managing agricultural biotechnology for sustainable development demands more than research and intellectual property rights policies. Economic and regulatory institutions conducive to application of intrinsically sustainable technologies are also required. From an interdisciplinary development research perspective, it is argued that sustainability of Indian agriculture and food crop production ...
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Family as an autonomous institution for local agricultural resources governance: discourse on organic agriculture development in the mountains of Nepal
This paper focuses on the institutional dynamics of family–led organic farms in the mountains of Nepal. It is based on continuous observations and experiences of local farmers who have dedicated themselves to organic agriculture for a significant period of time. It is found that family–led organic farming can contribute significantly to the sustainable use of local agricultural resources. The ...
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Why are some French farmers sludge-takers? Some agronomic and socioeconomic explanations
The continued spreading of household wastewater sludge on farmlands is a major economic and environmental issue. This practice is being challenged in France, mainly through pressure from the agrifood business. Here, by means of an agronomic analysis performed on 60 farms, we show the relevance of the following variables: proportion of arable land, technical performance of the farm, and quality ...
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Agricultural research policy framework for improved livelihoods security in crop-livestock production systems
Concerns for sustainable development and poverty alleviation are forcing public agricultural research systems to focus on improving livelihoods security. Crop-livestock production systems are central to the livelihood security of the rural poor in India and some other countries of the tropics. With increasing population, urbanisation and incomes, massive increases are foreseen in demands for ...
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Innovative farm policies and their impact in a French frontier zone: reviving old conflicts in Guadeloupe (FWI)?
Society now expects agriculture to fulfil new functions to improve quality of life. This requirement has been reinforced by recent crises. The 1999 French Agricultural Framework Law (LOA) formalised agricultural multifunctionality and included payments to farmers for new practices, which satisfy both social and environmental functions, in addition to economic ones. A voluntary territorial farm ...
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A decision tool for sustainable agricultural policies: the case of water saving scenarios for Apulia Region (Southern Italy)
The economy of Apulia Region largely depends on agriculture but the scarce water resources are the main factor threatening the sustainable production of this sector. This paper describes a geographical information system (GIS) based water balance tool that integrates maps of crops, climate and soil parameters with various scenarios of cropping pattern and farming practice changes. The aim is ...
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Ambitious green farming requirements can lead to higher environmental benefits, study shows
A new JRC study shows how the choices farmers make to adopt voluntary green practices are affected by how much they are already obliged to contribute to the environment. The behavioural science study finds that the more mandatory requirements placed on farmers, the less likely they are to make additional voluntary contributions. However, if the mandatory requirements are ambitious enough, the ...
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Factors influencing the conversion to organic farming in Norway
Determinants of the decision to convert to organic farming methods are examined by applying bivariate analyses and a multinomial logit model to a survey of 1018 Norwegian crop and dairy farmers. The results show that 4% of the conventional respondents plan to convert by 2009, which may imply that the national goal of 10% organically managed area will not be achieved. The analysis indicates that ...
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Earth Innovations: Everything You Need To Know About NRCS Programs for Growers
One of the most common ways for growers looking to increase their sustainability efforts is to access assistance, funding, and expertise through USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service. In this installment of Earth Innovations, we’re taking a look at what the NRCS offers growers and what to consider when deciding if an NRCS program is right for your farm. ...
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2020 Planting Prep: How Hydraulic Downforce Can Help
What conditions will you face during spring planting? With 2019’s extreme weather patterns, what comes next is anyone’s guess. That’s why it’s smart to prepare now. Planting into wet soil is completely different from planting into dry, compacted soil. Yet the fundamental challenge is the same—putting seeds in the right place, at the right time, and at the right ...
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A Living Map of the World`s Food Supply
Today, we’re excited to announce Indigo’s acquisition of TellusLabs, a satellite imaging and artificial intelligence company based out of Somerville, Massachusetts. This joining of their mission with ours has been over a year-and-a-half in the making, and is a product of our Indigo Research Partners’ engagement with innovative startups around the world. Here’s the story of ...
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Evaluation of policies in terms of the multifunctionality of agriculture and rural space: more integrative conceptual and analytical frameworks needed
A status-quo analysis of the way the question of the multifunctionality of agriculture and of rural space is dealt with in policy evaluation is given. Focus is on conceptual frameworks, tools and methods. The paper builds on a review of policy evaluation practice and experiences in six different EU member states and of a summative review for Central and Eastern European countries (CEE). It is ...
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10 messages for 2010 - agricultural ecosystems
Introduction: biodiversity, agriculture and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Europe"s agricultural sector has received sustained public support under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) over the last 50 years. This support has evolved alongside growing recognition and awareness of the strong links between agricultural production and biological diversity conservation. On one hand, it ...
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Agriculture`s Time has Come
Today, CNBC ranked Indigo as the most innovative company in the world on its 2019 Disruptor 50 list. This news is significant for our young organization but, more importantly, it is an achievement for the health and progress of our population and planet. In 2013, the list’s inaugural year, agriculture wasn’t even included as an industry to watch. Now, the industry is at the forefront ...
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