| 1. |
- Barrios Latorre, Alejandro, et al.
(författare)
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Perspectives on agroecological transition: the case of Guacheta municipality, Colombia
- 2023
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Ingår i: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2168-3565 .- 2168-3573. ; 47, s. 382-412
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Specialization of agriculture in the Colombian Andes has increased smallholder vulnerability to climate change and global price fluctuations and has also affected the socio-economic and environmental conditions. Promoting sustainable agriculture in the region requires a holistic understanding of complex agroecosystems. This study identifies and analyzes the main challenges for agriculture and possibilities for agroecological transition of small-scale farms in Guacheta, Colombia. Using the Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE), 10 elements of agroecology and core performance criteria were evaluated on seven farms. Several key actors were then interviewed, to triangulate data and understand current challenges and possible future pathways. It was found that drier climate and variations in rainfall patterns pose major challenges to current production systems. Limited possibilities for participation in land governance, lack of interest in agriculture among young people, and lack of access to markets hinder the development of sustainable agriculture. Current specialized practices in dairy and potato production are associated with reduced agricultural biodiversity and dependency on agrochemicals, leading to weak synergies and low profitability within agroecosystems. Implementation of agroecological principles and practices such as crop and income diversification and promoting joint action in agricultural development could help overcome sustainability issues in Guacheta.
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| 2. |
- Belfrage, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of farm size and on-farm landscape heterogeneity on biodiversity-case study of twelve farms in a swedish landscape
- 2015
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Ingår i: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2168-3565 .- 2168-3573. ; 39:2, s. 170-188
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this study in Sweden, six small (<50 ha) and six large farms (>135 ha) participated. The aims of the study were to a) measure differences between small and large farms regarding on-farm landscape heterogeneity, and b) evaluate relations between on-farm landscape heterogeneity and biodiversity, measured as numbers of breeding bird species, bird territories, butterflies, bumblebees, and herbaceous plant species. Sample area of the same size, placed on each farm, was used for the biodiversity assessments and on-farm landscape heterogeneity studies. On-farm landscape heterogeneity was classified with the Shannon-Wiener diversity index. Linear regression was applied to analyze relationships between on-farm landscape heterogeneity and biodiversity indicators. Multivariate regression was used to analyze relations between single bird species and specific on-farm habitats. Small farms had significantly higher on-farm landscape heterogeneity than large farms. Strong positive relations between on-farm landscape heterogeneity and number of breeding birds, butterflies, and herbaceous plant species were found. Total on-farm landscape heterogeneity seems to be more important for bird diversity than do specific landscape elements. The study indicates that, to increase biodiversity, farm size should be taken into consideration.
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| 3. |
- Carlsson, Georg
(författare)
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Legume Performance and Nitrogen Acquisition Strategies in a Tree-Based Agroecosystem
- 2014
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Ingår i: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2168-3565 .- 2168-3573. ; 38, s. 686-703
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Legume N-2 fixation is a critical plant-mediated nutrient pathway highly dependent on site and management conditions, yet little is known of annual crop N-2 fixation associated with established trees in tree-based intercropping systems. Our objective was to investigate the performance and N acquisition strategies of soybean in a tree-based intercropping system with four tree species (genera Juglans, Fraxinus, Acer, and Populus) at two distances from the tree row (1- and 4-m tree-crop interface) in comparison to monocropped soybean. Soil nitrification rates were inversely related to soybean nodule production at the 1-m tree-crop interface (r = -0.64; p = 0.0260). However, regardless of inhibited nodule production, soybeans at the 1-m tree-crop interface were fixing N at high rates as compared to monocropped soybeans, possibly stimulated by belowground interspecies competition; nitrogen derived from atmosphere (Ndfa) in soybeans was highest when intercropped with spruce (75% Ndfa) and poplar (65% Ndfa) at the 1- and 4-m tree-crop interface, respectively. We show a shift in crop N acquisition strategies, as modified by tree species and distance. We suggest that an often overlooked nutrient pathway, nitrate deposition via tree canopy wash, may be an unaccounted abiotic factor influencing nodule formation of associated legume crops.
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| 4. |
- Da, Chau Thi, et al.
(författare)
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Use of Wastewater from Striped Catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) Pond Culture for Integrated Rice-Fish-Vegetable Farming Systems in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
- 2015
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Ingår i: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2168-3565 .- 2168-3573. ; 39:5, s. 580-597
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article investigates the feasibility of reusing wastewater from striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) pond culture as nutrient input for integrated rice-Nile tilapia-green bean farming systems, and to what extent this could contribute to decreasing the environmental impacts on water quality from the striped catfish industry in the Mekong Delta. Four treatments in triplicates were used to investigate the growth of rice and green bean varieties under different combinations of inorganic fertilizer and water from the river and a striped catfish pond culture. The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was cultured at low density without feeding in a canal adjacent to the rice field. Rice yields ranged from 3,514 to 4,023 kg ha(-1) with no significant differences between treatments (p > 0.05). The yield of green bean ranged from 2,671 to 3,282 kg ha(-1) (p < 0.05), with the highest yields for beans only receiving water from the striped catfish pond. The water quality concentrations decreased significantly when passing through the rice plots for almost all treatments (p < 0.05). Total phosphorus and nitrogen levels in the outflowing water were reduced by almost 50% compared to the inflowing water from the striped catfish pond. Overall, the results indicated that an integrated system generates both economic and environmental benefits as compared to monocultures.
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| 5. |
- Drangert, Jan-Olof, 1944-, et al.
(författare)
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Generating Applicable Environmental Knowledge among Farmers : Experiences from Two Regions in Poland
- 2017
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Ingår i: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2168-3565 .- 2168-3573. ; 41:6, s. 671-690
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Raising environmental awareness among farmers is the key to successfully reaching environmental goals. The present study assessed the knowledge development process and the raising of environmental awareness among 30 farmers from Poland exposed to four approaches aimed to reduce phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) losses to water. The farmers were interviewed with open-ended questions on-farm both before and after the project intervention. As hoped, the farmers attempted to adjust their farm practices to the European Union regulations, which are in some cases supported by subsidies. As a complement, the project offered tools for system-thinking based on farm data and support from agricultural advisors: a) a survey of plant-available P, potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and soil pH, resulting in soil maps; b) assessment of nitrogen leaching risks from individual fields; c) compilation of a farm-gate balance. Farmers were positive to soil surveys and maps, but had limited understanding of the nutrient balance concept and calculations. They generally relied on their own experiences regarding fertilization rather than on calculated farm nutrient balances and leaching risks. Farmers’ understanding and willingness to adopt new approaches to improve nutrient efficiency and reduce negative environmental impacts are discussed.
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| 6. |
- Eksvärd, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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From change to transition? Learning from environmental protection activities in Sweden
- 2018
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Ingår i: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2168-3565 .- 2168-3573. ; 42, s. 189-209
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Swedish government accepts in principle that agriculture needs to move from being an activity that contributes to humankind's excess demand on the planet to become an activity that regenerates ecosystem services. The major tool for development of European agriculture is the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU implemented in the member rural development programs (RDP). Swedish farmers are dependent on the subsidies and payments of the RDP yet many are very critical of the program, especially those with animals and semi-natural pastures. A study based on semi-structured interviews with farmers in three districts in Sweden reveals the main reasons for their criticism to be: they feel trapped by regulations, powerless with respect to the controlling agency and lacking control of their finances. The study also identifies factors in the program that hinder the implementation of the sustainability goals of the CAP and RDP. The article recommends the adoption of guiding principles for facilitating transitions toward sustainable agriculture and emerging solutions to the challenges farmers experience.
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| 7. |
- Johansson, Emma, et al.
(författare)
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Participatory future visions of collaborative agroecological farmer-pastoralist systems in Tanzania
- 2023
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Ingår i: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2168-3565 .- 2168-3573. ; 47:4, s. 548-578
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Agroecology is increasingly promoted as a way to create just and sustainable farm- and food systems. Although there are multiple initiatives to scale up agroecology, current socio-political structures often hinder its potential to transform food systems. This study uses participatory approaches to create paintings that envision agroecological futures in the context of increased farmer-pastoralist collaborations in Tanzania, how they would function, and what political action is needed to support such futures. The visions are based on focus group discussions with agroecological farmers and pastoralists, and a multi-stakeholder workshop with farmer and pastoralist representatives, innovative food system actors, and researchers. We find that the envisioned transformation of the food system would lead to positive effects on farmers’ and pastoralists’ income, autonomy, long-term planning, and producers’ and consumers’ health. We conclude that new policies and financial support systems are needed to enable the expansion of agroecological farming and food systems, by increasing the availability of organic markets, supporting domestic botanicals production, and by creating more inclusive and just food value chains.
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| 8. |
- Lindberg, Jan Erik
(författare)
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Comparative chemical composition and rumen degradation of common reed and elephant grass in urban/peri-urban dairying systems in Uganda
- 2021
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Ingår i: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2168-3565 .- 2168-3573.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Urban/peri-urban dairying in East Africa used to be typified by elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schumach) as the primary forage. However, the ever-declining space for farming has made forage cultivation increasingly difficult. As a coping strategy, farmers are harvesting vegetation biomass from natural environment, particularly common reed (Phragmites australis, Cav.) from wetlands. This study aimed to compare elephant grass and common reed in terms of chemical composition and in situ rumen degradation. Samples were collected (in dry and wet seasons) and analyzed for chemical composition, and in situ rumen degradation of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) determined. Rumen degradation was determined by incubating triplicate nylon-bagged samples in rumens of three cannulated Ankole-Friesian crossbred steers. The CP content ranged from 10.8% to 16.2% DM (common reed), and 9.9-12.5% DM (elephant grass). Common reed showed lower DM, and ADF compositions, and higher effective rumen degradability of DM, CP, and NDF in both seasons. For both forages, CP content was higher during the dry season, while effective rumen degradability of DM, CP, and NDF were higher in the wet season. In summary, the chemical and rumen degradation results suggest that common reed may be nutritionally superior to elephant grass.
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| 9. |
- Marquardt, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
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Farmer perspectives on introducing perennial cereal in Swedish farming systems: A sustainability analysis of plant traits, farm management, and ecological implications
- 2016
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Ingår i: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2168-3565 .- 2168-3573. ; 40, s. 432-450
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Agriculture is currently dominated by annual crops. A shift from annual to perennial cereals has been suggested as a way to improve the sustainability of agriculture. Such a shift may have impacts at multiple levels, from the field, to the farm, and the landscape. With a focus on Swedish farm production systems, farmers' views on the potential risks and possibilities of cultivating perennial cereals are discussed in light of the available knowledge regarding plant traits and ecological implications of perennial systems. Farmer interviews showed that potential changes in agricultural sustainability, if perennial cereals were to be introduced, are highly complex, and context specific. Perennial cereals could be part of a transition toward a more sustainable agriculture depending on how they are used in the local farming system and in the larger landscape. Efforts to increase the use of perennial crops require linking specific plant traits of the perennial crop to the properties of the farming systems where these crops would be employed.
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| 10. |
- Nyberg, Ylva, et al.
(författare)
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Smallholders' awareness of adaptation and coping measures to deal with rainfall variability in Western Kenya
- 2020
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Ingår i: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2168-3565 .- 2168-3573. ; 44:10, s. 1280-1308
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Farmers in Kisumu and Trans Nzoia counties, Kenya, were aware of more adaptation than coping measures for dealing with rainfall variability both on and off-farm. Interviews with female and male farmer groups revealed that they all experienced challenges related to increasing rainfall variability whether or not they had regular access to advisory services. Men identified more measures than women and had better access to learning sources. Farmers in Kisumu were aware of more measures than those in Trans Nzoia but thought them less effective. Money, knowledge and labor were the most limiting factors preventing the uptake of adaptation measures.
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