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11 pages, 457 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conventionalization of Alternative Agriculture and the Intervention of External Investors: Case Sharing Community-Supported Agriculture Farm, China

by Meiling Wu

Sustainability 2024, 16(12), 5088; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16125088 - 14 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1085

Abstract

The trend of alternative farmers adopting conventional farming methods, known as conventionalization, has become increasingly prevalent. External investment can be a catalyst for the conventionalization of alternative agriculture. The study seeks to examine the dynamics through which external investment and investors facilitate the [...] Read more.

The trend of alternative farmers adopting conventional farming methods, known as conventionalization, has become increasingly prevalent. External investment can be a catalyst for the conventionalization of alternative agriculture. The study seeks to examine the dynamics through which external investment and investors facilitate the conventionalization of alternative agriculture. A study was conducted on a Sharing Community Supported-Agriculture (CSA) Farm, with data being gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic methods. The findings indicated that (1) the low economic sustainability of Sharing CSA Farm leads to an influx of external investment; (2) external investors compel the farm manager to relax adherence to the ecological values and principles of organic agriculture and shift towards specialized and intensive farming in order to make the farms profitable; (3) a new business model for Sharing CSA Farm is adopted to further support the conventionalization. This study can provide new implications for improving the economic sustainability of alternative agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in Southeast Asia and China)

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30 pages, 174885 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conservation, Livelihoods, and Agrifood Systems in Papua and Jambi, Indonesia: A Case for Diverse Economies

by Angga Dwiartama, Zulfikar Ali Akbar, Rhino Ariefiansyah, Hendra Kurniawan Maury and Sari Ramadhan

Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 1996; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051996 - 28 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2464

Abstract

Community-based conservation in Indonesia is seamlessly intertwined with rural livelihoods and agriculture and food (agrifood) systems. In bridging conservation and livelihood, the state often imposes market-based mechanisms and value chain linkages onto smallholder farmers, which disparages other forms of livelihood strategies and modes [...] Read more.

Community-based conservation in Indonesia is seamlessly intertwined with rural livelihoods and agriculture and food (agrifood) systems. In bridging conservation and livelihood, the state often imposes market-based mechanisms and value chain linkages onto smallholder farmers, which disparages other forms of livelihood strategies and modes of production. This paper, therefore, aims to document the diverse economies within forest-dependent communities that enable them to autonomously build a sustainable livelihood and contribute to conservation. We used Gibson-Graham’s diverse economies approach as a framework to understand the ways in which the diversity of economic means (subsistence, market-based, alternative) goes beyond a mere livelihood strategy, but also acts as a basis for a more democratic and inclusive conservation practice. To capture these livelihood stories, we employed participatory rural appraisal (PRA), in-depth semi-structured interviews with 89 key informants (including smallholder farmers, household members, community leaders, village officials, elders, and youths), and visual ethnographic approaches in six villages adjacent to forest areas in two provinces in Indonesia (Jambi and Papua). We conclude by emphasizing how the diverse economies approach helps in understanding the ways in which the local communities seamlessly move beyond various agrifood systems and modes of economies, while making the case that what emerges from this space of possibilities is an ethics, and politics, of care toward forest conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in Southeast Asia and China)

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17 pages, 674 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Impact of External Shocks on the Resilience of China’s Grain Supply Chain

by Tao Zheng, Guiqian Zhao and Siwei Chu

Sustainability 2024, 16(3), 956; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16030956 - 23 Jan 2024

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3231

Abstract

Grain supply is the lifeblood of a country, and the stability of the supply chain is a crucial prerequisite for ensuring national grain security. This paper draws on the definition of resilience in physics and economics. It takes supply chain fracture resilience, impact [...] Read more.

Grain supply is the lifeblood of a country, and the stability of the supply chain is a crucial prerequisite for ensuring national grain security. This paper draws on the definition of resilience in physics and economics. It takes supply chain fracture resilience, impact resilience, and synergy resilience as the secondary indicators. It constructs a comprehensive evaluation indicator system of the grain supply chain resilience, measures the resilience indicator of China’s grain supply chain from 1996 to 2021, and analyzes the role of supply, cost, exchange rate, and other external shocks in influencing the resilience of China’s grain supply chain on this basis. The study found that the overall level of China’s total grain supply chain resilience has been growing year by year and can be divided into three stages: low-level stabilization stage, continuous growth stage, and high-level stabilization stage. Grain supply chain fracture resilience has been growing steadily, grain supply chain impact resilience fluctuation is more obvious, and grain supply chain synergy resilience has been changing more gently. In the inquiry of the impact of external shocks on the resilience of China’s grain supply chain, it was found that world grain exports and the RMB exchange rate have a significant positive impact on China’s grain supply chain resilience level, while the international oil price has a significant negative impact. Based on this, the paper puts forward suggestions for ensuring stable production and supply in the grain market, improving the structure of foreign trade in grain, and actively coping with international commodity price shocks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in Southeast Asia and China)

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19 pages, 1090 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of the Digital Economy on Food System Resilience: Insights from a Study across 190 Chinese Towns

by Haifeng Wang, Guangsi Li and Yunzhi Hu

Sustainability 2023, 15(24), 16898; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416898 - 15 Dec 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2345

Abstract

This study explores the impact of the digital economy on the resilience of the food system, employing data from 190 towns in China and a difference-in-differences (DID) model. The results indicate that, between 2011 and 2020, the progress of the digital economy was [...] Read more.

This study explores the impact of the digital economy on the resilience of the food system, employing data from 190 towns in China and a difference-in-differences (DID) model. The results indicate that, between 2011 and 2020, the progress of the digital economy was instrumental in driving continuous improvements in the food system’s resilience in China. This conclusion stands firm after accounting for endogenous issues and conducting comprehensive robustness tests. According to a mechanism test, the digital economy can impact the resilience of the food system through three avenues: digital technology, digital finance, and human capital. Further research indicates that the influence of the digital economy on the resilience of the food system varies across regions and different food functional zones. These findings offer fresh insights and empirical evidence into the linkages between the digital economy and food system resilience. Such insights may bolster the food system’s resilience in developing countries and promote sustainable food development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in Southeast Asia and China)

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21 pages, 1170 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Bioplastics from Cassava toward the Sustainability of Cassava Value Chain in Thailand

by Apichaya Lilavanichakul and Rangrong Yoksan

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14713; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014713 - 10 Oct 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 14536

Abstract

Population growth and urbanization in Thailand has generated negative environmental externalities and the underuse of agricultural materials. Plastics from cassava present an alternative that helps reduce the use of non-biodegradable petroleum-based plastics and can reshape a sustainable cassava value chain. The objectives of [...] Read more.

Population growth and urbanization in Thailand has generated negative environmental externalities and the underuse of agricultural materials. Plastics from cassava present an alternative that helps reduce the use of non-biodegradable petroleum-based plastics and can reshape a sustainable cassava value chain. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the cassava value chain, consumer acceptance, and the opportunities and challenges for developing bioplastics from cassava in Thailand. We analyze the value added to different applications of cassava products and investigate the consumer acceptance of bioplastic from cassava using a two-step cluster analysis. From an economic perspective, bioplastics based on cassava add a value of 14.8–22 times that of cassava roots. We conducted a survey of 915 respondents and found that consumer acceptance of bioplastic products from cassava accounts for 48.6% of all respondents, but few are willing to pay extra for them. We also found that the development of cassava-based bioplastic not only positively contributes to economic aspects but also generates beneficial long-term impacts on social and environmental aspects. Considering cassava supply, bioplastic production, and potential consumer acceptance, the development of bioplastics from cassava in Thailand faces several barriers and is growing slowly, but is needed to drive the sustainable cassava value chain. This study provides guidelines for businesses and the government to adopt bioplastics from cassava. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in Southeast Asia and China)

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16 pages, 252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adaptability of Maize Farmers to Drought and the Selection of Irrigation Period—A Survey of Irrigation Behavior of Farmers in the Three Provinces of Huang-Huai-Hai, China

by Wenjia Hou and Shudong Zhou

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11759; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511759 - 30 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1470

Abstract

The summer maize area of Huang-Huai-Hai is the main summer maize production area in China, droughts occur frequently during the growth period of summer maize and irrigation water resources are scarce in this region. This paper studied the adaptability of maize farmers to [...] Read more.

The summer maize area of Huang-Huai-Hai is the main summer maize production area in China, droughts occur frequently during the growth period of summer maize and irrigation water resources are scarce in this region. This paper studied the adaptability of maize farmers to drought and the selection of irrigation period in the three provinces of Huang-Huai-Hai. The adaptability index of irrigation at different growth stages was analyzed by establishing an extended C-D production function model, while the marginal income of irrigation in each growth period was calculated based on the estimation results of adaptability index model. The results showed that: (1) The growth period with the largest adaptability index in the three provinces of Huang-Huai-Hai was milk ripening stage. The adaptability index in milk ripening stage in Hebei, Henan, and Shandong was 1.063, 1.081, and 1.053, respectively. (2) The maize key growth periods of water sensitivity in the three provinces of Huang-Huai-Hai were tasseling period and milk ripening period, and in most cases, the irrigation period of farmers was consistent with the key growth period of water sensitivity. (3) In Hebei, Henan, and Shandong provinces, the marginal benefits of irrigation were greater than the marginal costs in each growth period. The marginal income of irrigation during tasseling period in the three provinces was relatively large, and tasseling period was the preferred irrigation period of most farmers. To optimize future irrigation water allocation, farmers should prioritize ensuring sufficient water supply during tasseling stage and milk ripening stage in Hebei and Shandong, and during big bell mouth stage and tasseling stage in Henan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in Southeast Asia and China)

Review

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34 pages, 3567 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sustainable Livestock Solutions: Addressing Carbon Footprint Challenges from Indian and Global Perspectives

by Hari Abdul Samad, Vineeth Kumar Eshwaran, Suhana Parvin Muquit, Lokesh Sharma, Hemavathi Arumugam, Lata Kant, Zikra Fatima, Khan Sharun, Madhusoodan Aradotlu Parameshwarappa, Shyma Kanirawther Latheef, Vikrant Singh Chouhan, Vijay Prakash Maurya, Gyanendra Singh and Karun Kaniyamattam

Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 2105; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052105 - 28 Feb 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1868

Abstract

The rising environmental temperatures and growing global demand for animal protein pose major challenges to sustainable livestock production, highlighting the urgent need for climate change mitigation strategies. The livestock system in different parts of the world, especially in developing and underdeveloped nations, holds [...] Read more.

The rising environmental temperatures and growing global demand for animal protein pose major challenges to sustainable livestock production, highlighting the urgent need for climate change mitigation strategies. The livestock system in different parts of the world, especially in developing and underdeveloped nations, holds a significant role in supporting the livelihoods and nutritional security of millions, yet climate change is jeopardizing its efficiency and exacerbating its carbon footprint. This increase in carbon footprint is an alarming challenge for global sustainability, which needs to be addressed meticulously with fruitful outcomes. As the world’s largest livestock hub, the Indian livestock system can be adopted as a model for understanding the challenges and opportunities within the livestock system to develop sustainable approaches. In 2022, India accounted for approximately 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs), with a total of 3.9 billion metric tons of CO₂e. This review provides updated insights on the livestock-related carbon footprint, sustainability-enhancing technologies, GHG estimation models, and strategies for climate-neutral livestock production. Emission estimation models are categorized into source-based and whole-farm models for a comprehensive assessment of emissions. Mitigation strategies for cattle include rumen modification, nutritional approaches, efficient manure management, and precision livestock farming. India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 is reflected in various initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable livestock systems. Future perspectives emphasize decision modeling and climate-resilient technologies to address environmental challenges in alignment with the UN’s sustainable development goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in Southeast Asia and China)

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24 pages, 401 KiB

Open AccessReview

From Sustainable Agriculture to Sustainable Agrifood Systems: A Comparative Review of Alternative Models

by Qian Forrest Zhang

Sustainability 2024, 16(22), 9675; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229675 - 6 Nov 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5965

Abstract

This paper reviews, compares, and critically evaluates two broad groups of sustainable agriculture models: “sustainable agriculture” and “sustainable agrifood systems”. The “sustainable agriculture” models—comprising organic farming, regenerative agriculture, climate-smart agriculture, carbon-capture agriculture, and nature-based solutions—focus primarily on improving ecological sustainability through farm-level practices. [...] Read more.

This paper reviews, compares, and critically evaluates two broad groups of sustainable agriculture models: “sustainable agriculture” and “sustainable agrifood systems”. The “sustainable agriculture” models—comprising organic farming, regenerative agriculture, climate-smart agriculture, carbon-capture agriculture, and nature-based solutions—focus primarily on improving ecological sustainability through farm-level practices. These models emphasize reducing external, industrial inputs, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting climate resilience, relying on technological and market-based solutions to address environmental concerns. On the other hand, the “sustainable agrifood systems” models—agroecology, alternative food networks, and permaculture—offer more ambitious visions of systemic transformation. These approaches not only seek to implement environmentally sound practices but also aim to reconfigure the broader food system by challenging corporate power, promoting local governance, fostering food sovereignty, and prioritizing social justice. Grounded in grassroots movements, these models emphasize social justice and economic viability in addition to ecological sustainability. This paper’s contribution lies in its comparative analysis of the wide array of sustainable alternatives, highlighting both their strengths and limitations. Adopting an agrarian political economy perspective, it critiques the former camp for limited engagement with structural issues inherent in capitalist agriculture and the latter camp for underplaying the importance of industrial agriculture for national development in the Global South. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in Southeast Asia and China)

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