Investigating Farmer’s Perceptions of Adopting Alternative Farming Systems

2016 ◽  
pp. 33-45
Author(s):  
Sotirios Papadopoulos ◽  
Eleni Zafeiriou ◽  
Christos Karelakis ◽  
Theodoros Koutroumanidis
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Alternative Farming

Trade‐offs in the performance of alternative farming systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (S1) ◽  
pp. 97-105
Author(s):  
Navin Ramankutty ◽  
Vincent Ricciardi ◽  
Zia Mehrabi ◽  
Verena Seufert
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Alternative Farming

Comparison of alternative farming systems. III. Soil aggregate stability

1993 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.L. Jordahl ◽  
D.L. Karlen
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Animal Manure ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Water Stability ◽  
Alternative Farming ◽  
Alternative Practices

AbstractQuantitative studies are needed to separate the real and supposed benefits of alternative farming practices. Our objective was to learn how conventional and alternative practices on adjacent farms in central Iowa affected the water stability of soil aggregates. We collected samples of Clarion loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludoll) from adjacent 16 ha fields in fall 1990 and spring 1991. Aggregate stability was determined by wet-sieving and by measuring turbidity of soil-water suspensions. The combined effects of alternative practices resulted in greater water stability of soil aggregates, higher soil organic matter content, and lower bulk density compared with conventional practices. The components of the alternative system that were mainly responsible for these differences were: rotations that included oat and hay crops; ridge-tillage; and additions of 45 Mg/ha of a mixture of animal manure and municipal sludge during the first 3 years of each 5 year rotation. The more favorable soil physical conditions, shown by increased water stability of soil aggregates, presumably will improve soil water regimes and reduce long-term soil erosion losses from the alternatively managed fields.

Comparison of alternative farming systems. I. Infiltration techniques

1993 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.D. Logsdon ◽  
J.K. Radke ◽  
D.L. Karlen
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Double Ring ◽  
Infiltration Rates ◽  
Single Ring ◽  
Alternative Farming ◽  
Surface Soil Properties ◽  
Infiltration Techniques

AbstractQuantitative data are needed to understand how alternative farming practices affect surface infiltration of water and associated surface soil properties. We used a rainfall simulator, double ring infiltrometer, small single ring infiltrometers, and tension infiltrometers to measure water infiltration for Clarion loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludoll) and for Webster silty clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Haplaquoll) soils located on a conventionally-managed and an alternatively-managed farm in central Iowa. Steady-state measurements suggested that infiltration rates were somewhat higher for the alternative farming system. Bulk densities were sometimes lower, and volume of large pores was a little higher for the alternative farming system. Small single rings were more reproducible than rainfall simulators or double ring infiltrometers, and data trends were the same as for rainfall simulators.

Reply to van Donge

2002 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Ponte
Keyword(s):  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Agrarian Change ◽  
Economic Diversification ◽  
Uluguru Mountains ◽  
Alternative Farming ◽  
Economic Ties ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Good Access

Van Donge's comment on my reassessment of agrarian change on the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania, raises a number of issues that go beyond the specificities of the location under scrutiny. Before dealing with these, however, let me restate my argument, which van Donge has reconstructed only selectively. In my article (Ponte 2001a), I argued that rural households are not ‘trapped in decline’ on the Uluguru Mountains, as depicted in previous literature. Although agriculture is not going through an easy transition in the area, and some options are becoming more limited, others are being more skilfully utilised. On the Uluguru Mountains, land scarcity is the main feature of agriculture; deforestation and soil erosion are major problems; and inputs have become increasingly expensive. Under these circumstances, the main ways households can improve their quality of life – short of leaving the area altogether, and in addition to relying on remittances from outside – are to expand land cultivated in other locations, to experiment with alternative farming systems, and to increase non-farm incomes. I observed that Uluguru households were doing all of these in the mid-1990s, and that their income levels and housing characteristics had improved. This was intriguing and challenging to me, since farmers' adaptations to changing markets had not led to higher incomes in other areas that I had researched in Tanzania. Finally, I suggested that economic diversification can play an important role in improving rural livelihoods, but that this process is more likely to take place in locations with well-established economic ties and relatively good access to major markets.Van Donge has a variety of problems with my argument. These can be grouped around three main themes: (1) issues of methodology; (2) a perceived misunderstanding of his argument; and (3) the impact of liberalisation. Due to space limitations, in my reply to van Donge I deal with these larger themes. A more detailed response covering specific evidence and technicalities is available from this author and has been sent to van Donge.

Ecological impact of wheat and spelt production under industrial and alternative farming systems

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 242-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Bavec ◽  
Michael Narodoslawsky ◽  
Franc Bavec ◽  
Matjaž Turinek
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ecological Footprint ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Environmental Stability ◽  
Energy Prices ◽  
Alternative Farming ◽  
Political Security ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe Industrial Revolution and intensification of agriculture have, in some cases, led to economic activities that profoundly influenced the ecosystem to the point where environmental stability and geographic political security are jeopardized. The uncertainty about oil reserves, rising energy prices and the threat of harmful climate change effects has intensified the search for alternative farming systems that reduce negative environmental impact. This study reports the ecological impact of conventional (CON), integrated (INT), organic (ORG) and biodynamic (BD) farming systems calculated from data collected in a field trial at Maribor, Slovenia, and interpreted using the SPIonExcel tool. This tool is a member of the ecological footprint family and describes the area necessary to embed a human activity sustainably into the ecosphere. Three-year results show a markedly reduced ecological footprint of the ORG and BD systems in production of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Antonius’) and spelt (Triticum spelta L. ‘Ebners rotkorn’), mainly due to the absence of external production factors. When yields were also considered, the ORG and BD systems again had a reduced overall footprint per product unit and increased ecological efficiency of production. Thus, ORG and BD farming systems present viable alternatives for reducing the impact of agriculture on environmental degradation and climate change. Nevertheless, room for improvement exists in the area of machinery use in all systems studied and yield improvement in the ORG farming system.

The changing role of agriculture in Dutch society

2009 ◽  
Vol 147 (5) ◽  
pp. 511-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. G. MEERBURG ◽  
H. KOREVAAR ◽  
D. K. HAUBENHOFER ◽  
M. BLOM-ZANDSTRA ◽  
H. VAN KEULEN
Keyword(s):  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Past Century ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Dutch Society ◽  
The Past ◽  
Alternative Farming

SUMMARYDutch agriculture has undergone significant changes in the past century, similar to many countries in the European Union. Due to economies of scale and in order to remain economically profitable, it became necessary for farmers to increase farm size, efficiency and external inputs, while minimizing labour use per hectare. The latter has resulted in fewer people working in the agricultural sector. Consequently, Dutch society gradually lost its connection to agricultural production. This divergence resulted in a poor image for the agricultural sector, because of environmental pollution, homogenization of the landscape, outbreaks of contagious animal diseases and reduced animal welfare. Although the general attitude towards agriculture seems to have improved slightly in recent years, there is still a long way to go in regaining this trust.In order to keep the Dutch countryside viable, farmers are considered indispensable. However, their methods of production should match the demands of society in terms of sustainability. This applies both to farming systems that are used in a monofunctional way (production only) and to multifunctional farming systems. For researchers involved in development of these farming systems, this requires new capabilities; contrary to the situation in the past, citizens and stakeholder groups now demand involvement in the design of farming systems. In the current paper, it is suggested that, besides traditional mainstream agriculture, other alternative farming systems should be developed and implemented. Hence, Dutch agricultural research should remain focused on the cutting edge of economy and society. Despite all efforts, not all of these newly developed systems will acquire a position within the agricultural spectrum. However, some of the successful ones may prove extremely valuable.

scholarly journals Pertanian Organik sebagai Salah Satu Konsep Pertanian Berkelanjutan

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-132
Author(s):  
Yuriansyah Yuriansyah ◽  
Dulbari Dulbari ◽  
Hery Sutrisno ◽  
Arief Maksum
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Alternative Farming ◽  
Organic Farming System

Excessive use of inorganic chemicals results in adverse impacts on land and plants. In the midst of the community, there is anxiety about the high content of pesticide residues in agricultural products. There is a need to develop alternative farming systems that are able to produce quantities and quality of healthy products in a sustainable manner. One agricultural system that supports the concept is the organic farming system. The basic principles of organic farming are: (1) Keeping the ecosystem healthy, (2) Applying the principle of efficiency to the cultivation system, (3) Conducting production activities with the concept of sustainable agriculture, (4) Producing pesticide-free products, and (6) Maintaining environmental sustainability. Food Crop Production Study Program Lampung State Polytechnic makes Organic Agriculture as one of the leading competencies for its graduates. The establishment of the Organic Agriculture Business Unit on campus will increase student competencies, foster entrepreneurship, be a place for competency internships, and as an independent source of income.

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