Promover o desenvolvimento sustentável do território pela inovação agrícola. Desafios da agricultura biológica no Vale do Lis, Portugal

Ferreira, Susana; Oliveira, Fátima; Gonçalves, José M.; Silva, Francisco Gomes da; Teixeira, Margarida Ribau; Gonçalves, Maria Madalena; Eugénio, Rui; Damásio, Henrique

doi:10.26754/c_agroing.2019.com.3488

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The structure of the on-farm parcels property is characterized by a majority of small parcels, with an average of 0.20 ha (Table 1), this aspect being an effective constraint to the field irrigation modernization and agriculture development and sustainability. This problem is being mitigated through an informal reparcelling of the fields carried out by farmers, through renting the properties [44]. Source: [42].…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Factors Constraining Organic Farming Expansion in Lis Valley, Portugal

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Organic farming can play an important role in rural development and food production, by reinforcing the trend toward sustainable agriculture and its purpose of ecosystem conservation. The agribusiness of organic farming is particularly relevant in family farming, given the labor availability and the short marketing circuits. The innovative techniques of organic farming, namely with soil fertility, weed and pest control, opens a wide range of possibilities in its development and extension. The expectation of organic farming profitability in small-scale family farming, supported by known successful examples, were the theme of a field study on Lis Valley Irrigation District to assess the constraints to its expansion in order to outline the procedures for the acquisition of technical knowledge, the adaptation of technologies, the support for the conversion of production models, and the specialized training of farmers for action. Results revealed that the: (i) farmer's land structure, (ii) their mature age, (iii) low education level, and (iv) markets, are the main constrains for organic farming development. Furthermore, other uncertainties were identified, namely: (i) the certification process, (ii) the knowledge of new technologies, especially of crop protection, and (iii) the marketing problems to guaranteeing profitability. This study concludes that organic farming has significant potential for development in the Lis Valley and that the efforts and resources of the various stakeholders, namely the state, need to be harmonized to deliver effective support to farmers to promote organic farming that prioritizes: (i) rural development policies, (ii) supporting land restructuring, (iii) modernization of irrigation, (iv) stimulation of young farmers, (v) conversion and implementation of innovative technologies, (vi) the organization of farmers for better productive efficiency, and (vii) to facilitate market access.

show abstract

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Factors Constraining Organic Farming Expansion in Lis Valley, Portugal

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The structure of the on-farm parcel property is characterized by a majority of small parcels (94.6% of which are smaller than 0.5 ha), with an average of 0.20 ha ( Figure 3). This aspect is an effective constraint to the modernization of field irrigation and agricultural development and sustainability, which is being mitigated through an informal parceling of the fields done by farmers, through the leasing of the properties, as previously reported [15]. The on-farm assessment of irrigation and drainage practices has great importance when regarding the general improvement of an irrigation district scale [16].…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing Irrigation Management at District Scale Based on Water Monitoring: Study on Lis Valley, Portugal

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Irrigation districts play a decisive role in Portuguese agriculture and require the adaptation to the new water management paradigm through a change in technology and practices compatible with farmers’ technical know-how and economic sustainability. Therefore, improvement of water management, focusing on water savings and increasing farmers’ income, is a priority. In this perspective, an applied research study is being carried out on the gravity-fed Lis Valley Irrigation District to assess the performance of collective water supply, effectiveness of water pumping, and safety of crop production due to the practice of reuse of drainage water. The water balance method was applied at irrigation supply sectors, including gravity and Pumping Irrigation Allocation. The average 2018 irrigation water allocated was 7400 m3/ha, being 9.3% by pumping recharge, with a global efficiency of about 67%. The water quality analysis allowed identifying some risk situations regarding salinization and microbiological issues, justifying action to solve or mitigate the problems, especially at the level of the farmers’ fields, according to the crops and the irrigation systems. Results point to priority actions to consolidate improved water management: better maintenance and conservation of infrastructure of hydraulic infrastructures to reduce water losses and better flow control; implementation of optimal operational plans, to adjust the water demand with distribution; improvement of the on-farm systems with better water application control and maintenance procedures; and improvement of the control of water quality on the water reuse from drainage ditches. The technological innovation is an element of the modernization of irrigation districts that justifies the development of multiple efforts and synergies among stakeholders, namely farmers, water users association, and researchers.

show abstract

Promover o desenvolvimento sustentável do território pela inovação agrícola. Desafios da agricultura biológica no Vale do Lis, Portugal

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Assessment of Factors Constraining Organic Farming Expansion in Lis Valley, Portugal

Assessment of Factors Constraining Organic Farming Expansion in Lis Valley, Portugal

Developing Irrigation Management at District Scale Based on Water Monitoring: Study on Lis Valley, Portugal

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About