Individuazione di tecniche di gestione idrica-agronomica e di ricarica dell’acquifero freatico costiero per limitare la salinizzazione delle acque sotterranee e dei suoli.

Nel Comune di Ravenna, oltre 6.800 ettari di terreni agricoli sono a rischio salinizzazione, a causa dell’alta salinità delle acque sotterranee presenti all’interno dell’acquifero freatico costiero. L'area è interessata da subsidenza naturale, per compattazione dei sedimenti alluvionali e antropica, causata dall’estrazione di gas e dall’eccessivo sfruttamento delle acque sotterranee. Ne deriva che la maggior parte di questo territorio è sotto il livello medio del mare e l'agricoltura, così come ogni altra attività umana, è possibile grazie ad una fitta rete di canali di drenaggio che garantiscono il franco di coltivazione. L’agricoltura è una risorsa importante per la zona, ma a causa della scarsa disponibilità di acque dolci e per l’aumento dei processi di salinizzazione dei suoli, necessita di un cambiamento. Servono pratiche agricole sostenibili, con idonei requisiti irrigui, di drenaggio del suolo, di resistenza alla salinizzazione e di controllo del suolo. Dopo un’analisi generale sulle condizioni dell’acquifero, è stato monitorato un transetto di 10km rappresentativo della parte costiera di Ravenna. Infine, con l'obiettivo di comprendere l'interazione tra un canale d'irrigazione e le acque sotterranee, una piccola area agricola (12 ettari), è stata monitorata nel corso del 2011 utilizzando metodi idrologici, geochimici e geofisici. I risultati di questo lavoro mostrano una diffusa salinizzazione della falda freatica, ma anche la presenza di una lente d'acqua dolce spessa 5m, a 400m dalla linea di riva, con caratteristiche chimiche (hydrofacies) tipici di acque continentali e con dimensioni variabili stagionalmente. Questa bolla di acqua dolce si è originata esclusivamente dalle infiltrazioni dal canale d’irrigazione presente, in quanto, il contributo dell’irrigazione superficiale è stato nullo. Sfruttando la rete di canali di drenaggio già presente sarebbe possibile estendere questo processo d’infiltrazione da canale in altre porzioni dell’acquifero allo scopo di ricaricare l’acquifero stesso e limitare la salinizzazione dei suoli.

Quand les greniers se remplissent: Les bénéfices du partenariat entre la recherche agronomique, la vulgarisation agricole et des organisations paysannes au Mali

This publication is a collation and summary of the major achievements of the Agricultural Research Station of Cinzana (SRAC) and the Capacity Building for Sustainable Agriculture Project (PRECAD). Both projects, created in 1983 and 2006, respectively, have been developed through close collaboration between the Rural Economy Institute (IER) responsible for agricultural research in Mali and the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA), formerly the Ciba-Geigy Foundation. The publication covers the period from 1979 to 2009 and includes, where available, some key information for the year 2010. It is aimed at a wide audience and provides an overview of the work carried out in Mali by an agricultural research station and an extension project. It highlights the obstacles and opportunities encountered by the SRAC and PRECAD, as well as the successes and difficulties arising from their work.

The interorganizational challenge of agricultural reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The case study reported below examines USAID's "Linking Agricultural Markets with Producers" program. This program complemented Bosnia and Herzegovina's overall sustainable agriculture policies. Implementing organizations quickly recognized that sustainability must be achieved not only from an environmental perspective, but in the interorganizational domain as well. Public, private and nonprofit players had to develop the social, economic and political infrastructure required for sustainable agricultural projects to succeed. These institutional changes were at times more difficult than the sustainable agriculture policies and practices they supported. Framed within LAMP's identification of constraints and proposed solutions for agricultural reform, we explored the interorganizational linkages required for success. We identified three distinct types: 1) those within the international community, 2) those within the local community and 3) those between international and local organizations. The case illustrates the institutional and managerial obstacles to and opportunities for implementing sustainable development reforms in transition settings.

The Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern

The Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) is the University of Bern's center for sustainable development research. Founded in 1988 as a part of the Institute of Geography, CDE became an interdisciplinary university center in 2009. Its current overall aim is to foster sustainable development-oriented research across various institutes and departments of the University of Bern. In view of this new mandate, CDE devised a new strategy focusing on 6 strategic themes. These are explored and advanced by groups of researchers organized in thematic clusters. Three of the 6 clusters address sustainable development from a comprehensive perspective: global change impacts, innovations for sustainable development, and education for sustainable development. These clusters are complemented by 3 clusters that investigate sustainable development with a specialized perspective: natural resources and ecosystem services, multidimensional disparities, and governance of land and natural resources.

AGROFORESTRY ADDRESSING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN PARAGUAY

Paraguay is characterized in part by an economy reliant on a massive soy industry and as facing social and economic challenges resulting from highly inequitable distribution of wealth and land ownership, particularly for smallholder farmers in the rural areas of the country. Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), a native tree of which the leaves are used in tea, has become an increasingly common crop grown among common among smallholder farmers (owners of 10 hectares or less) as a viable alternative to soy production on a small scale. In the rural agricultural community of Libertad del Sur, located in the heart of the severely deforested Bosque Atlántico del Alto-Paraná, a series of development initiatives including tree nurseries and agroforestry projects with yerba mate were implemented with involvement of several governmental and nongovernmental organizations. Research was conducted to identify effectiveness of an agroforestry strategy to promote reforestation activities and sustainable agriculture to achieve economic and subsistence goals of the rural population. Despite a severe drought impacting initial research goals, important lessons are considered regarding promotion of development work within the community as well as community perceptions towards development agencies. Pursuit of compromise between community member and agency goals using sustainable agricultural practices is identified as an effective means to promote mutually beneficial development strategies.

Models with Plants, Microorganisms and Viruses for Basic Research in Homeopathy

Most criticism about homeopathy concerns the lack of a scientific basis and theoretical models. In order to be accepted as a valid part of medical practice, a wellstructured research strategy for homeopathy is needed. This is often hampered by methodological problems as well as by gross underinvestment in the required academic resources. Fundamental research could make important contributions to our understanding of the homeopathic and high dilutions mechanisms of action. Since the pioneering works of Kolisko on wheat germination (Kolisko, 1923) and Junker on growth of microorganisms (paramecium, yeast, fungi) (Junker, 1928), a number of experiments have been performed either with healthy organisms (various physiological aspects of growth) or with artificially diseased organisms, which may react more markedly to homeopathic treatments than healthy ones. In the latter case, the preliminary stress may be either abiotic, e.g. heavy metals, or biotic, e.g. fungal and viral pathogens or nematode infection. Research has also been carried out into the applicability of homeopathic principles to crop growth and disease control (agrohomeopathy): because of the extreme dilutions used, the environmental impact is low and such treatments are well suited to the holistic approach of sustainable agriculture (Betti et al., 2006). Unfortunately, as Scofield reported in an extensive critical review (Scofield, 1984), there is little firm evidence to support the reliability of the reported results, due to poor experimental methodology and inadequate statistical analysis. Moreover, since there is no agricultural homeopathic pharmacopoeia, much work is required to find suitable remedies, potencies and dose levels.

Erosion Damage Mapping: Assessing Current Soil Erosion Damage in Switzerland

Within the scope of a comprehensive assessment of the degree of soil erosion in Switzerland, common methods have been used in the past including test plot measurements, artificial rainfall simulation, and erosion modelling. In addition, mapping guidelines for all visible erosion features have been developed since the 1970s and are being successfully applied in many research and soil conservation projects. Erosion damage has been continuously mapped over a period of 9 years in a test region in the central Bernese plateau. In 2005, two additional study areas were added. The present paper assesses the data gathered and provides a comparison of the three study areas within a period of one year (from October 2005 to October 2006), focusing on the on-site impacts of soil erosion. During this period, about 11 erosive rainfall events occurred. Average soil loss rates mapped at each study site amounted to 0.7 t ha-1, 1.2 t ha-1 and 2.3 t ha-1, respectively. About one fourth of the total arable land showed visible erosion damage. Maximum soil losses of about 70 t ha-1 occurred on individual farm plots. Average soil erosion patterns are widely used to underline the severity of an erosion problem (e.g. impacts on water bodies). But since severe rainfall events, wheel tracks, headlands, and other “singularities” often cause high erosion rates, analysis of extreme erosion patterns such as maximum values led to a more differentiated understanding and appropriate conclusions for planning and design of soil protection measures. The study contains an assessment of soil erosion in Switzerland, emphasizing questions about extent, frequency and severity. At the same time, the effects of different types of land management are investigated in the field, aiming at the development of meaningful impact indicators of (un-)sustainable agriculture/soil erosion risk as well as the validation of erosion models. The results illustrate that conservation agriculture including no-till, strip tillage and in-mulch seeding plays an essential role in reducing soil loss as compared to conventional tillage.

Social Learning Processes in Swiss Soil Protection? The 'From Farmer - To Farmer' Project

Social learning approaches have become a prominent focus in studies related to sustainable agriculture. In order to better understand the potential of social learning for more sustainable development, the present study assessed the processes, effects and facilitating elements of interaction related to social learning in the context of Swiss soil protection and the innovative ‘From Farmer - To Farmer’ project. The study reveals that social learning contributes to fundamental transformations of patterns of interactions. However, the study also demonstrates that a learning-oriented understanding of sustainable development implies including analysis of the institutional environments in which the organizations of the individual representatives of face-to-face-based social learning processes are operating. This has shown to be a decisive element when face-to-face-based learning processes of the organisations’ representatives are translated into organisational learning. Moreover, the study revealed that this was achieved not directly through formalisation of new lines of institutionalised cooperation but by establishing links in a ‘boundary space’ trying out new forms of collaboration, aiming at social learning and co-production of knowledge. It is argued that further research on social learning processes should give greater emphasis to this intermediary level of ‘boundary spaces’.

Integration of Pasturing Systems for Cattle Finishing Programs

A 3-year study, using 84 fall-born and 28 spring-born calves of similar genotypes, was conducted to integrate pasturing systems with drylot feeding systems. Calves were started on test following weaning in May and October. Seven treatments were imposed: 1) fall-born calves directly into feedlot; 2 and 3) fall-born calves put on pasture with or without ionophore and moved to the feedlot at the end of July; 4 and 5) fall-born calves put on pasture with or without ionophore and moved to the feedlot at the end of October; 6 and 7) spring-born calves put on pasture with or without ionophore and moved to the feedlot at the end of October. A bromegrass pasture consisting of 16 paddocks, each 1.7 acre in size, was available. Each treatment group had access to 1 paddock at a time and was rotated at approximately 3-day intervals. In the feedlot, steers were provided an 82% concentrate diet containing whole-shelled corn, ground alfalfa hay, and a protein, vitamin and mineral supplement containing ionophore and molasses. As pens of cattle reached about 1150 lb. average live weight, they were processed and carcass traits were evaluated. Pasture daily gains were highest for cattle on pasture for the longest duration (P < .03), and overall daily gains were highest for drylot cattle (P < .01) and decreased with increased time spent on pasture. Although differences among treatments existed in numerical scores for yield and quality grades (P < .05 and P < .03, respectively), all treatments provided average yield grade scores of 2 and quality grades of low Choice or higher. Use of four production costs and pricing scenarios revealed that fall-born calves placed on pasture for varying lengths of time were the most profitable (P < .04) among the treatments. Furthermore, employing a 5% price sensitivity analysis, indicated that fed-cattle selling price had great impact on profit potential and was followed in importance by feeder purchase price and corn grain price. Overall, these findings should provide significant production alternatives for some segments of the cattle feeding industry and also lend substantial credence to the concept of sustainable agriculture.

Impacts of Technology Adoption: Comparing Returns to the Farming Sector in Maine under Alternative Technology Regimes

This thesis tests if certain technology choices are associated with a reduction in the proportion of farming activities in the agro-food system in Maine. Goodman, Sorj, and Wilkinson define appropriationism as the replacement of farming sector activities by industrial inputs. Based on the concept of appropriationism, industrial fanning systems using large amounts of synthetic inputs contribute less to fanning than more agrarian systems, like organic fanning. Thus, returns to the farming sector should be greater for organic compared with conventional potato fanning in Maine since organic farming uses fewer industrial inputs. Goodman et. al. define substitutionism as the displacement of farming sector commodities and activities by industrial processes in the marketing sector. Based on the concept of substitutionism, returns to the farming sector should be greater for Lay's Classic®™ potato chips made from natural potatoes compared with Baked Lay's®™ potato crisps manufactured from processed dehydrated potatoes. Returns to the farming sector are defined as returns to the farmer or farm family from farming activities, returns to farm labor, and returns to farmers and farm labor producing inputs used on the farm. Results show absolute returns to the farming sector are less for organic compared to conventional tablestock potato farms in Maine. However as a proportion of farm revenues, large organic farms that market at least 25% of their produce to retail stores or directly to consumers do as well as conventional farms. When comparing returns as a proportion of consumer expenditures, these organic farms do better than conventional farms. Returns to the farming sector are less for organic because of yield penalties, cost of marketing services, and diseconomies of size for organic tablestock potato farms. Expanding acreage and reintegrating livestock with cropping systems may increase returns to the fanning sector. Organic farming demonstrates difficulties in providing marketing services at the farm level. Providing marketing services limits the ability to expand production to capture economies of size. Maine organic potato farmers emphasize non-monetary values such as supporting sustainable agriculture, self-sufficiency, the intrinsic value of work, and close community and family connections. Returns to the farming sector as a proportion of consumer expenditures are about three times greater for Lay's Classic®™ potato chips than for Baked Lay's®™ potato crisps, since the value that farmers receive for potatoes used to produce dehydrated potato flakes in one pound of crisps is about half of the value that farmers receive for potatoes used to make one pound of chips. However, this assumes farmers assign a cost to producing low-grade potatoes for dehydration proportionate to their value. Premium potatoes are used to produce potato chips. Low-grade potatoes are used to produce the dehydrated potato flakes used to make potato crisps. Returns to the farming sector are slightly greater for potato crisps if no costs are allocated to producing low-grade potatoes for dehydration. A shift in consumer preferences from potato chips to crisps may result in a geographical shift of potato production from Maine to the Pacific Northwest assuming no food-grade dehydration facilities are built in Maine.

Los bioinsecticidas de nim en el control de plagas de insectos en cultivos económicos : La Habana (Cuba)

En Cuba, la generalización del cultivo del Nim (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) y el uso de los bioinsecticidas producidos a partir de éste como apoyo al desarrollo de una agricultura sostenible y ecológica, trae consigo la necesidad de validar su efectividad biológica en una gama cada vez más amplia de plagas de interés agrícola. En el presente trabajo se demuestra que con el uso de los productos OleoNim 80 CE, NeoNim 60 CE, CubaNim T, CubaNim SM y FoliarNim HM es posible controlar con eficacia la acción nociva de plagas tales como Diaphania hyalinata (L.) en melón, Empoasca fabae (Harris) en poroto, Thrips palmi (Karny) en pepino en organopónico y bajo condiciones de cultivo protegido, y Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) en poroto y tomate. Las efectividades biológicas alcanzadas en estas experiencias, oscilaron entre 75 y 100 %, lo cual confirma la factibilidad del uso de estos bioinsecticidas insertados en el Manejo Integrado de Plagas para una agricultura sostenible.

Factores que influyen en la adopción de tecnologías de conservación de suelos en el secano interior de Chile Central

El desarrollo de sistemas agrícolas sustentables es un desafío en el contexto de políticas e incentivos tendientes a la conservación de los recursos naturales, especialmente en zonas de secano. El presente estudio examina variables demográficas y productivas que influyen en la adopción de tecnologías de conservación de suelos en 90 pequeños productores del secano interior de Chile Central, en las comunas de Pencahue y Curepto. Se utilizó un modelo de regresión Probit, el cual asocia la adopción de las tecnologías con las variables: edad del agricultor, tamaño familiar, superficie predial y forma de tenencia de la tierra; presencia de: plantaciones forestales, invernaderos, aboneras, animales mayores en el predio; experiencia en comercialización del productor y participación en actividades de capacitación. El modelo seleccionado tiene un alto poder de predicción, llegando a clasificar correctamente un 92,2% de las observaciones. Los resultados econométricos muestran que la participación en actividades de extensión, la superficie predial, la presencia de plantaciones forestales y el uso de aboneras, influyen de manera positiva y significativa sobre la adopción de tecnologías conservacionistas. Resulta relevante el impacto de la capacitación sobre la adopción de tecnologías de alto grado de inversión, así como la incorporación de prácticas de conservación de bajo nivel de inversión como las aboneras.

Sustainability of irrigated farming systems in a Tunisian region: A recursive stochastic programming analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sustainability of farm irrigation systems in the Cébalat district in northern Tunisia. It addressed the challenging topic of sustainable agriculture through a bio-economic approach linking a biophysical model to an economic optimisation model. A crop growth simulation model (CropSyst) was used to build a database to determine the relationships between agricultural practices, crop yields and environmental effects (salt accumulation in soil and leaching of nitrates) in a context of high climatic variability. The database was then fed into a recursive stochastic model set for a 10-year plan that allowed analysing the effects of cropping patterns on farm income, salt accumulation and nitrate leaching. We assumed that the long-term sustainability of soil productivity might be in conflict with farm profitability in the short-term. Assuming a discount rate of 10% (for the base scenario), the model closely reproduced the current system and allowed to predict the degradation of soil quality due to long-term salt accumulation. The results showed that there was more accumulation of salt in the soil for the base scenario than for the alternative scenario (discount rate of 0%). This result was induced by applying a higher quantity of water per hectare for the alternative as compared to a base scenario. The results also showed that nitrogen leaching is very low for the two discount rates and all climate scenarios. In conclusion, the results show that the difference in farm income between the alternative and base scenarios increases over time to attain 45% after 10 years.