Suchergebnisse

Since the Republic of Serbia as a strategic objective defined membership in the EU, a process of harmonization with the current EU policies is inevitable. Agro-environmental measures are definitely an essential part of that process, and this paper compares agro-environmental state of the EU and Serbia. The situation of individual countries of the EU and Serbia at the level of implementation of ecological principles in agriculture is analyzed through the selected agro-environmental indicators which represents a level of development of regulative in environmental protection in agriculture. In this sense, the used methods are multivariate statistical analyses - factor and cluster analysis. The results of research clearly show that Serbia is lagging behind the EU in the implementation of agro-environmental measures, and in the coming period Serbia will have to make additional efforts to create measures and mechanisms for more effective implementation of the agro-environmental programs.

The UNISECO project aims to provide recommendations on how the sustainability of agro-ecological farming systems (AEFS) in Europe can be promoted. These recommendations build also upon scenario development and assessment of territorial effects of a large-scale implementation of agro-ecological farming innovations in the EU. This Deliverable describes in detail the scenarios and related storylines developed with stakeholders and first results from the biophysical modelling of the five scenarios using the BioBaM model, and the economic modelling. Five storylines were developed in a participatory process involving all project partners and project stakeholders. The main determinants of the storylines are their level of implementation of agro-ecological farming practises and the localisation of food system (i.e. level of trade within the EU and globally). The first storyline Business-as-usual, extends the dynamics and critical aspects of current agri-food systems into the future and highlights current policy barriers to the expansion of agro-ecology. The second storyline, Agro-ecology-for-export, depicts a future in which medium-large agricultural farms and large companies in the food processing and distribution sectors promote a weak agro-ecological approach as a marketing strategy. The third and fourth storylines describe a future in which food systems are localised but for different reasons. In both these storylines, local foods, regardless of production methods, are given priority over agro-ecological farming practises. In consequence, production practises remain similar to current ones or further intensify. Localisation-for-protectionism do this for reasons of rising nationalism and protectionism, and calls the centrality of the EU into question and promotes further re-nationalization of agricultural policies. The Localisation-for-sustainability on the other hand promotes local food system not for protectionist reasons, but in an ambition to increase food system sustainability and resilience by cutting food ...

It establishes a relationship between peasants and agro-ecology, as categories of rural sociology, trying to contribute to a construct, which unifies them: the agro-ecological peasant. This feat obliges to dialogue with both concepts and to observe two nodules, which are visualized as main ones: 1- nature and/or its components and 2- the relation between peasant-capitalism tension, nodules that the subjects and the contexts,
which connect and align them so that they may contribute to this construction.

Agro-ecological innovations aim at promoting sustainable agricultural practices that have long term benefits. However, farmers rarely adopt beneficial innovations in agro-ecology despite expressing an understanding of the benefits and a desire to do so. It has been argued that the farmers lack sufficient knowledge to implement complex innovations. We believe that in many cases such knowledge is necessary, but is ultimately insufficient for complex innovation adoption. We argue that in addition to knowledge and a desire to adopt an innovation, many farmers require a collaborative relation with an ally. We call this method the Alliance Approach to innovation. This approach is modeled after the therapeutic Alliance Approach at work in cognitive and behavioral sciences. We argue that using the Alliance Approach will not only prove effective in helping farmers adopt complex agro-ecology innovations, but also a better fit for the human centered development of capability approach human development, as it is likely to enhance both the well-being and agency of the farmers.

Soil degradation has both indirect and direct effects on the quality of surface and ground waters. In this sense, agriculture is one of the key activities causing water quality degradation in many parts of Mediterranean systems. In the European Union, the purpose of the Water Framework Directive (European Commission, 2000) is to establish a framework for the protection of inland surface, transitional, coastal and ground waters too. A major source of surface and ground water pollution is the diffuse contamination caused by nitrates in agricultural lands. This specific water protection was regulated by the Nitrates Directive (ND, 1991/676/EC), which in Spain was developed by a Royal Decree (261/1996/BOE), and in Andalusia region by a Decree (36/2008/BOJA) for the designation of water quality vulnerability zones (22 zones) and an Order of the Regional Government of Andalusia (18.11.2008/BOJA) to establish the action programs (1 unique program) to be implemented by farmers. However, the Nitrates Directive considers that different action programs may be established for different vulnerable zones or parts of those areas. Also, these action programs must take into account scientific and technical information that are available on each particular soil and climatic conditions, such as rainfall erosivity, length of the growing season, slope, soil infiltration and soil denitrification capacity. Within this context, the agro-ecological decision support system MicroLEIS DSS (technology developed by CSIC-IRNAS and transferred to Evenor-Tech, www.evenor-tech.com) is considered a very appropriate tool to include the soil and climatic attributes for a better identification of vulnerable zones and formulation of action programs. In this paper, the MicroLEIS DSS modelling infrastructure to predict soil erosion and contamination risks (ImpelERO and Pantanal models, basically) is discussed, as a scientific approach to identify detailed vulnerable areas, and formulate site-specific management plans for sustainable water use and protection in Andalusia region. The high variability of the results from this agro-ecological land evaluation research in Water Quality Vulnerability Zones demonstrates the importance of using soil information in decision-making regarding the formulation of site-specific soil use and management strategies. ; Peer Reviewed

The drastic vegetation loss of about 22% in 12 years across agro-ecological zones (AEZs) in Nigeria, which can be attributed to the impact of climate and anthropogenic activities on vegetation dynamics within the context of socio-economics, calls for concern. In this study, remotely sensed data from the European Space Agency Land Use/Land Cover dataset, TAMSAT rainfall data, and MODIS NDVI dataset were used to examine changes in vegetation dynamics and monitor vegetation health in the AEZs based on the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The study showed that vegetation cover has been decreasing tremendously at an alarming rate in most of the zones, while different drivers (change agents) have been responsible for the losses. The analysis shows that, between 2003 and 2018, the forestland cover gained 9,768.88 km2 and lost 40,891.6 km2, with a total net decrease of 31,122.73 km2. Contribution to the net change in forestland is usually converted to wetland, urban, cropland and grassland, across the varied ecosystem. The need for up to-date and accurate land-cover information is key to developing an appropriate mitigation strategy within the context of socio-economic sustainability across AEZs in Nigeria.

The overarching objective of Task 5.4 is to analyse market and policy incentives, with governance mechanisms, supporting Agro-ecological Farming Systems (AEFS), by delivering a multi-criteria assessment (MCA) of co-constructed innovative market and policy incentives (MPIs). To achieve that objective a mixed methods approach is used, where MCA and qualitative analysis complement each other by gathering information about different aspects of the MPIs and their implications for the governance and future policies. The research design is structured towards three more specific objectives, each being associated with a methodological step, as follows: Step 1. To investigate the MPIs that need to be improved to ensure proper functioning. This objective is achieved via a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) of selected MPIs, based on performance and relevance criteria (Effectiveness, Undesired effects, Targeting, Efficiency, Feasibility, Urgency and priority) selected via EU stakeholder consultation; Step 2. To identify changes in the design of the MPIs, owing to 8 categories (Income and market support, Agri-environment payments, Payments for investments, Knowledge promotion, Certification schemes, Food policies, Networking/cooperation, Other measures), to increase their performances. This objective is achieved via a qualitative analysis; Step 3. To explore how future policies can facilitate governance adjustments and opportunities for the correct implementation of the mix of MPIs. This objective is achieved via a qualitative analysis. Data for all methodological steps are collected at the case study (CS)-level via workshops and/or interviews from the same set of stakeholders, using guidelines prepared by CREA. Result interpretation creates a link with Deliverable 3.4 (Schwarz et al., 2021) by referring to the different transition stages observed in the case studies (Initiating and Enhancing) and to the barriers that the MPIs aim at removing. Performance and relevance rankings share the top three MPIs, i.e. Knowledge promotion, ...

In traditional food production practices evidenced in this investigation, which are carried out in the municipalities of Marinilla and Santuario, in the State of Antioquia (Colombia), exist important similarities regarding the agro-ecological dynamics since they have a clean, chemical-free origin. but nevertheless, according to its philosophical, sociopolitical, and agronomical principles, agro-ecology does not conceive the use of agrochemicals for production due to the damage they generate in people's health, the impact of soils, and the environment. Besides, it is presented as an alternative to the conventional forms of food production, which are typical of capitalism.

Presentation at the UNISECO H2020 Final Conference, 18-19 March 2021 https://uniseco-project.eu/final-conference UNISECO is a European research project aiming to develop innovative approaches to enhance the understanding of socio-economic and policy drivers and barriers for further development and implementation of agro-ecological practices in EU farming systems. Learn more about the project: https://uniseco-project.eu/ This project has received funding from the European Union's H2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 773901.

This research aims to analyze the model of entrepreneurial inclusive civic culture created and developed in the Zapopan Agro-Ecological Park (PAZ). Based on the need to rescue vacant urban land use with the participation of residents residing in the surrounding colonies, social movements, civil society, and local government, they have designed and implemented actions to create PAZ (PEACE). The Zapopan Agro-Ecological Park is an area of green innovation where in addition to the cultivation of vegetables, vegetables, medicinal plants, and decoration under relations of cooperation, trust and community support, the formation of social capital that sustains a culture of peace based on environmental sustainability activities. The results of the implementation of this project, born from bottom of the social and power structures, constitute a significant experience in the regeneration of public spaces and green areas that provides greater economic efficiency in terms of family income, a greater relevance of equity, inclusion and social justice and improvement of environmental sustainability. It is concluded that Zapopan Agro ecological Park is a model of entrepreneurial inclusive civil culture. This park marks a milestone in the regeneration of public spaces with a project of social and environmental relevance.

The global picture had dramatically changed the lifestyles of Nigerian citizens pushing them into various fast-eating cultures with more instant and tasty meals, and the attendant gradual relegation of our traditional rich eating cultures. Studies were carried in eight Local Government Areas of Nigeria from the four Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) namely: moist savanna (Oyo State), humid forest (Lagos State), mid-altitude (Abuja) and dry Savanna (Kaduna State). Stratified multistage sampling technique with structured questionnaires from 1641 respondents and focus group discussions (FGDs) were employed to identify the maize-based dishes consumed and determined the frequency of consumption. The demographic characteristics revealed that 54.8% of the respondents were male. Residents in the rural area were more (56.8%) and majority of the respondents were between the ages of 26-45 years (67.6%), while more Christians (57.88%) participated in the study than any other religion. Results showed that thirty–two maize-based dishes were identified, of which ten were frequently consumed. Ogi was the most popular maize-based dish (73.5%) consumed in the AEZs while corn pudding was the least consumed (28.5%). There were significant differences (p<0.05) in all the sensory attributes measured. The low consumption of majority of the maize-based dishes raises concern for the current campaign on mobilizing local biodiversity which has been reported to be one of the food based intervention strategies for solving nutrition problems among population groups.

National audience. Despite societal enthusiasm for agriculture that is more humane and nature-friendly, legal obstacles persist and hinder the development of practices towards agro-ecology. However, the latter concept was promoted by Law No 2014-1170 of 13 October 2014 as the combination of a threefold economic, social and environmental performance of agricultural holdings. The political objectives of the transition are now included in the texts, and there is still a lack of technical measures to liberalise new forms of agriculture. Four emblematic illustrations can be given of this normative resistance which, with the will, could be overcome. ; National audience En dépit d'un engouement sociétal pour une agriculture plus respectueuse des hommes et de la nature, des freins juridiques persistent et entravent l'évolution des pratiques vers l'agro-écologie. Cette dernière notion a pourtant été promue par la loi n° 2014-1170 du 13 octobre 2014 comme la combinaison d'une triple performance, économique, sociale et environnementale, des exploitations agricoles. Les objectifs politiques de la transition ont beau désormais figurer dans les textes, les mesures techniques qui permettraient la libération de nouvelles formes d'agriculture font toujours défaut. Quatre illustrations emblématiques peuvent être données de cette résistance normative qui, avec de la volonté, pourrait être vaincue.

Not Available ; Population of India is expected to touch more than 1500 million by 2030; and land under agriculture is decreasing at a rate 0.03 million (30,000 hectares) per year. Besides this intensive agriculture is putting immense pressure on land to produce more food accelerate the process of soil degradation. Overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and adverse effect on livestock population due to shrinking fodder production are other concerns. Ever increasing challenge of climate change and threats posed by extreme weather further compound the vulnerability of small holders' livelihoods and food security. Agroforestry has been recognised by more than 140 countries as one of the most effective tools to mitigate and to adopt the adverse effects of climate change; support restoration and arrest degradation of soil; ensure livelihood, food, nutrition, energy, fodder, and increased income for farmers; and to adapt to mitigate climate change. India has been on the forefront of agroforestry research and development. Implementation of a National Agroforestry Policy, a Sub-Mission on Agroforestry, and a National Bamboo Mission clearly demonstrate the commitment and the will of the Government of India to mainstream and implement agroforestry at large scale. ; Not Available

Index-based insurance (IBI) is a risk transfer tool that is widely used in low-incomes countries, especially catered to smallholder farmers. A good correlation between the selected index (in this case Normalized Difference Vegetation Index -NDVI-) and the crop losses of the insured area is a key requirement for well-performing system. Usually, IBI application area is defined by political boundaries, despite that variation in soil, topography, and climate is more important. In this work, agro-ecological variability effects will be studied in the IBI context. The case study was the rice crop failure in Babahoyo canton (Ecuador), using NDVI as the crop damage indicator. In a previous study, zones of similar soil, topographic and climatic characteristics (AHZs) were defined using principal component analysis in Babahoyo canton. Two largest AHZs were found in this canton. They were f7 and f15, which account for 91% of the total rice crop area in Babahoyo. We sampled reflectance values of red, blue, near infra-red (NIR) and medium infra-red (MIR) bands over bare soil (1st of January) by observation points, within f7 and f15. The reflectance band values were used to study whether the difference between the two AHZs could be appreciated through remote sensing. Then, we did the same but for NDVI average of the rice crop cycle, i.e., 15th of January to 15th of May (NDVI_ave). It was done for confirming that the AHZs (f7 and f15) have an influence over rice crop development. The used product was MODIS imagery (2001?2017). We stratified the sampling through the AHZs, applying 30% density for ensuring the accuracy of the selected pixels. Statistically significant differences between the f7 and f15 zones were found in all the analysed reflectance bands and in NDVI_ave. This found supported the differences that the agro-ecological map pointed out in its database. At the same time, the NDVI_ave distribution for each AHZ presented a statistically significant difference of the accumulated probability below the threshold (0.4), ...