Agro pampeano y roles familiares en la década de 1960

En los años sesenta del siglo XX la región pampeana vivía una etapa de modernización y expansión productiva que fue acompañada de una mayor urbanización de la población. Esta situación no significó que desapareciera el interés en definir el lugar de las familias en la explotación agrícola antes bien pensamos que se intensificó y complejizó. El objetivo del presente artículo es analizar el papel atribuido a la familia del productor pequeño o mediano y los roles asignados a sus distintos miembros, en su participación en el desarrollo rural pampeano, desde el Estado y la sociedad civil, a través del análisis de publicaciones periódicas provenientes de esos sectores.

Estado de situación del agro pampeano. Bases para teorizar sobre indicadores de vulnerabilidad socio-territorial

El estado de situación del agro pampeano desde la implantación del modelo económico neoliberal en la década del '70 hasta nuestros días, plantea el desafío de repensar las categorías de análisis que nos permitan abordar el estudio de la vulnerabilidad socio-territorial de los actores sociales implicados en el agro. Los supuestos neoliberales que han conducido el modelo de producción agropecuario de acumulación y rápida rotación de capital, especulación financiera, externalización de costos sociales y ambientales, entre otros generan situaciones de profundas desigualdades socio-territoriales, que incrementan los grados de vulnerabilidad. Resulta ineludible entonces teorizar sobre indicadores que, bajo otros supuestos, nos permitan valorar los niveles de vulnerabilidad para proponer alternativas que respondan al principio de justicia socio-territorial. Para la consecución de dicho objetivo, se parte de un análisis del estado de situación del agro en el sur cordobés; se analizan luego los supuestos neoliberales que han orientado la producción agropecuaria, para pensar caminos alternativos al modelo de capitalismo agrario, a fin de realizar nuestro aporte a la discusión sobre la construcción de indicadores de vulnerabilidad socio-territorial.

Agroindústria familiar : Um mecanismo de estímulo à especialização das atividades na propriedade rural?

Family agroindustry has been considered by several authors as an important reproduction alternative for family-based agriculture. However, this production process, which includes primary (production of raw-materials) and secondary (industrialization of production) activities, is generating a general concern. Can agroindustry, by promoting non-agricultural income for farmers, cause a reduction or, in extreme cases, an extinction of agricultural production in farm estates developing industrialization activities for selling in markets (family agroindustries)? In this sense, the purpose of this research was to analyse whether agroindustry can promote specialisation in family-based farm estates, or whether it is a form of economic diversification, being merely an activity similar to those developed in farm estates before the emergence of this process. The empirical study was conducted in 45 family agroindustries of sugarcane derivatives located in the Northeast of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil).

Victorian Dominant Land Cover, 2009-2013

There is a demand for regularly updated, broad-scale, accurate land cover information in Victoria from multiple stakeholders. This paper documents the methods used to generate an annual dominant land cover (DLC) map for Victoria, Australia from 2009 to 2013. Vegetation phenology parameters derived from an annual time series of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Vegetation Indices 16-day 250 m (MOD13Q1) product were used to generate annual DLC maps, using a three-tiered hierarchical classification scheme. Classification accuracy at the broadest (primary) class level was over 91% for all years, while it ranged from 72 to 81% at the secondary class level. The most detailed class level (tertiary) had accuracy levels ranging from 61 to 68%. The approach used was able to accommodate variable climatic conditions, which had substantial impacts on vegetation growth patterns and agricultural production across the state between both regions and years. The production of an annual dataset with complete spatial coverage for Victoria provides a reliable base data set with an accuracy that is fit-for-purpose for many applications.

Salinization Model with links to source files

This computational model of irrigation agriculture is used to study the effects of salinization in Mesopotamia. Scholars have long suspected that central and southern Mesopotamia present environments which limited agricultural production over long-term periods. In regions such as central Mesopotamia, where salinization likely affected settlement in different periods but was more manageable than in more southern regions, fallowing regimes, natural and engineered leaching, and decisions made on when to crop were strategies applied in order to limit the effects of salinization. The model is used to assess the effectiveness of these coping strategies by incorporating projected climate, soil, and landscape conditions with agricultural practices. The simulation results not only demonstrate the effectiveness and limitations of techniques to inhibiting progressive salinization but can be compared with the archaeological record in order to determine if the results correspond to past events and help to interpret past settlement history.

Theory of a Flowchart Approach to Industrial Cluster Policy

A flowchart approach to industrial cluster policy emphasizes the importance ofthe ordering of policy measures. The flow of policy implementation is to establish an industrial zone, to invite an anchor company, and to promote its related companies to invest in the industrial zone. This article delineated "a flowchart approach to industrial cluster policy" by proposing sufficient conditions for forming industrial clusters typical in the manufacturing industry in Asia to enhance regional economic growth. The typical industrial cluster policy was theorized by defining an industrial zone as "quasi-public goods", and it was shown that the policy enhances economic growth under a production function of "increasing returns to scale" of an anchor company. Critical amounts of the production of "scale economies" that are used by the related companies to decide whether or not to invest in clusters were also shown.

Agglomeration Economies in Japan: Technical Efficiency, Growth and Unemployment

This paper examines if the effects of agglomeration economies get manifested in technical efficiency and generate faster economic growth and higher (lower) levels of employment (unemployment). Using the prefecture level data for each of the two-digit groups of industries in Japan, the paper estimates region-specific technical efficiency index based on the stochastic frontier production function framework. The results of the factor analysis show that in most of the industry-groups (with a few exceptions) efficiency has a positive association with external scale variable(s). Though the relationship is not seen to be very strong, it would be equally erroneous to ignore the effect of agglomeration economies on efficiency. In the case of some of the light goods industries the agglomeration effect is relatively stronger. Further, economic growth varies positively with external scale variable(s) and unemployment rate tends to fall with respect to growth and concentration. All this tends to suggest that measures against industrial concentration may be counter-productive, particularly in the context of globalisation when countries are in dire need of raising productivity.

Food crop diversification as a risk mitigating strategy during conflict : evidence from Cote d'Ivoire

This study examines the significance of food crop diversification as a household risk mitigating strategy to achieve "self-sufficiency" to ensure food security during the civil conflict in Cote d’Ivoire. The main motivation for seeking self-sufficiency stems from the fact that during the period of heightened tension due to conflict, the north–south divide set by the UN peacekeeping line disrupted the agricultural supply chain from the food surplus zone, Savane in the north. While we theoretically predict a positive effect on crop diversification because of interrupted food supply chain, we also consider a negative effect due to the covariate shocks. We find robust and statistically significant empirical outcomes supporting such claims. The baseline outcomes withstand a series of robustness checks. The net effect of conflict on crop diversification is positive but not statistically significant. In addition, we find that increasing vulnerability to poverty and food insecurity during conflict seems to be the underlying factors that motivate farm households to adopt such coping strategies.

A closer look at the diffusion of ChinaGAP

To enhance Chinese agricultural production, improve food quality, build consumer trust, and encourage the export of agricultural products, the Chinese government designed the Chinese version of Good Agricultural Practice (ChinaGAP) based on the main principles of the GlobalGAP combining the current Chinese agricultural production situation. This paper studies the characteristics of the ChinaGAP and focusing on the diffusion of the standard using qualitative analysis. Relevant policy recommendations are given based on the Chinese agricultural production status. Previous studies mainly focused on the role of the government. However this paper makes specific suggestions to particular stakeholders in the standard making and diffusion process.

Adaptación del modelo leader en el territorio huejotzingo, puebla: una nueva propuesta de desarrollo rural local

Free people association constructed from button to above to get better conditions of people using local resources, are among others, elements of local development. LEADER (Liaisons HQWUH DFWLYLWpV GH 'HYHORSHPHQW GH /¶(FRQRPLH 5XUDO) is the Europe Union model of rural development. The LEADER method is conformed in seven features which are factors of success in the approach of applying in different territories . The actions held in the municipal council of rural development of San Andres C a l p a n during 2010 showed some elements of LEADER for it´s adjustment: 1).- territory definition , 2).- local association , 3).- financing. It´s used a methodology consists of reviewing documents about the financing and association in the territory studied, survey applying t define the model of agricultural production and development along with mayors of different municipalities, the economical and social actors. The definition performance field with territory integration of citizen councils as groups of local action and a financing strategy are part of the results of this process of adapting in this territory

The Extended Water Footprint and illegal groundwater use in the Upper Guadiana Basin (Spain)

Tablas de Daimiel National Park is located in the Upper Guadiana Basin and represents one of the largest and most important wetlands in Europe. The long term ecological integrity of this wetland is inherently associated with the maintenance of a shallow groundwater table, namely the Western Mancha aquifer (WMA) or Aquifer 23. The intensive use of groundwater, mainly for irrigation, has led over the last decades to deep socio‐economic changes. Such intensive use has also lowered the water table of Aquifer 23, drastically reducing the flooded area of the wetland and threatening its ecological integrity. A number of plans and measures have been developed and implemented since the declaration of overexploitation of Aquifer 23 in the year 1987. The most recent one is the Special Plan for the Upper Guadiana (SPUG), approved in 2008. This Plan is the main measure to comply with achieving the objective of good quantitative and qualitative status required under the Water Framework Directive (2000). This paper offers a new type of integrated analysis which allows assessing under a common lens the physical, economic and social dimensions of groundwater use in the area. The first objective is to calculate the groundwater footprint of agricultural production in the Upper Guadiana basin and its evolution during 2000‐2008. For this purpose, we have applied the Extended Water Footprint (EWF) methodology ‐a novel approach based on the classical Water Footprint (WF) approach‐ that includes an assessment of the water productivity from an economic and social perspective. Compared to the classical WF, the EWF allows for a more complete overview of the sector, providing new insights for policy decisions (e.g. to define options and possibilities on water re‐allocation in order to achieve both better ecosystem conservation and social equity). The second objective is to use the EWF to compare the existing authorized and non‐authorized or illegal use of water. This allows us to discuss current initiatives by public authorities in relation to the existing frame of water rights

The role of cover crops in irrigated systems: water balance, nitrate leaching and soil mineral nitrogen accumulation

Soil salinity and salt leaching are a risk for sustainable agricultural production in many irrigated areas. This study was conducted over 3.5 years to determine how replacing the usual winter fallow with a cover crop (CC) affects soil salt accumulation and salt leaching in irrigated systems. Treatments studied during the period between summer crops were: barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), vetch (Vicia villosa L.) and fallow. Soil water content was monitored daily to a depth of 1.3 m and used with the numerical model WAVE to calculate drainage. Electrical conductivity (EC) was measured in soil solutions periodically, and in the soil saturated paste extracts before sowing CC and maize. Salt leaching was calculated multiplying drainage by total dissolved salts in the soil solution, and use to obtain a salt balance. Total salt leaching over the four winter fallow periods was 26 Mg ha−1, whereas less than 18 Mg ha−1 in the presence of a CC. Periods of salt gain occurred more often in the CC than in the fallow. By the end of the experiment, net salt losses occurred in all treatments, owing to occasional periods of heavy rainfall. The CC were more prone than the fallow to reduce soil salt accumulation during the early growth stages of the subsequent cash crop.

The role of cover crops in irrigated systems: Soil salinity and salt leaching

Soil salinity and salt leaching are a risk for sustainable agricultural production in many irrigated areas. This study was conducted over 3.5 years to determine how replacing the usual winter fallow with a cover crop (CC) affects soil salt accumulation and salt leaching in irrigated systems. Treatments studied during the period between summer crops were: barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), vetch (Vicia villosa L.) and fallow. Soil water content was monitored daily to a depth of 1.3 m and used with the numerical model WAVE to calculate drainage. Electrical conductivity (EC) was measured in soil solutions periodically, and in the soil saturated paste extracts before sowing CC and maize. Salt leaching was calculated multiplying drainage by total dissolved salts in the soil solution, and use to obtain a salt balance. Total salt leaching over the four winter fallow periods was 26 Mg ha−1, whereas less than 18 Mg ha−1 in the presence of a CC. Periods of salt gain occurred more often in the CC than in the fallow. By the end of the experiment, net salt losses occurred in all treatments, owing to occasional periods of heavy rainfall. The CC were more prone than the fallow to reduce soil salt accumulation during the early growth stages of the subsequent cash crop.

Assessing agriculture-water relationships: a Pan-European multidimensional modelling approach.

This paper aims at developing a simulation framework to jointly assess agricultural and water issues. While the strong linkages between water, food, and the environment call for an integrated and multidisciplinary modelling approach, a complete and consistent modelling system to evaluate food-water relationships in Europe was missing so far. The spatial economic simulation model for agriculture CAPRI, which comprises a set of environmental indicators to assess food-environment interrelations within European regions, has been extended to account for food-water links. This modelling framework enables simulating the potential impact of climate change and water availability on agricultural production at the EU regional level, as well as looking at the sustainable use of water, the implementation of water policies or the integration of water issues in the Common Agricultural Policy

Direct and indirect economic impacts of drought in the agri-food sector in the Ebro River basin (Spain).

The economic evaluation of drought impacts is essential in order to define efficient and sustainable management and mitigation strategies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the economic impacts of a drought event on the agricultural sector and measure how they are transmitted from primary production to industrial output and related employment. We fit econometric models to determine the magnitude of the economic loss attributable to water storage. The direct impacts of drought on agricultural productivity are measured through a direct attribution model. Indirect impacts on agricultural employment and the agri-food industry are evaluated through a nested indirect attribution model. The transmission of water scarcity effects from agricultural production to macroeconomic variables is measured through chained elasticities. The models allow for differentiating the impacts deriving from water scarcity from other sources of economic losses. Results show that the importance of drought impacts are less relevant at the macroeconomic level, but are more significant for those activities directly dependent on water abstractions and precipitation. From a management perspective, implications of these findings are important to develop effective mitigation strategies to reduce drought risk exposure.