scholarly journals Age Structure of Farm Owners and Managers: Problems and the Solutions Thereto in Latvia

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (339) ◽  
pp. 15-26
Author(s):  
Aleksejs Nipers ◽  
Irina Pilvere
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Policy Instruments ◽  
Value Added ◽  
World Population ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Agricultural Industry ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Research Show

AbstractThe research paper presents the results of research on the situation and trends in the age structure of farm owners or managers in Latvia. The growing world population and the challenges caused by climate change make farmers reconsider their traditional farming practices. Therefore, scientists believe that the aging of farmers is a major obstacle to the sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas, as evidenced by the age structure of European Union (EU) farmers and other agricultural workers. Generation renewal is crucial for sustainable land management and food production. In 2018, according to statistical data, the share of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in total gross value added in Latvia was only 3.8%. However, these sectors were the main job creators and drivers of economic development in rural areas. Therefore, the aim of the present research is to assess trends in the age structure of farm managers and owners and the policy instruments applied in Latvia. The results of the research show that despite the policy instruments implemented in Latvia after its accession to the EU to support young farmers and promote early retirement of farm owners, the aging process of farm owners and managers occurs relatively fast. The median age of farm owners and managers in Latvia has increased from 53 years in 2009 to 57 years in 2019, which could hinder the development of the agricultural industry and prevent the new challenge of growing global food demand and the negative impacts of climate change from being tackled.

scholarly journals BOVISOL Project: Breeding and Management Practices of Indigenous Bovine Breeds: Solutions towards a Sustainable Future

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 9891
Author(s):  
Sofiane Boudalia ◽  
Samia Ben Said ◽  
Dimitrios Tsiokos ◽  
Aissam Bousbia ◽  
Yassine Gueroui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
National Level ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
World Population ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Slow Food ◽  
Sustainable Future ◽  
Mediterranean Countries

In order to deal with the effects of globalization, urbanization, increase in world population, global warming, and climate change; and according to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 targets, which aim to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, it is urgently needed to transform our agriculture and livestock farming systems by taking into account the environmental considerations. The Breeding and management practices of indigenous bovine breeds: Solutions towards a sustainable future (BOVISOL) project is a scientific cooperation between three Mediterranean countries (Greece, Tunisia and Algeria) supported and funded by the European Commission under the European Research Area Networks (ERA-NET) scheme of the 7th Framework Programme. This project has been formed around the hypothesis that the local bovine breeds must be preserved since they possess a valuable genetic pool, and they are a part of the landscape and the biodiversity of rural areas. Moreover, their products (milk, cheese, meat, etc.) could contribute significantly to the local economies as they could easily be associated with recent food trends like “local” and “slow food”, which are considered today, as, not only a mean of nutrition, but also a way of living and a part of people’s identity. BOVISOL project aims to: (i) identify the local breeds and populations in a national level, (ii) describe the existing farm and breeding practices, (iii) analyze the quality of the main local animal products, (iv) propose solutions that will promote the sustainability of the traditional farming systems, especially nowadays that climate change proposes new challenges on animal production, and (v) disseminate the solutions on all the levels of the sector (farmers, scientists, local communities, governmental agencies).

scholarly journals Biomass Torrefaction as a Key Driver for the Sustainable Development and Decarbonization of Energy Production

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonel J. R. Nunes ◽  
João C. O. Matias
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Change Process ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Resource Sustainability ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
Reduction Of Co2

Climate change is a reality that affects the daily lives of people around the world, with a set of effects that are systematically felt. If there is still discussion about the real cause behind these phenomena, with differing opinions defending the anthropic origin or the origin in terrestrial cycles of geological scale, it seems to be unanimously attributed to the increased concentration of greenhouse gases—particularly to CO2. That is, whatever the source of CO2, it is commonly accepted that this is the cause of the acceleration of the climate change process, and the occurrence of extreme climate phenomena. The use of energy from renewable sources, such as solar or wind, can contribute to the replacement of energy generated from fossil sources. However, these forms of energy are dependent on uncontrollable climatic factors and are, therefore, dependent on the existence of alternatives that, when in reserve, can be activated at any time as soon as the power grid requests their activation. Thus, biomass emerges as an alternative capable of providing this answer, although it also has numerous disadvantages. Torrefaction may be the technology that corrects these drawbacks and allows for the successful use of biomass in the replacement the coal used in power generation, contributing significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions. In addition to this possibility, it is necessary to introduce forest management models that effectively make use of all material flows generated during forestry operations, creating value-added chains, with a view toward a circular economy and resource sustainability.

scholarly journals Are there ecological problems that technology cannot solve? Water scarcity and dams, climate change and biofuels

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Darshan M.A. Karwat ◽  
W. Ethan Eagle ◽  
Margaret S. Wooldridge
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Political Ecology ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Development Paradigm ◽  
Research Show

This paper shows through a comparative case study that many contemporary engineers working on a technological response to climate change—biofuel production—continue to be guided by traditional ethical and historical principles of efficiency and growth in spite of the uniqueness of climate change as a problem unbounded globally in space and time.  The comparative case study reveals that in the past environmental issues like water scarcity were viewed as deficiencies of nature.  In contrast, the development of biofuels as an engineering response to climate change shows that environmental and ecological issues today are viewed as deficiencies of technologies.  Yet, just like large dams on rivers had (and continue to have) negative socioecological outcomes, political economy and political ecology research show biofuel development has socially unjust and ecologically degrading outcomes.  Many engineers continue to separate the “technical” from the “political” aspects of engineering work, resulting in lost opportunities to reshape the technological development paradigm.  While every technology has some negative impacts, engineers, as socioecological experimentalists, must account for these outcomes in their work to mitigate them.  Encouragingly, the engineers interviewed for this paper (along the authors of this paper, who are all engineers) believe that problems like climate change are too narrowly defined, and that the problem-solving capabilities of engineers would lead to more favorable outcomes if problems were more broadly defined to incorporate concerns of social justice and ecological holism, and if we are given legitimacy and agency in proposing alternative, radical, and paradigm-changing solutions to problems like climate change.  

scholarly journals Research on ecological restoration of rural landscape based on environmental value-added

2021 ◽  
Vol 257 ◽  
pp. 03014
Author(s):  
Ajun Wan ◽  
Xiaolei Qi ◽  
Runqiu Tu
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Urban Ecosystem ◽  
Rural Landscape ◽  
Shaanxi Province ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Value ◽  
Application Prospects

Reasonable planning of green space can effectively play the urban ecosystem service function and promote the sustainable development of rural areas. Taking LiuTian village in Shaanxi Province as an example, based on the analysis of rural landscape pattern, this paper explores the landscape comprehensive evaluation and planning ideas based on environmental value-added. The research results provide reference for the landscape construction and planning of the same type of villages in Guanzhong area of Shaanxi Province, and have good application prospects.

scholarly journals European agricultural policy requires a stronger performance framework to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murray W. Scown ◽  
Kimberly A. Nicholas
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Agricultural Policy ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Performance Framework ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Environmental Goals

Non-technical summary Agriculture provides many benefits to people, such as producing food and creating jobs in rural areas, but it can also have negative impacts on the environment. We analysed existing monitoring indicators for the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to evaluate whether the CAP is effectively achieving multiple social and environmental goals. We found that the current CAP monitoring system is unable to balance many potentially competing goals because its indicators are biased towards a few objectives. We suggest the European Union and its Member States adopt a broader set of indicators covering clear targets when the policy is reformed after 2020.

scholarly journals Experiences of Housing Adapted to Sea Level Rise and Applicability for Houses in the Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 3743
Author(s):  
Le-Minh Ngo ◽  
Le Thi Kieu ◽  
Hai-Yen Hoang ◽  
Hai-Binh Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Coastal Erosion ◽  
Ho Chi Minh City ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Rising Sea Level

As a coastal district located in the Southeast of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, Can Gio is characterized by low average terrains ranging up to only 1.5m above the sea level. Impacted by climate change and sea level rise in recent years, certain neighborhoods in the Can Gio District have been facing the loss of their residential and arable lands, as well as undesired relocations. Together with riverbank and coastal erosion, this phenomenon has several negative impacts on the lives of people in residential areas and on their economic activities. This research uses a literature review and observation as the main methods to explore the experiences of sea level rise adaptive housing and thereby suggests certain solutions for the Can Gio District. The solutions include saving space for water, elevating floors, constructing with floating floors, and creating biological ditches and osmotic lines to help quickly drain flooded water. These solutions aim to protect people’s lives and houses against the rising sea level and ensure the sustainable development of the neighborhoods.

scholarly journals Revitalisasi Sistem Penyuluhan Pertanian dalam Perspektif Membangun Industrialisasi Pertanian Perdesaan

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Kurnia Suci Indraningsih ◽  
Tri Pranadji ◽  
NFN Sunarsih
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Rural Economy ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Agricultural Industry ◽  
Rural Agriculture ◽  
Extension System ◽  
The Government

<p><strong>English</strong><br />Extension is an integral part of agricultural development in rural areas. Rural farming system is the basis of economic activity for improving rural community life. On the other hand, the existing agricultural system does not support the competitive rural economy.  Rural agriculture industrialization considers agricultural system as an integrated unity of agricultural industry business with high-value added outputs. This paper describes the factors as prerequisites for agricultural extension system revitalization. There are three prerequisites for the revitalization, namely: (i) extension institution and organization, (ii) extension implementation, and (ii) extension workers. In the Extension System Revitalization program implemented by the government is not aimed to support agricultural industry in rural areas. This program is focused on improving extension internal institution and not specifically aimed to enhance extension material disseminated to the farmers. Transformation towards rural agricultural industry is not achieved through the improvement of internal extension institution only, but also through innovation topics specifically designed for extension. It is necessary to improve agricultural extension institution aiming at establishing rural agriculture industry.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Indonesian</strong><br />Penyuluhan merupakan bagian yang tidak dapat dipisahkan dari keseluruhan pembangunan pertanian di perdesaan. Sistem pertanian perdesaan diposisikan sebagai basis kegiatan ekonomi untuk peningkatan kualitas kehidupan masyarakat perdesaan. Sistem pertanian yang sedang berjalan belum menjamin terbangunnya perekonomian perdesaan yang berdaya saing tinggi. Industrialisasi pertanian perdesaan, melihat sistem pertanian di perdesaan sebagai satu kesatuan utuh dari sistem yang mencerminkan usaha industri pertanian, dengan keluaran (output) berupa produk akhir yang bernilai tambah tinggi, diharapkan dapat memperbaiki kondisi tersebut.  Tulisan ini memaparkan faktor-faktor yang menjadi prasyarat agar revitalisasi sistem penyuluhan pertanian  mampu  membangun industrialisasi pertanian perdesaan.  Terdapat tiga prasyarat agar revitalisasi sistem penyuluhan pertanian  mampu  membangun industrialisasi pertanian perdesaan: (1) Kelembagaan dan organisasi penyuluhan, (2)  Penyelenggaraan penyuluhan, dan (3)  Ketenagaan penyuluh. Dalam program Revitalisasi Sistem Penyuluhan yang dilaksanakan penyuluhan pertanian pemerintah belum secara tegas diarahkan untuk mendukung industri pertanian di perdesaan. Program ini masih menekankan pada perbaikan kelembagaan internal penyuluhan, dan belum secara khusus difokuskan untuk memperbaiki materi penyuluhan untuk petani. Transformasi ke arah industri pertanian perdesaan tidak semata-mata dapat ditempuh hanya melalui perbaikan kelembagaan internal penyuluhan, melainkan juga materi  inovasi (teknologi dan kelembagaan) yang seharusnya dirancang secara khusus. Untuk itu perlu perbaikan kelembagaan penyuluhan pertanian yang berorientasi pada terwujudnya sistem industri pertanian di perdesaan.</p>

scholarly journals Migration under Climate Change in Southern Africa: A Nexus Planning Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4722
Author(s):  
Sylvester Mpandeli ◽  
Luxon Nhamo ◽  
Sithabile Hlahla ◽  
Dhesigen Naidoo ◽  
Stanley Liphadzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Regional Integration ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Trade Offs

Population increase is exacerbating resource insecurities due to increased demand for already depleted resources. Coupled with climate change, they are the main drivers of both intra- (rural-urban and urban-urban) and inter-migration (from one country to the other). We carried out a systematic review of literature, focusing on available options to ensure water and food security, as well as improve the socio-economic environment, highlighting the drivers of migration in southern Africa. The aim was to develop informed adaptation strategies and build resilience in the advent of accelerated migration. We developed a migration conceptual framework based on the nexus between water, food and socio-economic interlinkages. Urban areas in southern Africa are under immense pressure to accommodate climate refugees from resource stressed rural areas, a situation that is impacting on agricultural production. Most urban areas are exceeding their ecological thresholds to support the built environment, causing some socio-ecological challenges. Nexus planning can inform adaptation planning on permissible migration that are aligned with regional goals such as regional integration, poverty reduction and improved livelihoods. This would also contribute to the region’s achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, through the identification of synergies and trade-offs, nexus planning can inform regional adaptation strategies for positively managing migration leading to sustainable outcomes.

scholarly journals Life-Cycle Assessment of Crude Palm Oil Produced at Mill J, PT XYZ, Sumatera Island using Eco-indicator 99

2018 ◽  
Vol 159 ◽  
pp. 01028
Author(s):  
Pertiwi Andarani ◽  
Winardi Dwi Nugraha ◽  
Desinta Sawitri ◽  
Wiwik Budiawan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Production System ◽  
Crude Palm Oil ◽  
Agricultural Industry ◽  
Palm Oil Mill ◽  
Negative Impacts

The Crude Palm Oil industry has now become the largest agricultural industry in Indonesia. Nevertheless, the growth of CPO industry could also bring negative impacts on the environment if the company does not control their emissions and discharges properly. Life-cycle Assessment (LCA) is one of the tools that can assess the environmental impacts due to CPO production activities. This study aims to assess the potential environmental impacts arising from the CPO production system at Mill J, PT XYZ, Sumatera Island by using Eco-indicator 99. Based on this study, in 2015, the process in plantation and mill contributed to climate change category was 0.013 DALY or after normalized 202 Pt. Meanwhile, the land use category has 395 PDF*m2yr or 30.8 Pt. Meanwhile, all of the other categories were less than 30.8 Pt, hence, the highest impact of this CPO production system is climate change at the activities in industrial estate (fertilizers usage) and industry (emitted from waste water of palm oil mill).

R&D Investment and Agricultural Development-An Overview

2020 ◽  
pp. 536-539
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Agricultural Productivity ◽  
Policy Instruments ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Income Source ◽  
Daunting Task ◽  
The Government

The country has managed to fare well at the foodgrain production front with laudable growth but still ensuring food and nutritional security sustainably at an affordable rate to a teeming population is a major challenge. Ensuring sustainable food supply for this huge population is a daunting task and requires an emphasis on enhancing agricultural productivity. Though the solution seems simple it has its own share of setbacks viz., deteriorating natural resource base, declining total factor productivity, climate change, the spike in global prices, inadequate investment on agricultural R&D, etc. Public spending on agriculture is one of the key policy instruments of the government to promote growth and alleviate poverty in rural areas. Apart from various other spendings by the government on agriculture, the most integral investment is on Agricultural Research and Education which promotes various innovations and techniques that eventually enhance agricultural productivity. The country despite making huge progress in agricultural production still does not spend enough on agricultural research. The expenditure on agricultural research as a share of AgGDP fell slightly from 0.34 to 0.30 percent between 2000 and 2014. Increased R&D investments offer the possibilities to enhance the quantity and quality of agricultural outputs, control costs, increased income source, resilient to climate change, greater food security and better nutrition. The desired results of investment in R&D can only be achieved if concerted efforts are also made towards linking the farming community or ensuring the dissemination of these innovations at the grass-root level.

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