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Agricultural researchers widely recognise the importance of sustainable agricultural production systems and the need to develop appropriate methods to measure sustainability. The principal purpose of this paper is to evaluate the financial and environmental aspects of sustainability of Organic, Integrated and Conventional Farming Systems (OFS, IFS,...
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Agricultural development and improvement plays a major role in the overall economic development of Iran. The contribution from the agricultural sector towards the gross national product and supply of food and fiber is substantial. About 51 percent of Iran's 165 million hectares (ha) are made up of mountains, lakes, desert lands and towns, 11 percen...
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... The economic profitability of leafy onion and African eggplant under the neem seed powder aqueous extract treatment compared to conventional pest management practices showed that there is a difference between gross and net margins with the highest margins resulting from organic production (using neem extract). Pacini et al. (2003) showed that when comparing biological, integrated, and conventional systems in different agro-ecosystems in Italy, the biological systems have the highest gross margins compared to the other two systems. This is explained by the fact that organic crops are generally sold at higher prices than conventionally grown products. ...
Leafy onion and African eggplant are two profitable crops whose yields are negatively impacted by insect pests, vectors and diseases. This study was undertaken to compare the agronomic efficacy and economic profitability of neem seed extract to the conventional vegetable crop in Louda village. A randomised complete block design with three replications including one treatment of Neem seed grain powder aqueous extract (TB); treatment of chemical pesticide of industrial synthesis (TP); and control treatment, without any phytosanitary treatment (TA) was implemented with farmers. The results showed that neem seed extracts had comparable effects to chemical pesticides in pest control. Indeed, compared to the TA treatment, the TP and TB treatments significantly reduced the number of perforated plants of Leafy onion and African eggplant. The number of diseased plants of African eggplant was significantly reduced by-239% under TB treatment compared to TA. The best yields were recorded with the TB and World News of Natural Sciences 48 (2023) 14-27-15-TP treatments significantly increases of 33 and 44% on leafy onion and 57 and 56% on African eggplant respectively compared to the TA treatment. Economically, the results showed that gross margins from production and marketing of leafy onion under TB and TP were 63% and 17% higher respectively; net margins 91% and 76%; and average labour productivity 91% and 80% higher than under TA. These results show that the use of biopesticides in leafy onion and African eggplant crops was relatively equal to and many times more agronomically and economically effective than industrial pesticide treatment. Thus, better pest management by vegetable growers and the production of healthy produce can be achieved by adopting organic production and by training garden farmers in the manufacture and use of biopesticides.
... jęciu lokalnym, regionalnym, krajowym czy też międzynarodowym. Stosując kryterium zakresu analizy można wyróżnić natomiast wskaźniki o charakterze makro, mezo i mikroekonomicznym. Wymiar makro dotyczy całych systemów gospodarczych, wymiar mezo może odnosić się do analiz sektorowych, a wymiar mikro do analizy poszczególnych jednostek gospodarczych. Pacini i in. (2003) zwracają uwagę, że istotnym kryterium wyodrębnienia wskaźników trwałości jest też ich przeznaczenie. Można tu wymienić wskaźniki przeznaczone dla naukowców, dla praktyków (np. dla rolników) oraz dla decydentów politycznych (rysunek 8). Wskaźniki dla decydentów politycznych mają najbardziej syntetyczny charakter, podczas gdy wskaźniki dl ...
... arunkowań, istniejących ograniczeń i stawianych celów (Pretty 2008;Tuomisto i in. 2012). Istotne przy tym jest, aby uwzględnić wszystkie trzy podstawowe wymiary Trwałego Rozwoju. Tym samym współczesna debata naukowa na temat Trwałego Rolnictwa koncentruje się m. in. na rozpoznaniu praktyk rolniczych, które są zgodne z paradygmatem Trwałego Rozwoju (Pacini i in. 2003;Velten i in. 2015;Majewski 2008;Wrzaszcz 2013). Można przyjąć, że naczelną zasadą w tym procesie powinna być zasada ekoefektywności, która w ujęciu praktycznym pomaga realizować ekonomiczne, środowiskowe i społeczne wyzwania "Trwałego Rozwoju" (co bardziej szczegółowo opisane zostało w dalszych fragmentach opracowania). ...
... It can be examined with regard to resource efficiency, the carbon footprint (Lal 2004), cost efficiency or yield per hectare (Kudaligama and Yanagida 2000). It can also concern the energy efficiency (Toll 2013) as well as the degree of sustainability of individual companies (Pacini et al. 2003). The problem, however, is that most of the considerations require clear local and time limits. ...
Research has long been concerned with the investigation and optimization of agricultural processes. Still, there is potential to make processes more resource-efficient. An important step in exploiting this potential is to examine whether differences in efficiency within a company are due to natural reasons such as soil properties or other reasons such as vehicle control. In this work a possible procedure for such an investigation is presented. For this purpose, recorded machine data from the project "BiDaLAP" is combined with various open databases. With that, efficiency parameters can be quantified. A large part of the natural causes for efficiency differences can be identified by the databases. It can also be shown which operational parameters still have optimization potential and how big the efficiency differences really are.
... En experiencias recientes se ha resaltado la importancia de la evaluación retrospectiva, la reevaluación y la planeación prospectiva (Rigby y Cáceres, 2001), la importancia de la escala de evaluación (Ronchi et al., 2002;Lovell et al., 2002) y la integración de indicadores en diversas escalas (López-Ridaura, 2005). Se ha enfatizado la relevancia de aclarar la Espacio del Divulgador finalidad teórica o metodológica de la evaluación (Pacini et al., 2002) y la integralidad de la ES (Bond et al., 2001). Específicamente Spangenberg (2002) señala la necesidad de definir objetivos políticos a diferentes niveles que contribuyan a establecer la sustentabilidad. ...
Se analiza la evolución del concepto de sustentabilidad Al final del milenio pasado, el término sustentabilidad se convirtió en un principio guía del desarrollo humano. Para ofrecer una interpretación útil del principio de desarrollo sustentable el proyecto suizo Monitoreo de Desarrollo Susten-table (Monet) (SCECE et al., 2001: 3) modificó la definición dada en el informe de la Comisión Brundtland, en la cual aclara que "el desarrollo sustentable significa asegurar condiciones de vida dignas con derechos humanos, bajo el respeto por crear y mantener en lo posible las opciones para definir libremente los planes de vida. El principio de la imparcialidad entre las generaciones presentes y futuras debe ser considerado en el uso de recursos ambientales, económicos y sociales". Resumen. Se analiza la evolución del concepto de sustentabilidad, se diferencian los avances metodológicos y se discuten los retos futuros en su evaluación. Se plantean epistemológicas sobre la teoría de sustentabilidad y se concluye que es inevitable que sus evaluaciones sean socialmente construidas y tengan un valor subjetivo, ya que implica modelos múltiples en disciplinas, atributos, escalas y criterios, unificados bajo un ciclo de aprendizaje. Si se desea que la sustentabi-lidad tenga un valor predictivo, su caracterización debe ser estocástica y que las predicciones se realicen con una base probabilística. Conceptualmente el reciente principio de evolucionabilidad debe convertirse en un enfoque líder en política económica y social. Abstract. The aim of this paper is to analyze the evolution of the concept of sustainability, to differentiate the methodological breakthrough and to discuss the future challenges for its evaluation. The epistemological perspectives about the sustainability theory are explored and it is concluded that it is inevitable for sustainability evaluations to be socially constructed and have a subjective value, due to the fact that sustainability evaluation implies multiple models about disciplines, attributes, scales and criterions, unified under a learning cycle. If it is desired for sustainability to have a predictive value, its characterization should be stochastic and the predictions should have a probabilistic base. Conceptually, the recently emerged principle of evolutionability should convert into a leader approach in economic and social politics.
... From an economic point of view, as the value of OLCI increases, net margin per cow increases (Fig. 7), as also reported by Pacini et al. (2003) for organic crop systems. Similarly, in the present study greater energy efficiency led to a greater economic efficiency (Fig. 8). ...
... Both organic and conservation systems have potential for integration of perennial grains. Market variations, volatile prices and production costs due to input use are endangering the profitability of a large set of farming systems, especially conventional systems using high inputs, since the calculation of their gross margins over years could suffer from chronic reductions (Pacini et al., 2003;Pimentel et al., 2005). Valuing ecosystem services and harvesting both grain and forage from perennial grain systems enhances the economic outlook for these new systems. ...
Western European agriculture is largely defined by the high level of productivity of its cereal grain production. Such productivity is largely a result of farm specialization and intensification. This approach however has led to environmental problems and farm sensitivity to climatic and economic hazards. Recently, perennial grains have been promoted as a potential alternative, particularly with intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium). Perennial grains bring new perspectives and innovation, and can contribute to both system diversification and environmental performance. Above all, the value of year-round ground cover and root activity, as well as the ability to harvest both grain and forage production, offers a large range of interest and potential application for such a grain crop. Realization of the potential benefits from perennial grains depends on the development of suitable seed material and the identification of tangible economic and environmental benefits coming from the integration of perennial grains into crop rotations. Although more work is needed, perennial grains are compatible with the current European interests and policies for food security, soil health, water quality, and farmer interest in innovative practices and sustainable cropping systems.
... From an economic point of view, as the value of OLCI increases, net margin per cow increases (Fig. 7), as also reported by Pacini et al. (2003) for organic crop systems. Similarly, in the present study greater energy efficiency led to a greater economic efficiency (Fig. 8). ...
This study characterizes technical and economic aspects of conventional dual-purpose (milk and meat) cattle raising in the humid tropics of Chiapas, Mexico and evaluates the potential for converting these farms to organic-or clean-production. An organic livestock raising conversion index with 10 indicators and 37 variables was used. Data was obtained through direct observation and a questionnaire applied to 50 farmers. Through a Cluster analysis (C), we classified Livestock Production Units (LPU) into three groups (p<0.05). The highest values (p<0.05) for the technical-economic indicators as well as ICOGAN were found for the LPU of C3, followed by those of C2 and finally, C1. All LPU evaluated scored very low for the indicators "veterinary prevention and care" and "ecological farm management". The LPU of all three C scored high for the indicators "breeds and reproduction" and "soil fertilization". In order for the LPU to increase their levels of sustainability and be certified organic, there is a need to strengthen farmer's abilities in techniques of ecological production and management through technical advisory and assistance as well as permanent financial support. Furthermore, there is a need for all social actors involved to have a sense of co-responsibility for and be committed to the organic conversion process as well as a need for significant changes in state and federal cattle raising policies.
... The notion of sustainability is closely linked to the notion of assessment which involves the development of several global and multicriterial approaches (Bachev 2005). Moreover, agricultural researchers widely recognize the need to develop appropriate methods to assess the sustainability of agricultural production systems (Pacini et al. 2003). However, there are not many tools available to facilitate assessment yet (Verbruggen and Kuik 1991). ...
Over the last few years, intensive agriculture has often been denounced as a source of negative effects, particularly at the environmental and health level (overexploitation of natural resources, degradation of their quality, appearance and development of several diseases, etc.). Reducing the excessive use of agricultural inputs for the protection of the environment and the preservation of human and animal health is a social requirement nowadays. Investing in more sustainable agricultural models which make it possible to reduce, or even eliminate the risks, has become urgent. A possible solution may be to resort to agroecological systems. In order to be sustainable, these new systems must be performant at the agronomic, economic, social, and environmental levels. There is a multitude of tools for assessing the sustainability of agricultural systems. These tools are inappropriate for organic and agroecological systems, and do not make it possible to measure the agroecological transition performance of farms (Trabelsi et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23:139–156, 2016; Trabelsi 2017). This research project aims to design a decision support tool in order to help farms throughout the agroecological transition process, to assess the performance of this transition, and to put forward improvement scenarios. Contrary to other assessment methods, ESSIMAGE (Evaluation and Simulation of Agroecological Systems) is based on both pressure and impact indicators, and takes the specificities of agricultural production systems into account. It is a dynamic tool which not only makes it possible to assess farm performance at the present moment but also to consider the future by putting forward possible alternative improvement scenarios and by simulating their consequences at a later stage. ESSIMAGE is based on the interaction of two elements: agro-environmental, social, and economic indicators, and the GIS (Geographic Information System) software. This tool has been tested as part of a CASDAR “Post-MAET Gimone” (
agriculture.gouv.fr/ministere/mobilisation-collective-pour-lagroecologie.
) project on the subject of “Collective mobilization for agroecology” by using farm data, most of the farms having been involved in an agro-environmental measure for the progressive reduction of phytosanitary treatments since 2008. It has made it possible to compare the agroecological performances of these farms with an optimal situation, as well as with each other. Considering the research objectives and the approaches discussed, this study is an original step in the development of agricultural management strategies in favor of agroecology.
... Those management practices provide improvement of soil properties, more effective control of pests and weeds, and, as a result, higher yields. Pacini et al. (2003) [44] found that organic farming system was more sustainable than integrated and conventional system due to generally lower nitrogen losses, risk from plant protection products, and higher biodiversity in organic farming system. Rasul and Thapa (2004) [45] stated that some indicators of sustainability (crop diversification, soil fertility management, pests and diseases management, and use of plant protection products) differed significantly between organic and conventional farming systems, but others are on the same level in those two farming systems. ...
... Those management practices provide improvement of soil properties, more effective control of pests and weeds, and, as a result, higher yields. Pacini et al. (2003) [44] found that organic farming system was more sustainable than integrated and conventional system due to generally lower nitrogen losses, risk from plant protection products, and higher biodiversity in organic farming system. Rasul and Thapa (2004) [45] stated that some indicators of sustainability (crop diversification, soil fertility management, pests and diseases management, and use of plant protection products) differed significantly between organic and conventional farming systems, but others are on the same level in those two farming systems. ...
The aim of this study was to examine the sustainability performance of organic and low-input conventional farms with the sustainability assessment tool—RISE 3.0. It is an indicator-based method for holistic assessment of sustainability of agricultural production at farm level. Ten organic and 10 conventional farms from eastern Poland, Lublin province were assessed. According to the thresholds levels of the RISE method, organic farms performed positively for 7 out of 10 themes, while the values of the other 3 topics, biodiversity, working conditions, and economic viability, were at medium level. Conventional farms reached positive scores for 9 out of 10 themes. The only middle-performing theme was biodiversity. None of the two farm types had the lowest, problematic scores for examined themes. For the theme biodiversity and two indicators (greenhouse gas balance and intensity of agricultural production), significant differences between farming systems were found. Biodiversity performance, an important indicator of sustainability, estimated with the RISE system, was highly correlated with measured on-field weed flora and Orthoptera biodiversity of farms. High soil acidity and low crop productivity, improper weed regulation, and energy management were the most common problems in both types of farms. Working hours and wage and income levels were also assessed as being low. Recommendations to improve the sustainability of both organic and conventional farms are presented.
... In this context, for the analysis of environmental sustainability, it becomes essential to investigate the relationship between production processes and natural resources, for example, water, energy, waste, CO 2 emissions, nutrients surplus, and environmental risk of pesticides (Lazzerini 2001;Pacini et al. 2003). ...
... water consumption, waste pro- duction, global energy requirement). A more comprehensive assessment of farm environmental sustainability must rely on the analysis of more environmental aspects, for instance, by integrating different environ- mental indicators Girardin 2003, Cerutti et al. 2011;Pacini et al. 2003). ...
Ornamental plant production exerts considerable impacts on the surrounding environment. To assess the environmental sustainability within this sector, a set of impact indicators, which refer to specific management issues in environmental terms, was selected. By comparing the indicators with sustainable thresholds, we assessed the environmental sustainability of a pool of nurseries growing plants in container production (CP) and in open field production (FP) located in the Pistoia Nursery District of the Tuscany Region. Because of their peculiar production structure, the CP nurseries impacted the environment more than the FP nurseries, and hence need more improvements to reach the minimum level of environmental sustainability.
