Sustainable management for woody crops in Mediterranean dry-lands

Abstract

In the large inland extensions of the Spanish Mediterranean, dry-farming is predominant and the main crops are olive, vine and almond. These species represent an agricultural activity that is fundamental to the continued inhabitation of these regions. The aim of this work is to determine the chances this agriculture has of continuing by following criteria of sustainability. Having chosen goals of an economic, social and environmental nature, almost-ideal cropping plans are obtained using the Compromise Programming. Moreover, given the important role played by water availability in this type of agriculture, the study is completed by determining the impact that an irrigation-water pricing policy would have, as outlined in the European Water Framework Directive. The study leads to the conclusion that, increasing mechanization may be the most straightforward strategy to ensure the sustainability of farms in Spanish dry-lands, and specially if the current trend of increasing irrigation-water prices is consolidated.Additional key words: compromise programming, demand functions of irrigation water, goal programming, mediterranean agro-systems, multiattribute utility theory, technological improvements. Resumen Sostenibilidad de los cultivos leñosos en las comarcas del secano mediterráneoEn las grandes extensiones del mediterráneo español predominan el olivo, la vid y el almendro cultivados en secano. Estas especies conforman un paisaje muy característico y, sobre todo, determinan una actividad económica que es fundamental para que estas comarcas sigan estando habitadas. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar las opciones de continuidad de esta agricultura, siguiendo criterios de sostenibilidad. Tras seleccionar objetivos de índole económica, social y ambiental, se obtienen planes de cultivos cercanos al ideal, a través de la Programación Compromiso. Por otra parte, y dado el importante papel de la disponibilidad de agua en esta agricultura, el estudio se completa determinando el impacto que tendría una política tarifaria en el agua de riego, como recoge la actual Directiva Marco de Aguas europea. Con los resultados se concluye que la mecanización es la estrategia más directa para asegurar la sostenibilidad de las explotaciones de las comarcas del secano mediterráneo, sobre todo si se consolida la tendencia actual de elevar los precios del agua de riego.Palabras clave adicionales: agrosistemas mediterráneos, funciones de demanda del agua de riego, función de utilidad multiatributo, mejoras tecnológicas, programación compromiso, programación por metas.

Orchard and horticulture systems in Spanish Mediterranean coastal areas: Is there a real possibility to contribute to C sequestration?

“…In littoral areas (i.e. in Thermo-Mediterranean areas) agriculture is more intensively managed and irrigated, producing fruit and vegetables for fresh consumption (Fernández-Zamudio, 2006). Irrigated intensive orchard and horticultural systems are highly productive and hence, they can produce large C inputs as plant residues.…”

Weed Species’ Diversity and Composition as Shaped by the Interaction of Management, Site, and Soil Variables in Olive Groves of Southern Greece

“…Olive groves are an ideal study model for several reasons. Olive (Olea europaea L.) is one of the most extensively cultivated tree crops in the Mediterranean basin and has been playing an important role in the socioeconomic life of the region since ancient times [4,5]. In Greece, traditionally managed olive groves have been identified as important habitats that often support a rich ground flora [6].…”

Effects of Irrigation-Water Pricing on the Profitability of Mediterranean Woody Crops

“…"Marginal management" defines non-definitive semi-abandonment, in which these three tree crops survive left to the mercy of the climate. This is often the case in the regions under study and at specific periods of time when, due to the lack of labour or profitability, the farmers do not optimize crop care and limit it to a minimum (Fernández-Zamudio et al, 2006).…”

“…Works related with irrigation water management in Mediterranean crops are: Gurovich (2002) studied the energy cost of irrigating the Chilean table grape; Hearne and Easter (1997) analyzed the impact of applying water markets to the cultivation of fresh grapes; Bazzani et al (2004) investigated the effects of putting into practice the Water Framework Directive in Europe; Jorge et al (2003) carried out an economic evaluation of the consequences of drought on the Mediterranean crops; and Fernández-Zamudio et al (2007) obtained irrigation water demand curves for the Spanish table-grape.…”