scholarly journals Farmers’ action space to adopt sustainable practices: a study of arable farming in Saxony

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malin Gütschow ◽  
Bartosz Bartkowski ◽  
María R. Felipe-Lucia
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Action Space ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
Barriers To Change ◽  
Resource Degradation ◽  
Arable Farming

AbstractThe urgency to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and natural resource degradation requires major changes in agricultural practices. Agricultural policy in Germany has so far failed to generate such changes; meanwhile, public demands for new regulations are met by widespread farmers’ protests. Against this background, an improved understanding of the factors influencing farmers’ uptake of sustainable agricultural practices is necessary. This study introduces the concept of action space to analyze the role of barriers to change which lie beyond farmers’ perceived immediate control. We apply this conceptual framework to the case of diversified crop rotations in Saxony (Germany) and combine semi-structured interviews and a survey to identify key barriers to change and their relative weights. We find that farmers feel rather strongly restricted in their action space to implement diversified crop rotations for sustainable agriculture. The most important barriers pertain to the market environment, which severely limits the feasibility of many crops. In addition, limited regulatory predictability as well as regulatory incoherence and limited flexibility restrict farmers in their action space. The role of resource availability within the farm businesses as well as availability and accessibility of knowledge is ambiguous between interview and survey results. The analysis of interactions indicates that multiple barriers form a self-reinforcing system in which farmers perceive to have little leeway to implement sustainable practices. These results emphasize the need to create an enabling market and regulatory environment in which sustainable practices pay off.

scholarly journals Dynamism of Landscape Transformation in Ibiono-Ibom, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-38
Author(s):  
Orimoogunje Oluwagbenga O. Isaac ◽  
Adeleke Benjamin Olufemi ◽  
Dada Emmanuel ◽  
Shote Adebola Adekunle ◽  
Eudoxie-Okafor Aniefiok Nene ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Landscape Transformation

Abstract Studies have shown that information on landscape transformation is an important benchmark data set because of its value as an environmental change indicator. Therefore, dynamism of landscape transformation over a 34-year period are analysed for a case study in Ibiono-Ibom, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. The study adopted a mixed method consisting of remote sensing and GIS-based analysis, and semi-structured interviews covering 400 households while factors contributing to landscape structures and changes are studied. The results point out three main driving factors responsible for the landscape transformation in the study area: agricultural practices which lead to intensification of forest resources, riparian vegetation, vegetated wetlands and non-vegetated wetlands; urbanization which modifies the structure and morphology of the landscape, and finally, population growth directly related to massive infrastructural development which encroached on all other land spaces. GIS-based analysis of remotely-sensed data showed that built-up area had increased by 7535.2 ha between 1986 and 2020; shrub and arable land by 1343.9 ha and light forest decreased by 4998.3 ha. While bare-land reduced by 1522.1 ha; vegetated wetland reduced by 1092 ha; water body coverage reduced by 168 ha and non-vegetated wetland size also reduced by 2029.4 ha. Analysis of household survey results revealed that the perceptions of respondents validate the observed patterns during the remotely-sensed data analysis phase of the research, with 54 % (n=400) of respondents reporting a decline in agricultural land use, and 19.3 % (n=400) observing a decline in forest areas in the study area. Furthermore, agricultural intensification, urban development, timber exploitation, firewood collection and increase in settlements were identified as the proximate drivers of these observed landscape transformation dynamics in the study area. The study concluded that the variation in landscape transformation of the study area are clear indication of the extent of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation in the study area.

scholarly journals Early Adopters’ Philosophies, Practices and Perspectives on Eco-Tourism and Eco-Certification: The Case of Ecotourism in Jamaica

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-136
Author(s):  
Natalya R. Brown ◽  
Anahit Armenakyan ◽  
Linda A. Piper
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Economic Sustainability ◽  
Cultural Environment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
Early Adopters

This paper examines business philosophies, sustainable practices, and attitudes towards eco-certification of pio-neering tourism operators engaged in ecotourism in the mature ‘sun and beach’ destination of Jamaica. We conducted a thematic analysis of the data collected from semi-structured interviews with managers and owners, and observations from on-site visits with establishments identified as ecotourism operators in Jamaica. We identified five distinct busi-ness philosophies that guided our participants' operations: presenting Jamaica in a holistic way, preserving the natural and cultural environment, community support, economic sustainability and incentivized preservation, and operational independence. The tourism operations in our study primarily engage in sustainable practices as a means of attaining operational independence. Meanwhile, participants held mixed attitudes towards eco-certification. There was signifi-cant overlap between our findings and the existing conceptual UNWTO framework for ecotourism. We found strong evidence for the role of education as the defining characteristic of ecotourism. Varying attitudes towards and awareness of sustainability and conservation of the country’s cultural and natural assets limit the amount of community consulta-tion in planning and development of these enterprises.

A systematic review on sustainable agricultural practices among oil palm farmers

2021 ◽  
pp. 003072702110218
Author(s):  
Azlan Abas ◽  
Ah Choy Er ◽  
Noordeyana Tambi ◽  
Nur Hafizah Yusoff
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Technology Implementation ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Agricultural Practice ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Oil palm farmers play an important role in ensuring oil palm cultivation can achieve sustainable agricultural practice. However, the best agricultural practices among oil palm farmers are yet to be known. This study aims to systematically review oil palm farmers’ sustainable practices. The present study integrated multiple research designs and the review was based on the published standard, namely ROSES (Reporting Standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses). This study used Web of Science (WoS) as the main database in searching for the required articles. Based on the thematic analysis, this review has 5 (five) main themes, the sustainable practices, namely 1) land management, 2) waste management, 3) advanced technology implementation, 4) economic empowerment, and 5) social inclusion. The findings offer some basics on how to integrate oil palm farmers’ practices with scientific findings for the formation of the oil palm certification and policy besides providing some ideas on the role of the oil palm farmer in the sustainable development 2030 agenda.

Tertiary English-majored Students’ Perceptions toward the Role of Pronunciation in English Language Learning and their Practicing Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-279
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
The University

Accurate pronunciation has a vital role in English language learning as it can help learners to avoid misunderstanding in communication. However, EFL learners in many contexts, especially at the University of Phan Thiet, still encounter many difficulties in pronouncing English correctly. Therefore, this study endeavors to explore English-majored students’ perceptions towards the role of pronunciation in English language learning and examine their pronunciation practicing strategies (PPS). It involved 155 English-majored students at the University of Phan Thiet who answered closed-ended questionnaires and 18 English-majored students who participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that students strongly believed in the important role of pronunciation in English language learning; however, they sometimes employed PPS for their pronunciation improvement. Furthermore, the results showed that participants tended to use naturalistic practicing strategies and formal practicing strategies with sounds, but they overlooked strategies such as asking for help and cooperating with peers. Such findings could contribute further to the understanding of how students perceive the role of pronunciation and their PPS use in the research’s context and other similar ones. Received 10th June 2019; Revised 12th March 2020; Accepted 12th April 2020

Knowledge creation in small building and construction firms

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Durst ◽  
Ingi Runar Edvardsson ◽  
Guido Bruns
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Knowledge Creation ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Knowledge Sources ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Small Building

Studies on knowledge creation are limited in general, and there is a particular shortage of research on the topic in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Given the importance of SMEs for the economy and the vital role of knowledge creation in innovation, this situation is unsatisfactory. Accordingly, the purpose of our study is to increase our understanding of how SMEs create new knowledge. Data are obtained through semi-structured interviews with ten managing directors of German SMEs operating in the building and construction industry. The findings demonstrate the influence of external knowledge sources on knowledge creation activities. Even though the managing directors take advantage of different external knowledge sources, they seem to put an emphasis on informed knowledge sources. The study´s findings advance the limited body of knowledge regarding knowledge creation in SMEs.

The efficiency of the crop rotations with short rotation with different levels of their saturation of cereals and crops in the conditions of Western Forest-Steppe

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (92) ◽  
pp. 62-68
Author(s):  
R. Holod ◽  
О. Bilinska ◽  
H. Shubala
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Water Regime ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Field Crop ◽  
Soil Water Regime ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
Arable Farming ◽  
Green Manure Crops

There were analyzed and disclosed the basic components of arable farming systems and their Meaning, the current state and scientific principles in the context of the further development of field crop cultivation in the conditions of Western Forest-Steppe. The purpose of research. To study an effect of alternation of crop in crop rotation in conditions of brief rotation on the soil water regime, productivity and economic efficiency. Methods. Field, laboratory, comparative and analytical. Results. The results of researches on study of productivity of four-field crop rotations with short rotation depending on their saturation by the grain and tilled cultures, of various use of mineral fertilizers, green manure crops and collateral products which were conducted during 2014-2015 in the stationary experiment of the scientific and technological department of plant growing and arable farming, of the TDSGDS of the IKSGP of NAAN are resulted In the article. The elements of the biologization of farming are the basis of our development of crop rotations with short rotation. The study of the effect of green manure crops and collateral products in four-field crop rotations with a different set of crops on the change of soil fertility and productivity of crop rotations as a whole was carried out to this purpose. According to the results of the research, is provided the information on the effectiveness of improving the field crop rotations with short rotation with varying degrees of saturation by grain and tilled crops, that ensure the production of environmentally friendly products, reducing the cost of grain, improving the quality of marketable products. The study of the effect of alternation of crop in crop rotation in conditions of brief rotation on the soil water regime, productivity and economic efficiency showed that an increase in crop rotation productivity is observed in short-rotation crop rotations, if they are saturated by grain crops up to 100%, cereals crops reduction to 50% in crop rotations contributes to a decrease in crop productivity. Conclusion. Thus, the results of the research showed that with the correct construction of short rotational crop rotations, such problems as rational use of nutrients and soil moisture, control of weeds and pests of agricultural crops, improvement of the physical and chemical properties of the soil, increased efficiency in the use of fertilizers and equipment, Cheapening of the received agricultural product may be solved.

Legislative tools in the Czech watershed management policy

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
J. Holas ◽  
M. Konvicková
Keyword(s):  
Watershed Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Running Water ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Law System ◽  
Water Quality Regulations

Potential environmental impacts as a result of large-scale farming system in the Czech Republic have created a great deal of concern in recent years. This concern has led to several studies to identify the role of new regulations, directives and other legislative issues in the field of water pollution control. The set of legislative tools related to watershed management policy to promote better agricultural practices is shortly reviewed. The paper emphasises the running water law system amendment with respect to European community water quality regulations.

scholarly journals Mediating Factor of Emotional Intelligence in Intercultural Competence and Work Productivity of Volunteers

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolita Vveinhardt ◽  
Rita Bendaraviciene ◽  
Ingrida Vinickyte
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Intercultural Education ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Mediating Factor ◽  
The Impact

Volunteering, the volunteer’s intercultural competence and emotional intelligence contribute to intercultural education and sustainability in various societies of today. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of emotional intelligence and intercultural competence on work productivity of volunteers. The first part of the article substantiates theoretical associations between emotional intelligence, intercultural competence and work productivity. Based on theoretical insights, empirical research methodology was prepared, which consisted of four categories divided into sub-categories that provided the structure of the question groups. The empirical research involved seven informants working in Lithuania, who welcomed volunteers from abroad. The research was conducted using the method of semi-structured interviews. The conclusions present a systematic perspective towards the role of emotional intelligence in the intercultural competence and work productivity of volunteers. In this context, emotional intelligence works as a mediating factor. The contributing role of volunteer-receiving organisations in the development of the volunteers’ emotional intelligence is also highlighted.

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