[Objectives]To establish an integrated agro-aquaculture ecological farming model by combining in-pond cage fish farming,water circulation systems,and rice cultivation on bio-floating beds,and compared it with traditio...[Objectives]To establish an integrated agro-aquaculture ecological farming model by combining in-pond cage fish farming,water circulation systems,and rice cultivation on bio-floating beds,and compared it with traditional pond farming.[Methods]The research was carried out in 3 test ponds and 3 control ponds.A 6 m×9 m×2.5 m cage was set every 667 m 2 in the test pond,and water circulator and microporous oxygenation equipment were installed.Ecological floating beds were set on both sides of the pond.Common aeration equipment was used for control ponds.The same number and size of crucian carp,and the same number,proportion and size of silver carp and bighead carp were raised in both the test and control groups.Total nitrogen,ammonium nitrogen,total phosphorus and phosphate content was determined every 15 d,and growth indicators and feed conversion ratios of fish were measured at the end of the experiment.[Conclusions]The content of total nitrogen,ammonium nitrogen,total phosphorus and phosphate in the experimental group decreased by 50.69%,69.12%,62.62%and 54.20%,respectively,compared with the control group.Compared with the control group,the harvest size,survival rate and yield per unit area of crucian carp in the experimental group increased by 5.25%,7.58%and 13.28%,respectively,and the feed conversion ratio decreased by 4.72%.[Results]The integrated agro-aquaculture model demonstrated significant advantages in mitigating eutrophication,improving yield,and enhancing feed efficiency.展开更多
In this paper Cheng Yanqiu’s personality,manliness and his hobbies are discussed.From the narration of his farming life in the 1940s and his founding of schools his view on life is to be seen.In the latter part of th...In this paper Cheng Yanqiu’s personality,manliness and his hobbies are discussed.From the narration of his farming life in the 1940s and his founding of schools his view on life is to be seen.In the latter part of the paper the artistic achievements of his masterpiece“The Lucky Purse”are explored.展开更多
The increasing conversion of agricultural land to organic farming requires the development of specifically adapted cultivars.So far,in tomato there is lack of research for selection of germplasm suitable for sustainab...The increasing conversion of agricultural land to organic farming requires the development of specifically adapted cultivars.So far,in tomato there is lack of research for selection of germplasm suitable for sustainable agroecosystems.In this study,we investigated the genotypic and environmental factors affecting the variation of plant,fruits,and root traits in 39 tomato genotypes grown under organic farming conditions.Four independent experiments were conducted in Italy and Spain across two consecutive seasons in 2019 and 2020.For all traits,the factorial linear regression model to estimate the main effects of genotype(G),location(L),year of cultivation(Y)and their interactions,revealed highly significant(P<0.001)variations,with the G factor being largely predominant for most traits.The implementation of the“which-won-where”,“mean performance versus stability”and“discriminative vs representativeness”patterns in the GGE(Genotype plus Genotype by Environment interaction)analysis,allowed the identification of superior cultivars with high stability across the testing environments.Genomic characterization with 30890 high quality SNPs from dd RADseq genotyping analysis,revealed that a specific cluster of cherry tomato accessions were low performing in terms of yield and fruit weight,on the contrary,showed a high content of soluble solids,which in agreement with GGE analysis.Results of this study provide a framework for the potential use of this locally adapted tomato germplasm to address the needs of more sustainable agriculture.展开更多
Smallholder farming in West Africa faces various challenges, such as limited access to seeds, fertilizers, modern mechanization, and agricultural climate services. Crop productivity obtained under these conditions var...Smallholder farming in West Africa faces various challenges, such as limited access to seeds, fertilizers, modern mechanization, and agricultural climate services. Crop productivity obtained under these conditions varies significantly from one farmer to another, making it challenging to accurately estimate crop production through crop models. This limitation has implications for the reliability of using crop models as agricultural decision-making support tools. To support decision making in agriculture, an approach combining a genetic algorithm (GA) with the crop model AquaCrop is proposed for a location-specific calibration of maize cropping. In this approach, AquaCrop is used to simulate maize crop yield while the GA is used to derive optimal parameters set at grid cell resolution from various combinations of cultivar parameters and crop management in the process of crop and management options calibration. Statistics on pairwise simulated and observed yields indicate that the coefficient of determination varies from 0.20 to 0.65, with a yield deviation ranging from 8% to 36% across Burkina Faso (BF). An analysis of the optimal parameter sets shows that regardless of the climatic zone, a base temperature of 10˚C and an upper temperature of 32˚C is observed in at least 50% of grid cells. The growing season length and the harvest index vary significantly across BF, with the highest values found in the Soudanian zone and the lowest values in the Sahelian zone. Regarding management strategies, the fertility mean rate is approximately 35%, 39%, and 49% for the Sahelian, Soudano-sahelian, and Soudanian zones, respectively. The mean weed cover is around 36%, with the Sahelian and Soudano-sahelian zones showing the highest variability. The proposed approach can be an alternative to the conventional one-size-fits-all approach commonly used for regional crop modeling. Moreover, it has the potential to explore the performance of cropping strategies to adapt to changing climate conditions.展开更多
The rapid expansion of tobacco farming poses a significant threat to biodiversity in Yunnan Province,China,a region known for its rich biodiversity.This study aims to understand the trade-offs between tobacco farming ...The rapid expansion of tobacco farming poses a significant threat to biodiversity in Yunnan Province,China,a region known for its rich biodiversity.This study aims to understand the trade-offs between tobacco farming and higher plant species diversity,and to identify priority counties for conservation.We employed an integrated approach combining species distribution modeling,GIS overlay analysis,and empirical spatial regression to em pirically assess the impact of tobacco farming intensity on biodiversity risk.Our findings reveal a compelling negative spatial correlation between tobacco farming expansion and higher plant species diversity.Specifically,southern counties in Wenshan and Honghe prefectures are major priority areas of conservation that exhibit signif icant spatial correlations between biodiversity risks and high tobacco farming intensity.Quantitatively,at county level,a 1%increase in tobacco farming area corresponds to a 0.094%decrease in endemic higher plant species richness across the entire province.These results underscore the need for targeted and region-specific regulations to mitigate biodiversity loss and promote sustainable development in Yunnan Province.The integrated approach used in this study provides a comprehensive assessment of the tobacco-biodiversity trade-offs,offering actionable insights for policymaking.展开更多
Agriculture extension and advisory services(AEAS)are integral to smart agricultural systems and play a pivotal role in supporting sustainable agricultural development.The study aimed to assess the role of AEAS in stre...Agriculture extension and advisory services(AEAS)are integral to smart agricultural systems and play a pivotal role in supporting sustainable agricultural development.The study aimed to assess the role of AEAS in strengthening climate-smart coastal farming system to enhance coastal agricultural sustainability.A mixed-methods study was conducted in the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh in 2023,which involved administering a structured questionnaire and conducing face-to-face interviews with 390 farmers.Perceived role index(PRI)was employed to assess the potential role of AEAS.To forecast the perceived role outcomes,the machine learning model was undertaken by utilizing suitable algorithms.Additionally,feature importance was calculated to underpin the significant factors of perceived role outcomes.The findings showed that coastal farming communities held a comprehensive understanding of the role of AEAS.Key roles included diffusion of agricultural innovations,acting as a bridge between farmers and research organizations,using demonstration techniques to educate farmers,training farmers on food storage,processing,and utilization,and promoting awareness and adoption of best practices.The machine learning model exposed a significant relationship between farmers’socio-economic characteristics and their perception behavior.The results identified that factors like innovativeness,awareness,training exposure,access to AEAS,and access to information significantly influenced how farmers perceived the efficacy of AEAS in promoting a smart coastal farming system.However,farmers confronted multiple constraints in receiving demand-driven services and maintaining coastal farm sustainability.These insights can guide concerned authorities and policy-makers in providing AEAS for the purpose of strengthening climate-smart coastal farming system,particularly with a special focus on capacity building programs and machine learning application.Moreover,the outcomes of this study can assist the authorities of similar coastal systems throughout the world to initiate potential strategies for enhancing region-specific agricultural sustainability.展开更多
Intensive farming practices,aimed at maximizing crop yields through substantial inputs of labour,technology,and chemical fertilizers,have significantly transformed modern agriculture.However,these methods have raised ...Intensive farming practices,aimed at maximizing crop yields through substantial inputs of labour,technology,and chemical fertilizers,have significantly transformed modern agriculture.However,these methods have raised serious concerns regarding soil health,environmental sustainability,and long-term agricultural viability.This study examines the ecological impact of intensive farming on soil health in the KB Asifabad District of Telangana,India,where traditional and modern farming techniques coexist.The objectives include analysing socio-economic factors influencing farming methods,evaluating the impact of tilling techniques and fertilizer use on soil health,and promoting sustainable practices through education and policy recommendations.Findings reveal a strong reliance on chemical fertilizers,with 98.3% of farmers using them exclusively due to their perceived efficiency and rapid results.However,this overdependence has led to soil degradation,reduced microbial diversity,and environmental pollution.Conversely,despite its ecological benefits,natural manure remains underutilized due to scepticism and economic constraints.Mechanical tilling methods,while effective,have negatively impacted soil structure and fertility.The study highlights the necessity of transitioning to sustainable practices,integrating organic inputs,and adopting conservation techniques to restore soil health and ecosystem balance.This research provides practical pathways for achieving sustainable agriculture by integrating traditional knowledge with modern practices.It is particularly relevant for policymakers,agricultural extension services,and farming communities as it highlights the need for educational initiatives,financial incentives,and regulatory measures to ensure long-term soil fertility,environmental stewardship,and improved farmer livelihoods.展开更多
This study uses prefecture-level city statistical data from China from 2000-2022 to measure the supply and demand of livestock manure nitrogen nutrients and calculates farmland livestock carrying capacity using the ni...This study uses prefecture-level city statistical data from China from 2000-2022 to measure the supply and demand of livestock manure nitrogen nutrients and calculates farmland livestock carrying capacity using the nitrogen nutrient balance method.We investigate nitrogen supply and demand and livestock carrying capacity in northeast China by comparing emissions from 2000-2022 over the past several decades.The poultry and livestock industry in northeast China has changed significantly over the past two decades:pigs are now the most bred animal and poultry production has increased dramatically.Regional livestock nitrogen emissions are influenced primarily by the size of the local livestock industry chain.Due to regional differences,each region has unique breeding structures.We also predict the anticipated situation in 2050 using the business-as usual scenario.High-risk livestock carrying capacity areas will be concentrated in the northeast and southeast regions,with significantly increased risk indices,compared with those of 2022,particularly in Shenyang,Fushun,and Tieling.Therefore,promoting farming and breeding,improving livestock manure utilization,and returning manure to nearby farmlands are crucial for meeting agricultural green development goals.展开更多
Chalet farming,as a specific type of agricultural landscape management,has been established in many European mountain ranges,including the Krkono?e Mountains and the Hruby Jeseník Mountains in Czechia.During the ...Chalet farming,as a specific type of agricultural landscape management,has been established in many European mountain ranges,including the Krkono?e Mountains and the Hruby Jeseník Mountains in Czechia.During the operation of such farming from 16/17th century till 1945,many changes in land use/land cover and landscape at all occurred,which are generally evaluated positively.Turbulent events including political,economic and social changes and the displacement of the German-speaking population associated with them in the mid-20th century rapidly ended this development,causing significant landscape changes,such as the abandonment of agricultural land and succession,afforestation,expansion of the alpine tree line,reduction of diversity.The aim of our study is to evaluate changes of land cover(forests,dwarf pine,grasslands,other areas)from 1936/1946 till 2021,secondary succession and driving forces of change for selected meadow enclaves in the Krkonose Mountains and the Hruby Jeseník Mountains after the decline of mountain chalet farming since the middle of 20th century.We used remote sensing methods(aerial imagery)and field research(dendrochronology and comparative photography)to detect the land use/land cover changes in the selected study areas in the Krkono?e Mountains and the Hruby Jeseník Mountains.We documented the process of the succession,which occurred almost immediately after the end of farming,peaking about 10–20 years later,with an earlier start in the Hruby Jeseník Mountains.The succession led to the significant change of land use/land cover and these processes were similar in both mountain ranges.The largest changes were a decrease in grasslands by 62%–64%and an increase in forest area by 33%–40%for both study areas.The abandonment of land is the main consequence of a crucial political driving forces(displacement of German-speaking population)in the Krkono?e Mountains and the Hruby Jeseník Mountains.展开更多
About 44%of the world’s cocoa is produced in one single country,Côte d’Ivoire.Providing this important raw material,most Ivorian cocoa farmers live in severe poverty,which,despite a multitude of sector interven...About 44%of the world’s cocoa is produced in one single country,Côte d’Ivoire.Providing this important raw material,most Ivorian cocoa farmers live in severe poverty,which,despite a multitude of sector interventions,is still widespread,affecting social and environmental sustainability in cocoa production.In this context,cocoa farmers are still often treated as a homogeneous group of small-scale producers(mainly males),resulting in interventions being conceptualized as one-size-fits-all approaches and failing to deliver support schemes that take farmers’specific conditions appropriately into account.Applying a broader typology approach that combines farm characteristics with farmers’characteristics,this study aims to delineate Ivorian cocoa farmers and their farms into specific types in order to improve advice for targeted sustainability interventions and living income(LI)potentials.Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis of a household dataset collected in 2022 in five cocoa-growing regions of Côte d’Ivoire were chosen to identify types of male-headed farms.To assure gender sensitive analysis,a female-headed farm type was created artificially.The specific characteristics of the identified types were captured using descriptive analysis.Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were then applied to examine the relationships between these farm types and various outcomes.Additionally,a binary logistic model was used to estimate the probability of these links in relation to variables relevant for achieving a LI.Finally,Spearman non-parametric correlation was used to identify eventual differences in the strength of relationships between key variables per farm type.Three different types of male-headed farms are identified:type 1(the most productive and diversified farms with larger size),type 2(middle-sized farms with strong focus on cash crops),and type 3(small-sized farms with a good level of diversification for self-consumption).The artificially created type 4 represents female-headed farms with the smallest size.On average,none of these farm types achieves a LI.However,type 1 shows the smallest LI gap,while type 4 is by far the worst.Our analyses reveal underlying socio-economic factors systematically disadvantaging female-headed cocoa farms,most notably limited access to land and other material assets.The key contribution of this study lies in the empirical identification of the different characteristics of farms in a given farming system,thereby identifying the need for targeted support interventions.Type-specific recommendations are made,showing pathways to provide tailored programs to farmers of different types in order to reduce their LI gaps.展开更多
Rice has a huge impact on socio-economic growth,and ensuring its sustainability and optimal utilization is vital.This review provides an insight into the role of smart farming in enhancing rice productivity.The applic...Rice has a huge impact on socio-economic growth,and ensuring its sustainability and optimal utilization is vital.This review provides an insight into the role of smart farming in enhancing rice productivity.The applications of smart farming in rice production including yield estimation,smart irrigation systems,monitoring disease and growth,and predicting rice quality and classifications are highlighted.The challenges of smart farming in sustainable rice production to enhance the understanding of researchers,policymakers,and stakeholders are discussed.Numerous efforts have been exerted to combat the issues in rice production in order to promote rice sector development.The effective implementation of smart farming in rice production has been facilitated by various technical advancements,particularly the integration of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.The future prospects of smart farming in transforming existing rice production practices are also elucidated.Through the utilization of smart farming,the rice industry can attain sustainable and resilient production systems that could mitigate environmental impact and safeguard food security.Thus,the rice industry holds a bright future in transforming current rice production practices into a new outlook in rice smart farming development.展开更多
Contour farming technology plays a key role in reducing soil erosion,enhancing water use efficiency,and fostering sustain-able agricultural development,Despite being a straightforward yet efficacious farming technique...Contour farming technology plays a key role in reducing soil erosion,enhancing water use efficiency,and fostering sustain-able agricultural development,Despite being a straightforward yet efficacious farming technique,it has not seen widespread implement-ation in China.Considering the deteriorating quality of arable lands in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China(BSR-NEC),it is ne-cessary to investigate spatial patterns and identify suitable areas for contour farming in this region.To achieve this objective,spatial autocorrelation and grouping analysis methods were employed to classify the land into four categories of suitability for contour farming:highly suitable,moderately suitable,generally suitable,and unsuitable.The results reveal that:1)the contour farming suitable area in BSR-NEC covers 89861.32 km^(2),accounting for 21.59%of arable land as of 2020.Heilongjiang Province owns the largest suitable area of 32853.68 km^(2),and Inner Mongolia has the highest proportion of 28.89%.2)In terms of the spatial distribution,regions with higher suitability for contour farming are concentrated in the Da Hinggan Mountains region,particularly Nenjiang City(Heilongjiang Province),which has the highest area of 2593.07 km^(2).Areas with a high proportion of suitable arable lands for contour farming are mainly found in the Da Hinggan Mountains and Changbai Mountains regions,with Ergun City(Inner Mongolia)having the highest pro-portion at 47.2%.Regions with higher suitability and proportion are concentrated in the Da Hinggan Mountains region,primarily cover-ing the Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang.3)Regarding spatial clustering,both the area and proportion of suitable contour farming areas exhibit noticeable clustering effects,though not entirely consistent.4)Group analysis results designate 148 counties in BSR-NEC as highly suitable areas,predominantly located in the Changbai Mountains region,Liaodong Peninsula,Hulun Buir Plateau,and the north and south regions of the Da Hinggan Mountains.The zoning of suitable areas for contour farming in BSR-NEC informs the strategic de-velopment of policies and measures,allowing for the implementation of targeted policies in distinct areas suitable for contour farming.This provides a valuable reference for promoting contour farming technology more effectively and efficiently.re effectively and effi-ciently.展开更多
The impact of WorldWar II on the physical landscape of British towns and cities as a result of airborne assault is well known.However,less newsworthy but arguably no less significant is the impact of the war on agricu...The impact of WorldWar II on the physical landscape of British towns and cities as a result of airborne assault is well known.However,less newsworthy but arguably no less significant is the impact of the war on agriculture and the countryside,especially in South-East England.This paper outlines the building of an historical Geographical Information System(GIS)from different data sources including the National Farm Survey(NFS),Luftwaffe and Royal Air Force(RAF)aerial photographs and basic topographic mapping for the South Downs in East and West Sussex.It explores the impact and legacy ofWorldWar II on the agricultural landscape of this area through both the‘plough-up’campaigns aimed at increasing agricultural production and the occupation of farm land for military training purposes.Farms surrounding an area where extensive tracts of land were taken over for military training and defensive purposes on the Downs close to Brighton and the county town of Lewes in East Sussex are the focus of attention illuminating the beneficial and disruptive impacts of the government’s drive to increase food output by bringing land into more productive use by means of a‘plough-up’campaign and using formerly agricultural land for military training.These changes contributed to the transformation of the region into“an arable monoculture”and the virtual disappearance of traditional sheep rearing in the post-war decades.展开更多
Elevation is one of many components that influence agriculture, and this in turn affects the level of both inputs and outputs of farmers. This article focuses on the productivity and technical efficiency of 100 cocoa ...Elevation is one of many components that influence agriculture, and this in turn affects the level of both inputs and outputs of farmers. This article focuses on the productivity and technical efficiency of 100 cocoa farms using cross-sectional data from areas ranging from 190 to 1021 m above sea level which were classified as low, medium, and high elevation in Davao City, considered as the chocolate capital of the Philippines. Using stochastic frontier analysis, the results showed that the cost of inputs per ha and the number of cocoa trees per ha significantly increase yield. Farms at high elevations were less technically efficient, as this entails lower temperatures and increased rainfall, and cocoa farming in those areas and conditions can be more challenging, especially with changes in farming practices, terrain, and distance to markets. Other significant variables were age of cocoa farms, married farmers, and age of the farmers. Older farms may be more developed, farmers who are married benefit from their spouses being able to readily contribute as farm labor, and lastly, older farmers' inefficiency may likely stem from nonadaptation of newer farming practices. With an average technical efficiency of 0.61, 0.63, and 0.26 in low, medium, and high elevation areas, respectively, farmers therefore have an incentive to improve farm practices and consider topographical variations found in high elevation areas. Recommendations for the improvement of technical efficiency of cocoa farms are better connectivity to markets, enhancing farm practices, and continuation and improvement of government programs on cocoa with an added emphasis on research. For farmers in high elevation areas, mitigating solutions such as sustainable agriculture practices and ecolabelling are key to improving efficiency and minimizing the potential negative impact on upland farming systems. Moreover, such adaptation measures may also contribute to sustainability of cocoa farming in high elevation areas.展开更多
The basic theory and effect of the new farming method of ＂Fenlong＂ cultivation which has been included in the main extension technology of Ministry of Agriculture of the People＇s Republic of China is fully illustra...The basic theory and effect of the new farming method of ＂Fenlong＂ cultivation which has been included in the main extension technology of Ministry of Agriculture of the People＇s Republic of China is fully illustrated for the first time, and it is the fourth set （generation） of farming modes and methods following manpower, animal and mechanical （tractor） farming. It follows the natural law to achieve soil activation, water saving, oxygen increase, warming and desalination through the active use of natural resources like soil, rainfall and solar energy, thereby promoting a new round of natural agricultural production and quality improvement and water con- servation, which has crop yield increase by 10%-30%, quality improvement of 5%, natural precipitation retaining increase by100%. The characteristics and mechanism are the use of spiral drill for one-time completion of the land preparation by drilling vertically to 30-50 cm of soil layer through high speed peeling. After instant high temperature and many fierce impacts, mechanical frictions, it could achieve the multiplication of the number of loose soil, soil physical modification and expansion of the soil nutrients, reservoirs, oxygen, microorganisms （＂Four pools＂）. Fenlong cultivation can give birth to new farming culture and civilization, and it can achieve the physical ＂desalinized＂ transformation and utilization of saline soil. The formation of Fenlong green farming technology system makes it possible to invent the farming tools of ＂serf-propelled Fenlong machinery＂ that has got the patent, and it is the method for farmland （dry land, paddy field） Fenlong cultivation, saline-alkali soil smash-ridging cultivation and for the abundance of grass ecology on degraded grassland. The application of Fenlong ＂4＋1＂ （arable, saline-alkali soil, grasslands, Sponge City＋rivers） green development in China can achieve the ＂double safety＂ of food and living space.展开更多
Agricultural practices are the main stay of the people of Uttranchal. Out of the total population, more than 75% people are engaged either with the main occupation of agriculture or its allied practices, dominated by ...Agricultural practices are the main stay of the people of Uttranchal. Out of the total population, more than 75% people are engaged either with the main occupation of agriculture or its allied practices, dominated by traditional subsistence cereal farming. Among them, the main crops are rice, wheat, millet, barley, all types of pulses, all types of oilseeds and almost all types of fruits. The crops, vegetables and fruits of all varieties are grown in the different climatic zones such as tropical, temperate, and cold because, the region is characterized by the different altitudinal zones elevated from 200 m to more than 8000m. As a result, different climates are found from hot tropical to sub temperate and chilly cold. Pulses varieties are grown extensively. Among vegetables, potato, onion, carrot, all types of green leaf vegetables, brinzal, pumpkin, ladyfinger, pea, gram, radish, ginger, garlic, etc, are grown widely. All fruit varieties are grown in the different altitudinal zones. The main fruits are orange, malta (a big size of orange), elephant citrus, lemon and all other types of citrus, apple, stone fruits including peach and pears, many kinds of nuts, and the fruits which are grown in the low lying areas. In spite of feasible climatic conditions, agricultural dominant society, and availability of all types of crops, the production and productivity of these crops are very low, even they are unable to meet the grain-need of the people in Uttaranchal. Agricultural crops are grown almost in all the altitudinal zones — from the low-lying areas, which are called ‘Gangarh’, to the highly elevated region, where the legendary term is given as ‘Danda’. The growing seasons vary according to the heights. The present paper aims to discuss the agricultural practices including cropping season, cropping pattern, land use, production of crops and ecological aspect of agricultural system in this Himalayan state and suggest some measures for developing farming system, which could lead the sustainability, in terms of meeting the food grain needs of the people on the one hand and restoring the ecological balance on the other.展开更多
The research introduced pollution caused by animal farming on waters,agricultural lands,and atmosphere,as well as environment pollution and economic causes.Furthermore,a series of economic policies were proposed on pr...The research introduced pollution caused by animal farming on waters,agricultural lands,and atmosphere,as well as environment pollution and economic causes.Furthermore,a series of economic policies were proposed on preventing animal farming,such as definition of rights property,economic impetus and circular farming.展开更多
As an important part of the new agricultural business entities, large-scale grain-production households play a significantly positive role in improving the land resource utilization, improving agricultural productivit...As an important part of the new agricultural business entities, large-scale grain-production households play a significantly positive role in improving the land resource utilization, improving agricultural productivity, increasing agricultural output and farmers＂ income, and making a certain contribution to stabilize grain production. This paper analyzed the current situation of large-scale grain-production household in Jiangxi Province, as well as the problems in land transfer, farmland infrastructure, production and management, capital and other risks. At last, the paper proposed targeted countermeasures.展开更多
基金Supported by Jilin Provincial Key Research and Development Project(20230202070NC).
文摘[Objectives]To establish an integrated agro-aquaculture ecological farming model by combining in-pond cage fish farming,water circulation systems,and rice cultivation on bio-floating beds,and compared it with traditional pond farming.[Methods]The research was carried out in 3 test ponds and 3 control ponds.A 6 m×9 m×2.5 m cage was set every 667 m 2 in the test pond,and water circulator and microporous oxygenation equipment were installed.Ecological floating beds were set on both sides of the pond.Common aeration equipment was used for control ponds.The same number and size of crucian carp,and the same number,proportion and size of silver carp and bighead carp were raised in both the test and control groups.Total nitrogen,ammonium nitrogen,total phosphorus and phosphate content was determined every 15 d,and growth indicators and feed conversion ratios of fish were measured at the end of the experiment.[Conclusions]The content of total nitrogen,ammonium nitrogen,total phosphorus and phosphate in the experimental group decreased by 50.69%,69.12%,62.62%and 54.20%,respectively,compared with the control group.Compared with the control group,the harvest size,survival rate and yield per unit area of crucian carp in the experimental group increased by 5.25%,7.58%and 13.28%,respectively,and the feed conversion ratio decreased by 4.72%.[Results]The integrated agro-aquaculture model demonstrated significant advantages in mitigating eutrophication,improving yield,and enhancing feed efficiency.
文摘In this paper Cheng Yanqiu’s personality,manliness and his hobbies are discussed.From the narration of his farming life in the 1940s and his founding of schools his view on life is to be seen.In the latter part of the paper the artistic achievements of his masterpiece“The Lucky Purse”are explored.
基金supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant No.774244(Breeding for resilient,efficient and sustainable organic vegetable productionBRESOV)by‘RGV-FAO'project funded by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture,Food Sovereignty and Forests。
文摘The increasing conversion of agricultural land to organic farming requires the development of specifically adapted cultivars.So far,in tomato there is lack of research for selection of germplasm suitable for sustainable agroecosystems.In this study,we investigated the genotypic and environmental factors affecting the variation of plant,fruits,and root traits in 39 tomato genotypes grown under organic farming conditions.Four independent experiments were conducted in Italy and Spain across two consecutive seasons in 2019 and 2020.For all traits,the factorial linear regression model to estimate the main effects of genotype(G),location(L),year of cultivation(Y)and their interactions,revealed highly significant(P<0.001)variations,with the G factor being largely predominant for most traits.The implementation of the“which-won-where”,“mean performance versus stability”and“discriminative vs representativeness”patterns in the GGE(Genotype plus Genotype by Environment interaction)analysis,allowed the identification of superior cultivars with high stability across the testing environments.Genomic characterization with 30890 high quality SNPs from dd RADseq genotyping analysis,revealed that a specific cluster of cherry tomato accessions were low performing in terms of yield and fruit weight,on the contrary,showed a high content of soluble solids,which in agreement with GGE analysis.Results of this study provide a framework for the potential use of this locally adapted tomato germplasm to address the needs of more sustainable agriculture.
文摘Smallholder farming in West Africa faces various challenges, such as limited access to seeds, fertilizers, modern mechanization, and agricultural climate services. Crop productivity obtained under these conditions varies significantly from one farmer to another, making it challenging to accurately estimate crop production through crop models. This limitation has implications for the reliability of using crop models as agricultural decision-making support tools. To support decision making in agriculture, an approach combining a genetic algorithm (GA) with the crop model AquaCrop is proposed for a location-specific calibration of maize cropping. In this approach, AquaCrop is used to simulate maize crop yield while the GA is used to derive optimal parameters set at grid cell resolution from various combinations of cultivar parameters and crop management in the process of crop and management options calibration. Statistics on pairwise simulated and observed yields indicate that the coefficient of determination varies from 0.20 to 0.65, with a yield deviation ranging from 8% to 36% across Burkina Faso (BF). An analysis of the optimal parameter sets shows that regardless of the climatic zone, a base temperature of 10˚C and an upper temperature of 32˚C is observed in at least 50% of grid cells. The growing season length and the harvest index vary significantly across BF, with the highest values found in the Soudanian zone and the lowest values in the Sahelian zone. Regarding management strategies, the fertility mean rate is approximately 35%, 39%, and 49% for the Sahelian, Soudano-sahelian, and Soudanian zones, respectively. The mean weed cover is around 36%, with the Sahelian and Soudano-sahelian zones showing the highest variability. The proposed approach can be an alternative to the conventional one-size-fits-all approach commonly used for regional crop modeling. Moreover, it has the potential to explore the performance of cropping strategies to adapt to changing climate conditions.
文摘The rapid expansion of tobacco farming poses a significant threat to biodiversity in Yunnan Province,China,a region known for its rich biodiversity.This study aims to understand the trade-offs between tobacco farming and higher plant species diversity,and to identify priority counties for conservation.We employed an integrated approach combining species distribution modeling,GIS overlay analysis,and empirical spatial regression to em pirically assess the impact of tobacco farming intensity on biodiversity risk.Our findings reveal a compelling negative spatial correlation between tobacco farming expansion and higher plant species diversity.Specifically,southern counties in Wenshan and Honghe prefectures are major priority areas of conservation that exhibit signif icant spatial correlations between biodiversity risks and high tobacco farming intensity.Quantitatively,at county level,a 1%increase in tobacco farming area corresponds to a 0.094%decrease in endemic higher plant species richness across the entire province.These results underscore the need for targeted and region-specific regulations to mitigate biodiversity loss and promote sustainable development in Yunnan Province.The integrated approach used in this study provides a comprehensive assessment of the tobacco-biodiversity trade-offs,offering actionable insights for policymaking.
基金the Science and Technology Fellowship Trust, Bangladesh
文摘Agriculture extension and advisory services(AEAS)are integral to smart agricultural systems and play a pivotal role in supporting sustainable agricultural development.The study aimed to assess the role of AEAS in strengthening climate-smart coastal farming system to enhance coastal agricultural sustainability.A mixed-methods study was conducted in the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh in 2023,which involved administering a structured questionnaire and conducing face-to-face interviews with 390 farmers.Perceived role index(PRI)was employed to assess the potential role of AEAS.To forecast the perceived role outcomes,the machine learning model was undertaken by utilizing suitable algorithms.Additionally,feature importance was calculated to underpin the significant factors of perceived role outcomes.The findings showed that coastal farming communities held a comprehensive understanding of the role of AEAS.Key roles included diffusion of agricultural innovations,acting as a bridge between farmers and research organizations,using demonstration techniques to educate farmers,training farmers on food storage,processing,and utilization,and promoting awareness and adoption of best practices.The machine learning model exposed a significant relationship between farmers’socio-economic characteristics and their perception behavior.The results identified that factors like innovativeness,awareness,training exposure,access to AEAS,and access to information significantly influenced how farmers perceived the efficacy of AEAS in promoting a smart coastal farming system.However,farmers confronted multiple constraints in receiving demand-driven services and maintaining coastal farm sustainability.These insights can guide concerned authorities and policy-makers in providing AEAS for the purpose of strengthening climate-smart coastal farming system,particularly with a special focus on capacity building programs and machine learning application.Moreover,the outcomes of this study can assist the authorities of similar coastal systems throughout the world to initiate potential strategies for enhancing region-specific agricultural sustainability.
文摘Intensive farming practices,aimed at maximizing crop yields through substantial inputs of labour,technology,and chemical fertilizers,have significantly transformed modern agriculture.However,these methods have raised serious concerns regarding soil health,environmental sustainability,and long-term agricultural viability.This study examines the ecological impact of intensive farming on soil health in the KB Asifabad District of Telangana,India,where traditional and modern farming techniques coexist.The objectives include analysing socio-economic factors influencing farming methods,evaluating the impact of tilling techniques and fertilizer use on soil health,and promoting sustainable practices through education and policy recommendations.Findings reveal a strong reliance on chemical fertilizers,with 98.3% of farmers using them exclusively due to their perceived efficiency and rapid results.However,this overdependence has led to soil degradation,reduced microbial diversity,and environmental pollution.Conversely,despite its ecological benefits,natural manure remains underutilized due to scepticism and economic constraints.Mechanical tilling methods,while effective,have negatively impacted soil structure and fertility.The study highlights the necessity of transitioning to sustainable practices,integrating organic inputs,and adopting conservation techniques to restore soil health and ecosystem balance.This research provides practical pathways for achieving sustainable agriculture by integrating traditional knowledge with modern practices.It is particularly relevant for policymakers,agricultural extension services,and farming communities as it highlights the need for educational initiatives,financial incentives,and regulatory measures to ensure long-term soil fertility,environmental stewardship,and improved farmer livelihoods.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of Youth Project“Research on the Environmental-economic Synergistic Mechanism and Promotion Strategy of Farming and Breeding Circular Pattern in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China”[Grant No.72303087].
文摘This study uses prefecture-level city statistical data from China from 2000-2022 to measure the supply and demand of livestock manure nitrogen nutrients and calculates farmland livestock carrying capacity using the nitrogen nutrient balance method.We investigate nitrogen supply and demand and livestock carrying capacity in northeast China by comparing emissions from 2000-2022 over the past several decades.The poultry and livestock industry in northeast China has changed significantly over the past two decades:pigs are now the most bred animal and poultry production has increased dramatically.Regional livestock nitrogen emissions are influenced primarily by the size of the local livestock industry chain.Due to regional differences,each region has unique breeding structures.We also predict the anticipated situation in 2050 using the business-as usual scenario.High-risk livestock carrying capacity areas will be concentrated in the northeast and southeast regions,with significantly increased risk indices,compared with those of 2022,particularly in Shenyang,Fushun,and Tieling.Therefore,promoting farming and breeding,improving livestock manure utilization,and returning manure to nearby farmlands are crucial for meeting agricultural green development goals.
基金funded by the European Commission,CINEA Horizon Europe project no.101081307“Towards Sustainable Land-Use in the Context of Climate Change and Biodiversity in Europe(Europe-LAND)”。
文摘Chalet farming,as a specific type of agricultural landscape management,has been established in many European mountain ranges,including the Krkono?e Mountains and the Hruby Jeseník Mountains in Czechia.During the operation of such farming from 16/17th century till 1945,many changes in land use/land cover and landscape at all occurred,which are generally evaluated positively.Turbulent events including political,economic and social changes and the displacement of the German-speaking population associated with them in the mid-20th century rapidly ended this development,causing significant landscape changes,such as the abandonment of agricultural land and succession,afforestation,expansion of the alpine tree line,reduction of diversity.The aim of our study is to evaluate changes of land cover(forests,dwarf pine,grasslands,other areas)from 1936/1946 till 2021,secondary succession and driving forces of change for selected meadow enclaves in the Krkonose Mountains and the Hruby Jeseník Mountains after the decline of mountain chalet farming since the middle of 20th century.We used remote sensing methods(aerial imagery)and field research(dendrochronology and comparative photography)to detect the land use/land cover changes in the selected study areas in the Krkono?e Mountains and the Hruby Jeseník Mountains.We documented the process of the succession,which occurred almost immediately after the end of farming,peaking about 10–20 years later,with an earlier start in the Hruby Jeseník Mountains.The succession led to the significant change of land use/land cover and these processes were similar in both mountain ranges.The largest changes were a decrease in grasslands by 62%–64%and an increase in forest area by 33%–40%for both study areas.The abandonment of land is the main consequence of a crucial political driving forces(displacement of German-speaking population)in the Krkono?e Mountains and the Hruby Jeseník Mountains.
基金This work was conducted in the frame of the accompanying research on strategies for improving farmer families’incomes and sustainable cocoa production funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development(BMZ).
文摘About 44%of the world’s cocoa is produced in one single country,Côte d’Ivoire.Providing this important raw material,most Ivorian cocoa farmers live in severe poverty,which,despite a multitude of sector interventions,is still widespread,affecting social and environmental sustainability in cocoa production.In this context,cocoa farmers are still often treated as a homogeneous group of small-scale producers(mainly males),resulting in interventions being conceptualized as one-size-fits-all approaches and failing to deliver support schemes that take farmers’specific conditions appropriately into account.Applying a broader typology approach that combines farm characteristics with farmers’characteristics,this study aims to delineate Ivorian cocoa farmers and their farms into specific types in order to improve advice for targeted sustainability interventions and living income(LI)potentials.Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis of a household dataset collected in 2022 in five cocoa-growing regions of Côte d’Ivoire were chosen to identify types of male-headed farms.To assure gender sensitive analysis,a female-headed farm type was created artificially.The specific characteristics of the identified types were captured using descriptive analysis.Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were then applied to examine the relationships between these farm types and various outcomes.Additionally,a binary logistic model was used to estimate the probability of these links in relation to variables relevant for achieving a LI.Finally,Spearman non-parametric correlation was used to identify eventual differences in the strength of relationships between key variables per farm type.Three different types of male-headed farms are identified:type 1(the most productive and diversified farms with larger size),type 2(middle-sized farms with strong focus on cash crops),and type 3(small-sized farms with a good level of diversification for self-consumption).The artificially created type 4 represents female-headed farms with the smallest size.On average,none of these farm types achieves a LI.However,type 1 shows the smallest LI gap,while type 4 is by far the worst.Our analyses reveal underlying socio-economic factors systematically disadvantaging female-headed cocoa farms,most notably limited access to land and other material assets.The key contribution of this study lies in the empirical identification of the different characteristics of farms in a given farming system,thereby identifying the need for targeted support interventions.Type-specific recommendations are made,showing pathways to provide tailored programs to farmers of different types in order to reduce their LI gaps.
基金The authors wish to acknowledge the Ministry of Higher Education,Malaysia for financial support via the Transdisciplinary Research Grant Scheme Project(Grant No.TRGS/1/2020/UPM/02/7).
文摘Rice has a huge impact on socio-economic growth,and ensuring its sustainability and optimal utilization is vital.This review provides an insight into the role of smart farming in enhancing rice productivity.The applications of smart farming in rice production including yield estimation,smart irrigation systems,monitoring disease and growth,and predicting rice quality and classifications are highlighted.The challenges of smart farming in sustainable rice production to enhance the understanding of researchers,policymakers,and stakeholders are discussed.Numerous efforts have been exerted to combat the issues in rice production in order to promote rice sector development.The effective implementation of smart farming in rice production has been facilitated by various technical advancements,particularly the integration of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.The future prospects of smart farming in transforming existing rice production practices are also elucidated.Through the utilization of smart farming,the rice industry can attain sustainable and resilient production systems that could mitigate environmental impact and safeguard food security.Thus,the rice industry holds a bright future in transforming current rice production practices into a new outlook in rice smart farming development.
基金Under the auspices of National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFD1500100)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA28100400)。
文摘Contour farming technology plays a key role in reducing soil erosion,enhancing water use efficiency,and fostering sustain-able agricultural development,Despite being a straightforward yet efficacious farming technique,it has not seen widespread implement-ation in China.Considering the deteriorating quality of arable lands in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China(BSR-NEC),it is ne-cessary to investigate spatial patterns and identify suitable areas for contour farming in this region.To achieve this objective,spatial autocorrelation and grouping analysis methods were employed to classify the land into four categories of suitability for contour farming:highly suitable,moderately suitable,generally suitable,and unsuitable.The results reveal that:1)the contour farming suitable area in BSR-NEC covers 89861.32 km^(2),accounting for 21.59%of arable land as of 2020.Heilongjiang Province owns the largest suitable area of 32853.68 km^(2),and Inner Mongolia has the highest proportion of 28.89%.2)In terms of the spatial distribution,regions with higher suitability for contour farming are concentrated in the Da Hinggan Mountains region,particularly Nenjiang City(Heilongjiang Province),which has the highest area of 2593.07 km^(2).Areas with a high proportion of suitable arable lands for contour farming are mainly found in the Da Hinggan Mountains and Changbai Mountains regions,with Ergun City(Inner Mongolia)having the highest pro-portion at 47.2%.Regions with higher suitability and proportion are concentrated in the Da Hinggan Mountains region,primarily cover-ing the Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang.3)Regarding spatial clustering,both the area and proportion of suitable contour farming areas exhibit noticeable clustering effects,though not entirely consistent.4)Group analysis results designate 148 counties in BSR-NEC as highly suitable areas,predominantly located in the Changbai Mountains region,Liaodong Peninsula,Hulun Buir Plateau,and the north and south regions of the Da Hinggan Mountains.The zoning of suitable areas for contour farming in BSR-NEC informs the strategic de-velopment of policies and measures,allowing for the implementation of targeted policies in distinct areas suitable for contour farming.This provides a valuable reference for promoting contour farming technology more effectively and efficiently.re effectively and effi-ciently.
文摘The impact of WorldWar II on the physical landscape of British towns and cities as a result of airborne assault is well known.However,less newsworthy but arguably no less significant is the impact of the war on agriculture and the countryside,especially in South-East England.This paper outlines the building of an historical Geographical Information System(GIS)from different data sources including the National Farm Survey(NFS),Luftwaffe and Royal Air Force(RAF)aerial photographs and basic topographic mapping for the South Downs in East and West Sussex.It explores the impact and legacy ofWorldWar II on the agricultural landscape of this area through both the‘plough-up’campaigns aimed at increasing agricultural production and the occupation of farm land for military training purposes.Farms surrounding an area where extensive tracts of land were taken over for military training and defensive purposes on the Downs close to Brighton and the county town of Lewes in East Sussex are the focus of attention illuminating the beneficial and disruptive impacts of the government’s drive to increase food output by bringing land into more productive use by means of a‘plough-up’campaign and using formerly agricultural land for military training.These changes contributed to the transformation of the region into“an arable monoculture”and the virtual disappearance of traditional sheep rearing in the post-war decades.
文摘Elevation is one of many components that influence agriculture, and this in turn affects the level of both inputs and outputs of farmers. This article focuses on the productivity and technical efficiency of 100 cocoa farms using cross-sectional data from areas ranging from 190 to 1021 m above sea level which were classified as low, medium, and high elevation in Davao City, considered as the chocolate capital of the Philippines. Using stochastic frontier analysis, the results showed that the cost of inputs per ha and the number of cocoa trees per ha significantly increase yield. Farms at high elevations were less technically efficient, as this entails lower temperatures and increased rainfall, and cocoa farming in those areas and conditions can be more challenging, especially with changes in farming practices, terrain, and distance to markets. Other significant variables were age of cocoa farms, married farmers, and age of the farmers. Older farms may be more developed, farmers who are married benefit from their spouses being able to readily contribute as farm labor, and lastly, older farmers' inefficiency may likely stem from nonadaptation of newer farming practices. With an average technical efficiency of 0.61, 0.63, and 0.26 in low, medium, and high elevation areas, respectively, farmers therefore have an incentive to improve farm practices and consider topographical variations found in high elevation areas. Recommendations for the improvement of technical efficiency of cocoa farms are better connectivity to markets, enhancing farm practices, and continuation and improvement of government programs on cocoa with an added emphasis on research. For farmers in high elevation areas, mitigating solutions such as sustainable agriculture practices and ecolabelling are key to improving efficiency and minimizing the potential negative impact on upland farming systems. Moreover, such adaptation measures may also contribute to sustainability of cocoa farming in high elevation areas.
基金Supported by the National Key Technology R&D Program of China(2014BAD06B05)the Major Project of Science and Technology of Guangxi(2017AA22015)~~
文摘The basic theory and effect of the new farming method of ＂Fenlong＂ cultivation which has been included in the main extension technology of Ministry of Agriculture of the People＇s Republic of China is fully illustrated for the first time, and it is the fourth set （generation） of farming modes and methods following manpower, animal and mechanical （tractor） farming. It follows the natural law to achieve soil activation, water saving, oxygen increase, warming and desalination through the active use of natural resources like soil, rainfall and solar energy, thereby promoting a new round of natural agricultural production and quality improvement and water con- servation, which has crop yield increase by 10%-30%, quality improvement of 5%, natural precipitation retaining increase by100%. The characteristics and mechanism are the use of spiral drill for one-time completion of the land preparation by drilling vertically to 30-50 cm of soil layer through high speed peeling. After instant high temperature and many fierce impacts, mechanical frictions, it could achieve the multiplication of the number of loose soil, soil physical modification and expansion of the soil nutrients, reservoirs, oxygen, microorganisms （＂Four pools＂）. Fenlong cultivation can give birth to new farming culture and civilization, and it can achieve the physical ＂desalinized＂ transformation and utilization of saline soil. The formation of Fenlong green farming technology system makes it possible to invent the farming tools of ＂serf-propelled Fenlong machinery＂ that has got the patent, and it is the method for farmland （dry land, paddy field） Fenlong cultivation, saline-alkali soil smash-ridging cultivation and for the abundance of grass ecology on degraded grassland. The application of Fenlong ＂4＋1＂ （arable, saline-alkali soil, grasslands, Sponge City＋rivers） green development in China can achieve the ＂double safety＂ of food and living space.
文摘Agricultural practices are the main stay of the people of Uttranchal. Out of the total population, more than 75% people are engaged either with the main occupation of agriculture or its allied practices, dominated by traditional subsistence cereal farming. Among them, the main crops are rice, wheat, millet, barley, all types of pulses, all types of oilseeds and almost all types of fruits. The crops, vegetables and fruits of all varieties are grown in the different climatic zones such as tropical, temperate, and cold because, the region is characterized by the different altitudinal zones elevated from 200 m to more than 8000m. As a result, different climates are found from hot tropical to sub temperate and chilly cold. Pulses varieties are grown extensively. Among vegetables, potato, onion, carrot, all types of green leaf vegetables, brinzal, pumpkin, ladyfinger, pea, gram, radish, ginger, garlic, etc, are grown widely. All fruit varieties are grown in the different altitudinal zones. The main fruits are orange, malta (a big size of orange), elephant citrus, lemon and all other types of citrus, apple, stone fruits including peach and pears, many kinds of nuts, and the fruits which are grown in the low lying areas. In spite of feasible climatic conditions, agricultural dominant society, and availability of all types of crops, the production and productivity of these crops are very low, even they are unable to meet the grain-need of the people in Uttaranchal. Agricultural crops are grown almost in all the altitudinal zones — from the low-lying areas, which are called ‘Gangarh’, to the highly elevated region, where the legendary term is given as ‘Danda’. The growing seasons vary according to the heights. The present paper aims to discuss the agricultural practices including cropping season, cropping pattern, land use, production of crops and ecological aspect of agricultural system in this Himalayan state and suggest some measures for developing farming system, which could lead the sustainability, in terms of meeting the food grain needs of the people on the one hand and restoring the ecological balance on the other.
基金Supported by National Key Technology R&D Program(No.2012BAD15B03)China CDM Fund(1213054)~~
文摘The research introduced pollution caused by animal farming on waters,agricultural lands,and atmosphere,as well as environment pollution and economic causes.Furthermore,a series of economic policies were proposed on preventing animal farming,such as definition of rights property,economic impetus and circular farming.
文摘As an important part of the new agricultural business entities, large-scale grain-production households play a significantly positive role in improving the land resource utilization, improving agricultural productivity, increasing agricultural output and farmers＂ income, and making a certain contribution to stabilize grain production. This paper analyzed the current situation of large-scale grain-production household in Jiangxi Province, as well as the problems in land transfer, farmland infrastructure, production and management, capital and other risks. At last, the paper proposed targeted countermeasures.
