The New Industrial Agriculture: The Regional Integration of Specialty Crop Production

AbstractCommercial farmers have been using polyethylene plastic mulch since the 1950s. Despite the affordability and effectiveness of polyethylene mulch, the disposal process is financially and environmentally costly. Biodegradable plastic mulches, an ecologically sustainable alternative to polyethylene mulch films, were introduced in the 1980s. Biodegradable plastic mulches can be tilled into the soil or composted at the end of the season, reducing the labor and environmental costs associated with plastic removal and disposal. However, research results are mixed as to the effectiveness, degradability and ease-of-use of biodegradable plastic mulches. In 2008–2012, researchers, funded by a USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant, conducted surveys and focus groups in three different agricultural regions of the USA to better understand the barriers and bridges to the adoption of biodegradable plastic mulches for specialty crop production systems. Data on the experiences and views of specialty crop growers, agricultural extension agents, agricultural input suppliers, mulch manufacturers and other stakeholders showed that the major adoption barriers were insufficient knowledge, high cost and unpredictable breakdown. The major bridges to adoption were reduced waste, environmental benefits and interest in further learning. These findings are discussed with reference to the classic innovation diffusion model, specifically work on the innovation–decision process and the attributes of innovations. The study results can be used to guide the activities of those involved in the design, development and promotion of biodegradable plastic mulches for US specialty crop production systems.

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Beyond Scale and Scope: Exploring Economic Drivers of U.S. Specialty Crop Production With an Application to Edamame

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems ◽

10.3389/fsufs.2020.582834 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

Author(s):

Clinton L. Neill ◽

Kimberly L. Morgan

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Economies Of Scale ◽

Future Research ◽

Market Demand ◽

Key Factors ◽

Specialty Crops ◽

Row Crops ◽

Specialty Crop ◽

Alternative Crop ◽

High Reward

Specialty crops are considered high-risk, high-reward, yet growers face differing, and relatively larger risk exposure when compared to traditional row crops. With traditional row crops, economies of scale and scope are key factors to increasing economic profitability. However, increasing economic profit for specialty crop operations present challenges which limit grower ability to easily take advantage of scale and scope economies. The authors discuss production, finance, regulatory, price, and human resource risks unique to U.S.-grown specialty crops. We apply our economic risk assessment framework to analyze U.S. edamame and present strategies to manage and mitigate risks faced by growers. We conclude that edamame may represent a profitable alternative crop in the U.S., and suggest future research topics are needed to optimize yields and meet market demand.

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Features of sustainable economic development in the Central Asian countries

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202129606001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 296 ◽

pp. 06001

Author(s):

Natalia Brovko ◽

Malik Borbugulov

Keyword(s):

Economic Development ◽

Regional Integration ◽

Crop Production ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Wind Farms ◽

Energy Sources ◽

Present Stage ◽

Stage Of Development ◽

Green Development ◽

The Impact

In this study there is an attempt to consider not only the consequences of climatic and technogenic changes in the Kyrgyz Republic, but also to develop some directions for solving these problems, taking into account the natural, economic and geopolitical capabilities of this country at the present stage. Within the framework of the study the issues of the impact of climate change associated with the reduction of fresh water, agricultural and crop production, as well as the problems of further use of traditional energy sources have been studied. These aspects are deeply covered as the Sustainable Development Goals under the auspices of the UN. According to the author, it is vitally important for the countries of the post-Soviet area to simultaneously find independent and nationally oriented directions and approaches to solve these problems, but without fail using the developments of the institutional base, the experience of the world community, as well as the advantages of regional integration. The main results consist in the development of a green development model related to the use of renewable energy sources at the present stage of development. The field of application of the results obtained is determined by the possibilities of including the main indicators of green development in strategic plans for socio-economic development and increasing the competitiveness of the national economy. The approach proposed by the authors allows, as a replenishment of lost energy sources in connection with climate warming and a decrease in water resources: proposals for the development of alternative sources of energy supply, the creation of solar and wind farms is proposed.

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Soil Management Practices to Mitigate Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Inform Emission Factors in Arid Irrigated Specialty Crop Systems

Soil Systems ◽

10.3390/soilsystems3040076 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 76

Author(s):

Xia Zhu-Barker ◽

Mark Easter ◽

Amy Swan ◽

Mary Carlson ◽

Lucas Thompson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrous Oxide ◽

Crop Production ◽

Management Practices ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Soil Management ◽

Emission Factors ◽

Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽

Specialty Crops ◽

Specialty Crop ◽

The Impact

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from arid irrigated agricultural soil in California have been predicted to represent 8% of the state’s total GHG emissions. Although specialty crops compose the majority of the state’s crops in both economic value and land area, the portion of GHG emissions contributed by them is still highly uncertain. Current and emerging soil management practices affect the mitigation of those emissions. Herein, we review the scientific literature on the impact of soil management practices in California specialty crop systems on GHG nitrous oxide emissions. As such studies from most major specialty crop systems in California are limited, we focus on two annual and two perennial crops with the most data from the state: tomato, lettuce, wine grapes and almond. Nitrous oxide emission factors were developed and compared to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emission factors, and state-wide emissions for these four crops were calculated for specific soil management practices. Dependent on crop systems and specific management practices, the emission factors developed in this study were either higher, lower or comparable to IPCC emission factors. Uncertainties caused by low gas sampling frequency in these studies were identified and discussed. These uncertainties can be remediated by robust and standardized estimates of nitrous oxide emissions from changes in soil management practices in California specialty crop systems. Promising practices to reduce nitrous oxide emissions and meet crop production goals, pertinent gaps in knowledge on this topic and limitations of this approach are discussed.

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Hand Safety for Specialty Crop Production Workers: A Pilot Study Investigating Frequencies of Minor Open-Wound Hand Injuries and Presence of Pathogenic Bacteria

Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health ◽

10.13031/jash.19.10111 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 227-236 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Crop Production ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Hand Injuries ◽

Open Wound ◽

Specialty Crop

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Sensing technologies for precision specialty crop production

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture ◽

10.1016/j.compag.2010.08.005 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 74 (1) ◽

pp. 2-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 248

Author(s):

W.S. Lee ◽

V. Alchanatis ◽

C. Yang ◽

M. Hirafuji ◽

D. Moshou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Specialty Crop

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Weather, Values, Capacity and Concern: Toward a Social-Cognitive Model of Specialty Crop Farmers’ Perceptions of Climate Change Risk

Environment and Behavior ◽

10.1177/00139165211026607 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 001391652110266

Author(s):

Guang Han ◽

Ethan D. Schoolman ◽

J. Gordon Arbuckle ◽

Lois Wright Morton

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Crop Production ◽

Cognitive Model ◽

Extreme Weather Events ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Future Research ◽

Climate Change Risk ◽

Specialty Crop

As specialty crop production has become increasingly important to U.S. agriculture, public and private stakeholders have called for research and outreach efforts centered on risks posed by climate change. Drawing on a survey of specialty crop farmers, this study explores farmers’ perceptions of climate change risks. Underlying cognitive, experiential, and socio-cultural factors hypothesized to influence farmers’ climate change risk perceptions are tested using structural equation modeling techniques. Results show that specialty crop farmers exhibit an overall moderate concern about climatic risks. The more capable and prepared farmers feel themselves to be, the less concerned they are about climate change. Farmers who have recently experienced more extreme weather events perceive climate change to present greater risks. In addition, farmers’ risk perceptions are also shaped by attitudes toward human exemptionalism and productivism values. Based on these findings, we provide recommendations for outreach and future research.

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