Food, Energy, and Water Nexus at Household Level: Do Sustainable Household Consumption Practices Promote Cleaner Environment?

Governments around the globe are trying to find sustainable solutions for lessening pressure on natural resources and reducing carbon emissions. Daily household consumption of food, energy, and water has an impact on stocks of natural resources, environmental quality, and climate change. Households have significant potential for increasing conservation actions for efficient use of natural resources and greenhouse gas emissions. Households could contribute to a clean and healthy environment by adopting sustainable household practices through lower per capita consumption and carbon emissions. This study explored the role of different sustainable household consumption practices in promoting a clean environment as well as the factors affecting the adoption of these practices in Pakistan. Factor analysis and an ordered probit model were used to analyze the data from 1424 participants chosen through a multistage random sampling technique. The factor analysis identified 35 sustainable household practices for sustainable consumption. These 35 practices were grouped into the underlying factors of "Food" (14 items), "Energy" (12 items), and "Water" (9 items). The results from the econometric model showed a significant relationship between gender, education, residential area, family size, and income and the adoption of sustainable household consumption practices. Statistically, higher levels of reported sustainable consumption practices were apparent among females, households living in urban areas, more educated people, individuals of large family sizes, and more affluent households. Therefore, public policies for taking care of the environment need to put households at the center while at the same time promoting mass uptake of sustainable consumption practices related to food, energy, and water. In addition, the sector-specific policies also need to be augmented through focus on household-level consumption and production dynamics for achieving the UN's SDGs.

Assessing the sustainability index of part-time and full-time hazelnut farms in Giresun and Ordu Province, Turkey.

The study's primary purposes were to assess the sustainability of hazelnut farms and explore the effects of part-time and full-time farming types on sustainability in hazelnut production in the Giresun and Ordu Province of Turkey. One hundred fifty-two hazelnut farms were selected using the stratified sampling method, and data were collected by using face-to-face questionnaires. Several steps were taken, including using factor analysis after standardizing the variables to determine their weights to calculate the composite hazelnut farms' sustainability index. The research findings showed that overall hazelnut sustainability scores of farms varied from 0.28 to 0.59, and the average score was 0.44 at sampled farms. The composite hazelnut sustainability index was at an unsatisfactory level. The social and economic sustainability index values of farms were equal, and they were higher than the environmental index value. The values were 0.50 and 0.30, respectively. The economic sustainability index score of full-time farms was higher than that of part-time farms, and part-time farms had higher environmental sustainability index scores than that of full-time farms. Social sustainability scores were not different in terms of farm type. It was recommended that when designing and regulating support policies, policy-makers should differentiate part-time and full-time farming. Training and extension programs must be planned to increase the level of knowledge of every willing farmer. To increase sustainability, specific policies are developed according to the farming type.

Linking climate change adaptation practices with farm technical efficiency and fertilizer use: a study of wheat-maize mix cropping zone of Punjab province, Pakistan.

Climate change is a serious threat to global agriculture and the farming community is well aware of this challenge. This is the first empirical study that looks beyond the traditional studies only limited to the adoption of climate change measures by estimating the impact of adopted practices on technical efficiency and computing the actual level of fertilizer at the farm level. For this purpose, face-to-face interviews were conducted for data collection with 196 farmers selected through multiple stage simple random sampling in the wheat-maize mix cropping zone of Punjab province. The results depicted that changing fertilizer was the most commonly adopted strategy (76%) to negate the effects of climate changes on crop production. Stochastic frontier analysis results revealed that the adoption of diversification practices, soil and water conservation practices, and modern input use strategies were influential factors explaining the technical efficiency differential among different farmers. The average technical efficiency score was 0.71 in the locality implying that farmers have an opportunity to increase their farm efficiency by 29% with the present level of inputs. Moreover, adopters of modern input practices with a high index were 27% more efficient than those with a low adaptation index of these climate countering measures. The empirical results also revealed the excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer to counter the climate change impacts at the agricultural farms. This result has important policy implications for government agencies that it is not enough just to guide and motivate the farmers to adopt certain strategies to negate the effect of climate change. They should also be informed about the exact usage level of those suggested measures.

Sustainability assessment of different land tenure farming systems in tea farming: The effect of decisional and structural variables.

This study focuses on the sustainability of different land tenure farms in tea farming and explores the effect of structural and decisional variables on tea farm sustainability. For this, a total of 138 tea growers from the Rize province of Turkey were selected through a stratified sampling approach and interviewed directly. The positive and negative effects of independent variables on all dimensions of sustainability were emphasized after an extensive review of the literature. This reviewing activity also facilitated hypothesizing the possible influences of variables on overall tea sustainability. A tobit model was used to examine the influence of the structural and decisional variables on tea farm sustainability. The results described that owners were more sustainable compared with shareholders. Their economic and social sustainability levels were not significantly different from each other. However, environmental sustainability at owners' tea farms was more satisfactory than that of shareholders. Among structural variables, land slope, age of tea orchard, and farmers' age were negative influences, whereas cooperative membership and terrace status affected tea farm sustainability positively. Similarly, among decisional variables, family labor, fertilizer application methods, farmers' willingness to perform a soil test, and sale value of tea had positive influences, whereas the cost of chemical fertilizers had a negative influence on tea farm sustainability. The land tenure was found to have a significant effect on sustainability when the tea farmer was the owner of the farm. Thus, farmers should replant their orchards on time, and adopt sustainable practices such as terracing and employing environment-friendly fertilizer application methods for increasing tea sustainability in the locality. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:814-834. © 2020 SETAC.

Determinants of Rulindo tea farmers' perception towards organic farming: a MASS::stepAIC() approach / Determinates da percepção dos cafeicultores de Rulindo em relação à agricultural orgânica: uma abordagem MASS::stepAIC

ABSTRACT: The current study determined the factors influencing the perception of tea farmers towards organic tea production in Rulindo District, Rwanda. This study used both qualitative and quantitative data from face to face interviews and questionnaires completed with 156 tea farmers and other key informants in the tea sector who were randomly selected in 2019. Using function step AIC in R's MASS package, the final multiple logistic regression model showed that generating income from tea production, participation in Umuganda, conveying messages at Ihangari, participation to agricultural shows, and receiving training from Farmers Field Schools (FFS) influenced farmers' perceptions towards organic tea production. Thus, the results of this study could be useful to stakeholders in Rwanda's tea sector, such as policymakers and decision-makers. They can act as a source of information when developing a more sustainable research-based tea extension program. Moreover, the results of this study can be used during the capacity building of farmers about organic tea production.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo é determinar os fatores que influenciam a percepção dos produtores de chá em relação à produção de chá orgânico no distrito de Rulindo, Ruanda. Esta pesquisa utilizou dados qualitativos e quantitativos de entrevistas e questionários presenciais preenchidos com 156 cafeicultores e outros informantes-chave do setor de chá que foram alocados aleatoriamente em 2019. Usando a etapa de função AIC no pacote MASS de R, o modelo final de regressão logística múltipla mostrou que a participação em Umuganda, transmitindo mensagens na ihangari, discussões com um revendedor Agro nas aldeias, obtendo renda com as vendas de folhas de chá verde fresco, acesso dos cafeicultores à Internet, participação na exposição agrícola e treinamento em escolas agrícolas da Cooperativa Os cafeicultores tiveram à previsão da percepção da produção orgânica de chá. Assim, os resultados deste estudo podem ser úteis para as partes interessadas no setor de chá de Ruanda, como formuladores de políticas e tomadores de decisão. Eles podem atuar como fonte de informação ao desenvolver um programa de extensão do chá mais sustentável, baseado em pesquisa. Além disso, os resultados deste estudo podem ser utilizados durante a capacitação dos agricultores sobre o cultivo de chá orgânico.

Knowledge, behavior and precautionary measures related to COVID-19 pandemic among the general public of Punjab province, Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION: The world is facing a formidable challenge to prevent the COVID-19 global outbreak, and health care systems are under pressure globally. The governments alone cannot prevent the spread of this pandemic without creating a sensitive public opinion and cooperation. Therefore, this study analyzed the knowledge, behavior, and precautionary measures taken by the general public to protect themselves from COVID-19 pandemic. METHODOLOGY: For this purpose, snowball sampling technique was used to collect data from 401 respondents through an online survey in the Punjab province of Pakistan. A Multivariate Probit Model was used to determine the factors affecting the choice of precautionary measures to avoid COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: Majority of the respondents (58.1%) belonged to urban areas in this study. The urban respondents had higher knowledge about Coronavirus disease as compared to rural respondents. Similarly, the hygienic behavior of urban respondents was better than rural respondents. But unavailability of hygienic material (mask and hand sanitizer) was the main problem faced by the general public. Public transportation was considered the most risk-prone place to COVID-19 by the respondents. Majority of the respondents perceived medium to highest risk from COVID-19, and it was found one of the most influential factors affecting the adoption of precautionary measures along with knowledge of this pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Government needs to start a comprehensive awareness campaign on social media along with the mainstream media create awareness about the importance of social distancing, washing hands and wearing masks among the general public to enhance knowledge and improve the behavior of the general public about COVID-19.

Evaluating eco-efficiency and optimal levels of fertilizer use based on the social cost and social benefits in tea production.

The extensive use of synthetic fertilizers is increasing continuously to meet the growing demand of food worldwide. This excessive use of fertilizer not only pose a threat to the sustainability but also cause negative externalities in form of hidden social cost to the society The present study estimated social costs and benefits associated with excessive use of chemical fertilizers at tea farms and also evaluated eco-efficiency of tea growers in Rize Province of Turkey. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used in this study. Tea growers are 68% eco-efficient in the locality. They can reduce their average fertilizer use from 115.45 to 66.45 kg and labor from 9.88 to 8 days per decare. The overuse of fertilizers at tea farms emits 289.3 kg/hectare of greenhouse gases. Therefore, by applying the eco-efficient fertilizer target level, 1574.48 tons of gas emissions only in Rize Province and 23,997.57 tons in whole Turkey can be reduced. The cost of 1 kg gas emissions was calculated as 0.3316 TL. The optimal level of fertilizers (social costs = social benefits) was also similar to the target level. The fertilizer use efficiency analysis showed that the tea growers cannot only reduce their fertilizer quantity by 49.03 kg/decare without compromising the crop yield, but can also contribute to the healthy environment with a low level of greenhouse gas emissions. Tea growers should replace their older tea orchards with new ones in order to achieve social and eco-efficient levels as well as to maintain viable yield level.

Adaptation options for small livestock farmers having large ruminants (cattle and buffalo) against climate change in Central Punjab Pakistan.

Climate change is not a myth anymore and changing with every passing year regardless of the efforts to mitigate its root causes. Livestock being a key source of employment to a large poor world population also contributes to food security and poverty eradication. With the changing climate livestock farmers are also making their farms compatible to the new natural ecosystem. Therefore, this study investigated how small livestock farmers having large ruminants inventory perceive changes in climate, which strategies they adapt and the factors influencing the adaptation of climate changes strategies in livestock. Primary data was collected from 180 small livestock farmers of Central Punjab, and multiple (step-wise) regression analysis was used to determine the factors affecting adaptation of climate change strategies. Livestock farmers are also well aware of the climate change as majority of the farmers (63.4% and 71.4%) perceived an increase in temperature and precipitation, respectively. Livestock farmers made an attempt to adopt conventional climate change strategies such as mix farming, reduction in animals, provision of more drinking water, use of tree shades, livestock diversification, use of muddy roof, and floor in order to cope with climate changes. The adoption of these measures was significantly influenced by animal inventory, climate knowledge, livestock working hours, livestock experience, distance of veterinary hospital, and livestock-related training/workshops. Government needs to increase technical and logistic capacity of veterinary doctors, and should create awareness among small livestock farmers through media.

Land tenure in tea farming and exploring factors influencing a rural households decision to exit or enter farming / Um exame da posse da terra na agricultura de chá e a exploração de fatores que influenciam a decisão de uma família rural de sair ou entrar na agricultura

ABSTRACT: Self-operated land and operated by tenure may affect the sustainability of farming in a region. This study planned to analyze how rural households switch away from tea farming even they have parental land, and how landless access the land for tea farming. For this a total of 138 tea growers were interviewed including 27 farmers who had just ownership of land and had left the tea farming. Logistic regression was applied to assess the determinants of rural household's decision to exit and enter the land market. Farmers were compared over their farm management practices and personal characteristics. The owned farmers were good in management and adoption of good practice in tea farming than those who accessed land as a shareholder and not had their own land. Rural households head as getting older, having high education and also having an off-farm occupation, having more university graduated family members, and family members having off-farm occupations are more likely to exit from farming and supply their land to rental markets. On the other side, an older and highly educated head of landless family is less likely to become a shareholder. Here also off-farm occupation has a negative and insignificant effect on the probability of landless household working as a shareholder. If the head of the landless family has a wish to become a successful farmer, then he is more likely to work as an owner. It implies that a person is less likely to work as a shareholder and more likely to get land with ownership rights not only land-using rights.

RESUMO: Propriedades auto-operados e operados pela posse podem afetar a sustentabilidade da agricultura em uma região. Este estudo planejou analisar como as famílias rurais se afastam da produção de chá, mesmo as que possuam terras parentais, e como os sem-terra acessam a terra para a produção de chá. Nesse total, 138 produtores de chá foram entrevistados, incluindo 27 agricultores que possuíam apenas a propriedade da terra e deixaram a lavoura. A regressão logística foi aplicada para avaliar os determinantes da decisão da família rural de sair e entrar no mercado de terras. Os agricultores foram comparados com suas práticas de gerenciamento agrícola e características pessoais. Os agricultores proprietários foram considerados bons em gestão e adoção de boas práticas na agricultura de chá do que aqueles que acessaram a terra como acionista e não possuíam terras próprias. Os agregados familiares rurais envelhecem, têm ensino superior e também uma ocupação fora da fazenda, tendo mais membros da família graduados na universidade e com ocupações fora da fazenda têm mais probabilidade de sair da agricultura e fornecer suas terras para os mercados de arrendamento. Por outro lado, um chefe de família sem terra, mais velho e altamente educado, tem menos chances de se tornar um acionista. Aqui também a ocupação fora da fazenda tem um efeito negativo e insignificante na probabilidade de famílias sem terra trabalharem como acionistas. Se o chefe da família sem terra deseja se tornar um agricultor bem-sucedido, é mais provável que ele trabalhe como proprietário. Isso implica que é menos provável que uma pessoa trabalhe como acionista e obtenha terras com direitos de propriedade e não apenas direitos de uso da terra.