| 1. |
- Bosona, Techane
(författare)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Organic Wheat Cracker Value Chains with and without Nettle Powder as a Natural Additive: A Case of Sweden
- 2024
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Ingår i: Sustainability. - 2071-1050. ; 16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Due to the growing global population and consequent increased demand for food, the global production of cereal crops has increased. Wheat is one of the most important food crops in the world, as its products, e.g., bread and crackers, have served as important sources of nutrition for many years. However, the environmental impacts of wheat-derived food products are not frequently explored. This study presents an environmental impact assessment of organic wheat crackers within the context of Swedish winter wheat production using both primary and literature-based data. A cradle-to-consumer gate life cycle analysis (LCA) approach using the functional unit (FU) of 1 kg of crackers was applied while considering two cracker value chains: (i) without additives and (ii) using nettle powder as a natural additive. Four environmental impact categories-cumulative energy demand (CED), climate change impact (GWP), acidification, and eutrophication-were explored, with a particular focus on CED and GWP. The analysis results indicated that the total CED values were about 13 MJ/FU and 14 MJ/FU for crackers without and with the additive, respectively. Similarly, the total GWP values were 379 g CO2 eq/FU and 464 g CO2 eq/FU, respectively. The post-harvest processing and handling stage was an environmental hot spot in both cases. The introduction of the nettle additive has increased the quantified values of all four of the investigated impact categories. These insights will enable food processors and policy makers to communicate the environmental impacts and make informed decisions to improve the sustainability of wheat crackers. This paper contributes to a database of the environmental impacts of wheat products, specifically LCA data of organic wheat crackers and the LCA method for further LCA studies of snacks and other wheat products with plant-based functional additives.
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| 2. |
- Bosona, Techane
(författare)
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Life Cycle Assessment of Dried Organic Apple Value Chains Considering Conventional and Heat-Pump-Assisted Drying Processes: The Case of Sweden
- 2024
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Ingår i: Agriculture. - 2077-0472. ; 14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The increasing population pressure and demand for quality food, and the significant burden of agriculture on the environment, impede the sustainable development of the food sector. Understanding the environmental performance of different agricultural technologies and food value chains and identifying improvement opportunities play important roles in the sustainable development of this sector. This article presents the results of an environmental impact assessment of organic dried apples produced and supplied in Sweden, which was conducted using primary and literature-based data. A "cradle-to-consumer gate" life cycle analysis (LCA) method with a functional unit (FU) of 1 ton of fresh organic apples at the farm stage was used while considering conventional drying and heat-pump (HP)-assisted apple-drying techniques. The main environmental impact categories investigated were cumulative energy demand (CED), climate change impact (GWP), acidification potential (AP), and eutrophication potential (EP). The results indicate that the total CED values were 7.29 GJ and 5.12 GJ per FU for the conventional drying and HP-assisted drying methods, respectively, i.e., a reduction of about 30%. Similarly, the GWP values were 130 kg CO2 eq and 120 kg CO2 eq per FU, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of improving energy use and process efficiency to increase the sustainability of dried organic apple value chains.
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| 3. |
- Bosona, Techane, et al.
(författare)
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Life-Cycle Assessment of the Use of Peach Pruning Residues for Electricity Generation
- 2020
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Ingår i: Energies. - : MDPI AG. - 1996-1073. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biomass residues from permanent crops might be an alternative fuel for energy generation in a local market with limited transport distances. Moreover, as activities related to CO2 reduction are of special attention in the European Union (EU), sustainable use of resources plays an important role in climate change mitigation. In this paper, a life-cycle assessment (LCA) of the integrated value chain from peach pruning residues for electricity generation is presented and compared with the common practice including the mulching process of the pruned biomass in an orchard. It was shown that biomass harvesting, chipping and its delivery to a power plant-the Pruning-to-Energy (PtE) scenario-is feasible from an environmental point of view. The total global warming potential (GWP) of this value chain was 200 kg CO2 eq.ha(-1) (or 27 kg CO2 eq.GJ(-1)). In turn, the mulching and leaving of the pruned biomass in an orchard-the pruning-to-soil (PtS) scenario-is characterized by a CO2 equivalent of 2360 kgha(-1). Other impact categories showed a lower environmental impact for the PtE scenario as well. When considering the Spanish electricity-mix instead of coal-based electricity, the PtS scenario score better in most impact categories, but the GWP for the PtE scenario remains lower.
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| 4. |
- Bosona, Techane, et al.
(författare)
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Logistics chain and cost assessment of pruning-to-energy value chains: application of life cycle cost analysis approach
- 2022
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Ingår i: Prunus - Recent Advances [Working Title]. - : IntechOpen.
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biomass from agricultural residue has significant potential as renewable energy resource. Therefore, cost-efficient processing and supply of agricultural residues are important to strategically plan and utilize this energy resource. This chapter describes the agricultural pruning to energy (PtE) value chains and presents the life cycle cost analysis (LCCA)-based cost assessment results, focusing on almond and peach tree pruning data obtained from Spain during 2015–2016. Along the main life cycle stages of PtE system, costs of harvesting, off-farm storage, transport, biomass loss, and management of biomass supply chain were considered. In terms of functional unit cost, the life cycle cost (LCC) was calculated to be about 126 €/t for almond PtE and 115 €/t for peach PtE value chain. In both cases, the harvesting stage was found to be cost at hot stage followed by the storage stage. The cost at harvesting stage was about 83% (of 126 €/t) and 82% (of 115 €/t) in the case of almond and peach cases, respectively. Similarly, the share of operational cost was about 74% and 76% for almond and peach cases, respectively. Therefore, more efforts should be made to improve the performance of logistics operations and management of such PtE initiatives.
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| 5. |
- Bosona, Techane, et al.
(författare)
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Multipurpose simulation model for pasture-based mobile Automated Milking and Marketing System, Part-I: Pasture, milk yield, and milk marketing characteristics
- 2021
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Ingår i: Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-1699 .- 1872-7107. ; 190
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It is essential to promote sustainable dairy farming which could lead to improved animal welfare, economic benefits, biodiversity and environmental benefits, milk quality, and customer satisfaction. In this regard, a mobile automated milking system (AMS) could contribute a lot. However, mobile AMS is a new innovative system which is not investigated well. Therefore, a simplified and integrated management approach should be introduced. The main objective of this study was to develop a multipurpose simulation model (DigiMilk model) specific to pasture-based mobile AMS. The model comprises five major subsystems: Pasture yield as dry matter (DM) and grazing characteristics; AMS Milking and milk yield characteristics; Milk handling and marketing; Resource consumption; and Economic assessment. This paper (Part-I) focuses on the first three components while the remaining two subsystems would be addressed in Part-II of this paper. DigiMilk model was built in MATLAB-Simulink environment. It was tested and evaluated using mainly secondary data and limited primary information acquired from a dairy farm in central Sweden. In this initial analysis, a continuous stocking system on pasture was assumed to be implemented from May 15 till September 15. Multiple sensitivity analyses were successfully conducted to get more insights. The results indicated that, considering maximum pasture growth rate of 77 kgDM day−1ha−1, the accumulated average pasture yield, over the grazing season, was estimated to be 6928 kgDM ha−1. For cows with average grazing rate of 16–18 kgDM day−1cow−1, the stocking rate of 3 cow ha−1 could lead to good performance of grazing management. When stocking rate and grazing rate of 3 cow ha−1 and 16 kgDM day−1cow−1 were considered respectively, the cumulative milk yield values (excluding amount consumed by calves) over the grazing season were estimated to be 2101 L cow−1 and 6303 L ha−1. Out of this 6303 L ha−1, 2952 L ha−1was estimated to be sold on-site, using milk vending machine (MVM), while 3351 L ha−1 was to be delivered to super market. The accuracy of results from the the simulation model could be improved with future work with more real data from actual demonstration of mobile AMS over the entire grazing season. In addition to its capacity to serve as an integrated decision making tool, DigiMilk model enables to have organized digital data that could be useful for future researches to evaluate the environmental and/or economic performances of pasture-based dairy systems with mobile AMS.
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| 6. |
- Bosona, Techane, et al.
(författare)
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The role of blockchain technology in promoting traceability systems in agri-food production and supply chains
- 2023
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Ingår i: Sensors. - 1424-8220 .- 1424-3210. ; 23
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Due to recurring food quality and safety issues, growing segments of consumers, especially in developed markets, and regulators in agri-food supply chains (AFSCs) require a fast and trustworthy system to retrieve necessary information on their food products. With the existing centralized traceability systems used in AFSCs, it is difficult to acquire full traceability information, and there are risks of information loss and data tampering. To address these challenges, research on the application of blockchain technology (BCT) for traceability systems in the agri-food sector is increasing, and startup companies have emerged in recent years. However, there have been only a limited number of reviews on the application of BCT in the agriculture sector, especially those that focus on the BCT-based traceability of agricultural goods. To bridge this knowledge gap, we reviewed 78 studies that integrated BCT into traceability systems in AFSCs and additional relevant papers, mapping out the main types of food traceability information. The findings indicated that the existing BCT-based traceability systems focus more on fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy, and milk. A BCT-based traceability system enables one to develop and implement a decentralized, immutable, transparent, and reliable system in which process automation facilitates the monitoring of real-time data and decision-making activities. We also mapped out the main traceability information, key information providers, and challenges and benefits of the BCT-based traceability systems in AFSCs. These helped to design, develop, and implement BCT-based traceability systems, which, in turn, will contribute to the transition to smart AFSC systems. This study comprehensively illustrated that implementing BCT-based traceability systems also has important, positive implications for improving AFSC management, e.g., reductions in food loss and food recall incidents and the achievement of the United Nations SDGs (1, 3, 5, 9, 12). This will contribute to existing knowledge and be useful for academicians, managers, and practitioners in AFSCs, as well as policymakers.
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| 7. |
- Bosona, Techane
(författare)
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Urban Freight Last Mile Logistics-Challenges and Opportunities to Improve Sustainability: A Literature Review
- 2020
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Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 12
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Last mile logistics (LML) is the least efficient and complex part of supply chain. The main objective of this study was to identify major challenges of urban freight LML and opportunities for intervention. For this, 42 peer-reviewed full papers published after 2010 and three additional references were used. The findings indicated that urban freight flow has a trend of steady growth. The main driving forces behind this steady growth are population growth, urbanization, densification, globalization, online and omni-channel (OC) retailing, and urban economic development. Using typology analysis, three main potential freight LML configurations were mapped and discussed. Freight LML configurations that involve light cargo vehicles and cargo bike-based delivery schemes could be more attractive freight LML models if the delivery failure is minimized. The LML challenges were categorized as technological, infrastructural, LML system and management, and logistic cost related challenges, and discussed broadly. Similarly, the potential opportunities were discussed from environmental, economic, and social sustainability aspects. Finally, this report has pinpointed future potential research agendas related to LML. The study could be a knowledge base useful for academicians and practitioners, logistics and technical service providers, policy makers, and customers.
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| 8. |
- Gebresenbet, Girma, et al.
(författare)
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A concept for application of integrated digital technologies to enhance future smart agricultural systems
- 2023
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Ingår i: Smart Agricultural Technology. - : Elsevier. - 2772-3755. ; 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Future agricultural systems should increase productivity and sustainability of food production and supply. For this, integrated and efficient capture, management, sharing, and use of agricultural and environmental data from multiple sources is essential. However, there are challenges to understand and efficiently use different types of agricultural and environmental data from multiple sources, which differ in format and time interval. In this regard, the role of emerging technologies is considered to be significant for integrated data gathering, analyses and efficient use. In this study, a concept was developed to facilitate the full integration of digital technologies to enhance future smart and sustainable agricultural systems. The concept has been developed based on the results of a literature review and diverse experiences and expertise which enabled the identification of stat-of-the-art smart technologies, challenges and knowledge gaps. The features of the proposed solution include: data collection methodologies using smart digital tools; platforms for data handling and sharing; application of Artificial Intelligent for data integration and analysis; edge and cloud computing; application of Blockchain, decision support system; and a governance and data security system. The study identified the potential positive implications i.e. the implementation of the concept could increase data value, farm productivity, effectiveness in monitoring of farm operations and decision making, and provide innovative farm business models. The concept could contribute to an overall increase in the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of the agricultural sector as well as digital transformation in agriculture and rural areas. This study also provided future research direction in relation to the proposed concept. The results will benefit researchers, practitioners, developers of smart tools, and policy makers supporting the transition to smarter and more sustainable agriculture systems.
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| 9. |
- Gebresenbet, Girma, et al.
(författare)
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Economic analysis of the collection and transportation of pruned branches from orchards for energy production
- 2020
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Ingår i: Drewno-Wood. - 1644-3985. ; 63
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This economic analysis contains a case study for a 100 ha apple orchard where a pruning-to-energy (PtE) strategy is employed. Technical aspects of pruned biomass harvesting in apple orchards are outlined, with emphasis on the efficient harvesting of pruning residues using a dedicated baling machine. Economic aspects are approached using economic performance metrics such as the net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR). It is found, for a 10-year project on the 100 ha orchard, that the NPV is (sic)5650, the IRR is 8.71% and the payback time is about 8.0 years. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the economic metrics are highly influenced by the quantity of prunings, orchard area, and the price of pruning residues at the final user. The distance from the orchard to the final user (6 km in the analysed case) and orchard labour costs are both less impactful. The analysis shows that pruned biomass harvesting is technologically feasible in apple orchards, while the obtained values of the economic metrics indicate the economic feasibility of such bioenergy solutions.
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