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This study compares the energy return on investment (EROI) of organic and conventional farms in Iceland. It examines which farming method returns the highest amount of edible energy to society relative to the input required. Twenty farms were studied: two organic and 18 conventional. Real data were gathered directly from five farms (including both of the organic farms in the study). Further data from 15 conventional dairy farms of different sizes were collected from a database maintained by the Icelandic Farmers Association. One of the organic farms studied (Org1) was found to have an EROI of 2.68, whereas two conventional farms used as controls for comparison (Con1-a and Con1-b) had EROIs of 0.60 and 0.69, respectively. The second organic farm (Org2) had an EROI of 0.55, versus the control farm ratio of 0.27. On average, large (<170 hectares) conventional dairy farms had an EROI of 0.65, while medium (<70 hectares) and small (<40 hectares) conventional farms had average EROIs of 0.56 and 0.50, respectively. This limited analysis suggests that organic dairy farms may provide better EROIs than conventional farms, but that their dairy yields per hectare are lower.

Thermogravimetry and kinetic analysis is carried out of the decomposition of potato crop residues, integrated by model compound measurements. Compared with other herbaceous by-products, conversion takes place at lower temperatures, gives rise to higher char amounts and, apart from the usual well evident absolute peak, the rate curves generally exhibit two additional local maxima, at low and high temperatures. Multiple integral and differential data modeling requires six parallel reactions (one, two, one and two steps for the pseudo- extractives, pectin-hemicellulose, cellulose-starch, and lignin-protein, in the order). Residue variability (five samples of different cultivar and harvest year) can be associated with increasing average plant ageing, essentially resulting into variable product yields and, in a few cases, activation energies, describing variations in macro-component contents and properties, respectively. With ageing, the activation energies (180–206 kJ/mol) and volatile yields (19–27 wt%) of the pseudo-cellulose-starch progressively increase (higher cellulose content and crystallinity). Moreover, although the decomposition of pseudo-pectin-hemicellulose gives approximately constant volatile yields (17–19 wt%), the decrease in the activation energy (163–127 kJ/mol) of the first reaction indicates progressively lower contributions of pectin (and extractives). Also, volatile yields from pseudo-lignin-protein decomposition decrease (21–14 wt%), owing to successively lower contents of the second component. Pecu liar features of the six-step scheme are originated from pectin, starch and protein components and very high alkali metal contents.

This paper analyses the role of official development assistance (ODA) in the evolution of Technological Innovation Systems (TISs) of improved cookstoves in Kenya and Rwanda. Functionally balanced TISs are central to the diffusion of new technologies and practices. We find that ODA has significantly influenced major innovation activities related to improved cookstoves in both Kenya and Rwanda over the last 30 years. However, donors’ funding has been focused mainly on the development and diffusion of technical knowledge. We find that this pattern of ODA support has not fostered balanced and effective Technology Innovation Systems, and that this has contributed to the failure to achieve widespread diffusion of improved cookstoves. We develop a quasi-evolutionary model for the long-term and systematic ODA support of innovation systems to build sustainable renewable energy TISs in developing countries.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the possibility of two step harvesting system for giant reed. The biomass was shredded and dried in the field, in second time was baled and storage. First step was cutting and shredding with a specific shredder for biomass crops rear mounted in agricultural tractor and in the second time the Arundo biomass was harvested after more day of drying in the field with continuous monitoring of the biomass moisture content. This harvesting system presents some advantages such as: the possibility of long storage of biomass (moisture content lover 14-15%), baled with a farm mechanization for hay making, possibilities of diversified use of the dried biomass (combustion and II generation ethanol). The test showed technical and energy aspect of the harvest technology but there is necessary one specific machine for shredder while the other are normally presents in the farm. The machine adopted for shredder, designed and developed by Italian constructor for more biomass herbaceous crops (Arundo, Sorghum, Panicum, Mischantus, etc..) is indicated for high vegetative developed crop and can spread the product in all soil surface or windrowing. The tests were conducted in the South of Italy (Campania region) in an experimental farm of Torrelama. The tests have showed a good performance slightly lower than 1.5 ha h-1 (1.47) with operative speed of 4.88 km h-1. The hourly production is 58.35 t ha-1 with a biomass moisture content of 42.51%. After field drying the biomass are baled and storage. Proceedings of the 26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 14-17 May 2018, Copenhagen, Denmark, pp. 305-308

Environmental pollution, animal diseases, and food scandals have marked the agricultural sector in the Netherlands and elsewhere in the 1990s. The sector was high on the political and societal agenda and plans were developed to redesign the sector into a more sustainable direction. Generally, monitoring of the agricultural sector is done by means of quantitative indicators to measure social, ecological, and economic performance. To give more attention to the normative character of sustainable development, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality requested for a participatory approach to evaluate Dutch agriculture, which was characterized by stakeholder workshops, dialogue, and learning. This article describes and reflects on this approach, using the Fourth Generation Evaluation framework developed by Guba and Lincoln (Fourth generation evaluation, 1989). Although there are several improvements to be made, the evaluation approach was successful in the way that it gave insight into perceptions, visions, and ambitions of agricultural stakeholders with regard to sustainability. It also encouraged learning about ways to make the agricultural sector more sustainable. And it contributed to the development of a monitoring approach that is complementary to the quantitative, indicator-based, evaluation approach that is generally used and that can be used every few years to see how perceptions and ambitions of stakeholders have developed. © 2009 The Author(s).

The anaerobic digestion of rice straw has been studied for the past century, but the renewable energy potential is barely utilized. Greenhouse gas emissions from rice fields can be substantially reduced if straw is removed. Methane yields ranging from 92 to 280 l/kg of volatile solids have been achieved. Optimal digestion conditions such as pH (6.5–8.0), temperature (35–40°C), and nutrients (C:N ratio of 25–35) are defined. Pretreatment (i.e., fungi, acid, and alkali solutions) and microbial engineering can increase biogas production, but research is lacking on the overall logistics for a full-scale system.

Cet article présente une étude de cas du parc national du Mont Elgon, en Ouganda, examinant et approfondissant la compréhension des revenus directs et des coûts de conservation pour les populations locales à proximité des zones protégées. Au début des années 1990, des accords de collaboration ont été introduits dans le parc national du Mont Elgon pour améliorer les relations entre la population et le parc et améliorer les moyens de subsistance en milieu rural après une période d'expulsions violentes et de graves restrictions d'accès aux ressources. Dans les zones avec de tels arrangements – y compris les accords d'accès aux ressources, l'agriculture Taungya et les programmes apicoles – nous observons une augmentation marginale des revenus annuels des ménages concernés. D'autres revenus proviennent des systèmes de partage des revenus touristiques, d'un fonds renouvelable communautaire et des paiements pour la séquestration du carbone. Cependant, ces revenus sont économiquement marginaux (1,2 % du revenu du ménage), inégalement répartis et utilisés de manière instrumentale pour récompenser le respect des réglementations du parc. Ils ne s'ajoutent pas nécessairement à ceux qui encourent des coûts en raison d'expulsions et d'exclusions, de raids sur les récoltes, de restrictions d'accès aux ressources et de conflits. En revanche, les coûts représentent au moins 20,5 % des revenus totaux des ménages, ce qui rend difficile de voir comment la conservation, la réduction de la pauvreté et le développement peuvent être conciliés localement si les populations locales continuent de supporter le poids économique de la conservation. Nous recommandons une réorientation de la politique vers la responsabilité des donateurs et des États en matière de compensation des coûts à une échelle pertinente. Un tel changement constituerait une étape importante vers un modèle de conservation plus substantiel, fondé sur les droits, et renforcerait la légitimité de la gestion des aires protégées dans le contexte de l'extrême pauvreté et de la dépendance aux ressources naturelles. Este documento presenta un estudio de caso del Parque Nacional Mount Elgon, Uganda, que examina y profundiza la comprensión de los ingresos directos y los costos de la protección para la población local cercana a las áreas protegidas. A principios de la década de 1990, se introdujeron acuerdos de colaboración en el Parque Nacional Mount Elgon para mejorar las relaciones entre las personas y los parques y mejorar los medios de vida rurales después de un período de desalojos violentos y severas restricciones de acceso a los recursos. En áreas con tales acuerdos, incluidos los acuerdos de acceso a los recursos, la agricultura Taungya y los planes de apicultura, observamos un aumento marginal en los ingresos anuales de los hogares involucrados. Otros ingresos provienen de esquemas de participación en los ingresos del turismo, un fondo rotatorio comunitario y pagos por el secuestro de carbono. Sin embargo, estos ingresos son económicamente marginales (1,2% del ingreso familiar), distribuidos de manera desigual y utilizados instrumentalmente para recompensar el cumplimiento de las regulaciones del parque. No necesariamente se acumulan a aquellos que incurren en costos debido al desalojo y la exclusión, las incursiones en los cultivos, las restricciones de acceso a los recursos y los conflictos. Por el contrario, los costos constituyen al menos el 20,5 % de los ingresos totales de los hogares, lo que dificulta ver cómo se pueden conciliar localmente la protección, el alivio de la pobreza y el desarrollo si las poblaciones locales continúan soportando el peso económico de la protección. Recomendamos un cambio en la política hacia los donantes y la responsabilidad estatal de compensar los costos en una escala relevante. Tal cambio sería un paso importante hacia un modelo de protección más sustantivo basado en los derechos, y mejoraría la legitimidad de la gestión de las áreas protegidas en el contexto tanto de la pobreza extrema como de la dependencia de los recursos naturales. This paper presents a case study from Mount Elgon National Park, Uganda, examining and deepening an understanding of direct incomes and costs of conservation for local people close to protected areas. In the early 1990s, collaborative arrangements were introduced to Mount Elgon National Park to improve people-park relations and enhance rural livelihoods after a period of violent evictions and severe resource access restrictions. In areas with such arrangements – including resource access agreements, Taungya farming, and beekeeping schemes – we observe a marginal increase in annual incomes for involved households. Other incomes accrue from tourism revenue sharing schemes, a community revolving fund, and payments for carbon sequestration. However, these incomes are economically marginal (1.2% of household income), unevenly distributed and instrumentally used to reward compliance with park regulations. They do not necessarily accrue to those incurring costs due to eviction and exclusion, crop raiding, resource access restrictions and conflicts. By contrast, costs constitute at least 20.5 % of total household incomes, making it difficult to see how conservation, poverty alleviation and development can be locally reconciled if local populations continue to bear the economic brunt of conservation. We recommend a shift in policy towards donor and state responsibility for compensating costs on a relevant scale. Such a shift would be an important step towards a more substantive rights-based model of conservation, and would enhance the legitimacy of protected area management in the context of both extreme poverty and natural resource dependence. تقدم هذه الورقة دراسة حالة من حديقة جبل إلغون الوطنية، أوغندا، تدرس وتعمق فهم الدخل المباشر وتكاليف الحفظ للسكان المحليين بالقرب من المناطق المحمية. في أوائل التسعينيات، تم تقديم ترتيبات تعاونية إلى متنزه جبل إلغون الوطني لتحسين العلاقات بين الناس والمتنزهات وتعزيز سبل العيش الريفية بعد فترة من عمليات الإخلاء العنيفة والقيود الشديدة على الوصول إلى الموارد. في المناطق التي تحتوي على مثل هذه الترتيبات – بما في ذلك اتفاقيات الوصول إلى الموارد، وتربية التاونغيا، ومخططات تربية النحل – نلاحظ زيادة هامشية في الدخل السنوي للأسر المعنية. وتتأتى الإيرادات الأخرى من مخططات تقاسم إيرادات السياحة، والصندوق المتجدد المجتمعي، ومدفوعات عزل الكربون. ومع ذلك، فإن هذه الدخول هامشية اقتصاديًا (1.2 ٪ من دخل الأسرة)، وموزعة بشكل غير متساوٍ وتستخدم بشكل فعال لمكافأة الامتثال للوائح المتنزهات. وهي لا تتراكم بالضرورة على أولئك الذين يتكبدون تكاليف بسبب الإخلاء والاستبعاد، وغزو المحاصيل، والقيود المفروضة على الوصول إلى الموارد، والنزاعات. وعلى النقيض من ذلك، تشكل التكاليف ما لا يقل عن 20.5 ٪ من إجمالي دخل الأسرة، مما يجعل من الصعب رؤية كيف يمكن التوفيق بين الحفظ والتخفيف من حدة الفقر والتنمية محليًا إذا استمر السكان المحليون في تحمل العبء الاقتصادي للحفظ. نوصي بتحول في السياسة تجاه مسؤولية الجهات المانحة والدولة عن تعويض التكاليف على نطاق ذي صلة. وسيكون هذا التحول خطوة مهمة نحو نموذج أكثر جوهرية للحفظ قائم على الحقوق، وسيعزز شرعية إدارة المناطق المحمية في سياق كل من الفقر المدقع والاعتماد على الموارد الطبيعية.