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Farmers' experiments in Cuba
- Friedrich Leitgeb, Susanne Kummer, Fernando R. Funes-Monzote, Christian R. Vogl
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- Journal:
- Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems / Volume 29 / Issue 1 / March 2014
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 05 December 2012, pp. 48-64
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Due to the collapse of the socialist systems in 1989, Cuba's government promoted a series of structural changes to deal with resource scarcity and to enhance agricultural productivity. The upcoming crisis triggered adaptation strategies and led to a large-scale transition process towards a more sustainable model of agriculture. Farmers' experiments have been an implicit part of this process. Nowadays, farmers' capacity to experiment is widely accepted among the scientific community. However, detailed descriptions of farmers' approaches to experimentation are scarce. In this study, we examine the topics, resources, sources, motives, methods and outcomes of farmers' experiments in Cuba. The research methods comprised semi-structured interviews with 72 Cuban farmers, field notes, participant observation and a research diary. Key informants and 34 expert interviews added important insights into analysis. The results reveal that farmers' experiments are an integral part of farming in Cuba. Most farmers reported realizing their own experiments on their farms. The use of locally available resources was a crucial element for farmers' experiments. The topics were related to the introduction of new plant species or varieties, plant production, mechanization, fertilization, plant protection and the introduction of new animal species. The farmers' own idea was the most important source for experimenting, followed by ideas offered by colleagues and family members. Increasing production, independence from external resources and improving farm management were the main motives for experimenting. More than half of the farmers started to experiment without detailed written or mental planning, but made some considerations about the experiment before starting. Some planned more in detail and a few farmers devised a written plan, draft or model. Starting on a small scale was a way to minimize risks. The experiments were mainly evaluated by observation and comparison. Only a few farmers took records of their experiments. The most important outcomes were higher production, food self-sufficiency, work easement, improved plant health, increased knowledge, higher working efficiency and better taste of products. Farmers' experiments are a means of learning and they enhance farmers' capacity to adapt to changing conditions.
15 - The role of homegardens in strengthening social–ecological resilience: case studies from Cuba and Austria
- Edited by Tobias Plieninger, Claudia Bieling, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany
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- Book:
- Resilience and the Cultural Landscape
- Published online:
- 05 November 2012
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- 18 October 2012, pp 261-282
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Summary
Introduction
Worldwide homegardens are an integral part of rural and urban social–ecological systems. Often these gardens are small, not market orientated, not easily detected by outsiders and managed through low input practices. These might be reasons why they are neglected in agronomic research. In comparison, landscape planning and urban planning do focus on gardens, often from a recreational or environmentalist point of view, but highlighting less their important multifunctional contributions to the owning household and the community as a whole. Links between homegardens and the resilience of homegarden managers, their livelihood systems and rural landscapes still remain under-explored. To bridge this gap, this chapter investigates how homegardens contribute to increase social–ecological resilience of homegarden owners and the local community as a reaction to political and socioeconomic changes in Cuba and Austria.
The Cuban context
Many Cubans have witnessed the revolution in 1959, the US trade embargo since 1961 and the economic crisis, termed ‘Special Period’, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. These political events served to create constant changes in their lives, as regards changes in laws and living conditions, food security, access to markets and even religious freedom. Cubans also endure hurricanes on a regular basis.
Contribution of farmers' experiments and innovations to Cuba's agricultural innovation system
- Friedrich Leitgeb, Fernando R. Funes-Monzote, Susanne Kummer, Christian R. Vogl
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- Journal:
- Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems / Volume 26 / Issue 4 / December 2011
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 13 July 2011, pp. 354-367
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Innovations are the driving force for agricultural development under present diverse situations of uncertainty. The innovation system perspective acknowledges the contributions made by all stakeholders involved in knowledge development, dissemination and appropriation. According to the specific agricultural production system, farmers adopt innovations, modify them or innovate on their own. This paper examines the role of farmers' experiments and innovations in Cuba's agricultural innovation system (AIS), identifies knowledge exchange encounters and describes some strategies implemented to institutionalize farmers' experiments and innovations. The research methods comprised 34 semi-structured interviews with agricultural experts from the science, administration and advisory system, and 31 free list questionnaires to assess the institutional influence on farmers' experiments and innovations. In addition, three case studies of outstanding farmers' experiments are presented. The results suggest that the government's commitment to social participation in knowledge development provides the basic prerequisite for an effective integration of farmers' experiments and innovation in Cuba. The historically conditioned vertical structure of knowledge development and dissemination is gradually changing toward more horizontal procedures. The dynamic exchange of ideas at all kinds of interactive meetings, such as workshops or farmers' field schools, have favored farmer to farmer learning as well as knowledge sharing with research, academic and extension officials. This multi-stakeholders' approach contributes to institutionalize farmers' knowledge. Farmers' experiments and innovations play a major role in improving farm management and thereby can contribute to build resilience at the farming system level as well as for the national agricultural system.
Urban organic farming in Austria with the concept of Selbsternte (’self-harvest‘): An agronomic and socio-economic analysis
- Christian R. Vogl, Paul Axmann, Brigitte Vogl-Lukasser
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- Journal:
- Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems / Volume 19 / Issue 2 / June 2004
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 12 February 2007, pp. 67-79
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In Vienna, consultants, organic farmers and green-minded consumers have developed a new concept of urban organic farming, called Selbsternte (’self-harvest‘). Organic farmers prepare a plot of arable land (the Selbsternte plot) and sow or plant rows composed of 18–23 plant species. In mid-May the plots are divided into subplots that contain 2–6 m of every sown species and are rented to so-called self-harvesters for a period of about 136 days. In 2002 Selbsternte was being practiced at 15 plots in Vienna or in neighboring cities, represented by 861 subplots, with a total area of 68,740 m2, and managed by 12 organic farmers for 861 registered self-harvesters. At the Roter Berg plot, experimental subplots were established to evaluate yields and the value of the harvested produce, and interviews were conducted with 27 self-harvesters, the eight Selbsternte farmers and one Selbsternte consultant. The experimental subplots were managed in two different ways, namely, ’with low intensity‘ (LIS) and ’with high intensity‘ (HIS; meaning additional harrowing, mulching and sowing of additional plants). At the LIS 24.2 h and at the HIS 38.9 h of work were invested over 51 days. Monetary investment was US$184 for the LIS and US$259 for the HIS subplots. The total harvest of fresh produce was: 163 kg subplot–1 for LIS and 208 kg subplot–1 for HIS subplots. The total value of the harvest at the HIS was US$364 for conventional and US$766 for organic prices. All self-harvesters saw the rental of a subplot and the work as an activity of leisure. More than half of the self-harvesters reported ’trying something new‘ at their subplots. The most frequently mentioned innovation for them was growing an unknown species. Twenty-five self-harvesters sowed 54 different, additional plant species. The motivating factors in establishing Selbsternte plots, as reported by all the farmers, were, primarily, better relations with consumers and work diversification, and only then were economic factors a consideration. The contribution of Selbsternte to income varied at the farms, being between 0 and 30% of the total farm income. As a main success factor, all of the farmers reported a close relationship between the self-harvesters and the farmers. Selbsternte subplots can be understood as small experimental stations where self-harvesters merge traditional horticultural techniques with urban ideas on permaculture, sustainable land use and participatory farming. Selbsternte has potential value for the improvement of urban agriculture, but also for the development of organic farming in general.
Dry matter and fiber yields, and the fiber characteristics of five nettle clones (Urtica dioica L.) organically grown in Austria for potential textile use
- Anna Hartl, Christian R. Vogl
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- Journal:
- American Journal of Alternative Agriculture / Volume 17 / Issue 4 / December 2002
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 30 October 2009, pp. 195-200
- Print publication:
- December 2002
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Fiber nettle (Urtica dioica L.) has potential as a fiber crop in the natural textiles industry, an industry requiring production by organic methods. No recent data on yield potentials and quality of this crop using these methods are available to farmers. Five fiber nettle clones were cultivated between 1997 and 1999 in a randomized block design with four replications per clone on an organic farm in Lower Austria. The harvests from the second and third cultivation year were used for further analysis. The dry matter yield (stalks) of the five nettle clones in the second cultivation year (1998) ranged from 2.3 to 4.7 Mg ha−1. The dry matter yield of the third cultivation year (5.6 to 9.7 Mg ha−1) was more than double that of the second year. The large increase in the yield of the third year was a result of an increase in the height (20 to 40 cm higher) and a doubling of the number of stalks per plot compared with those from the second cultivation year. Undersowing with clover had a positive effect on fiber nettle growth. The fiber content after chemical processing ranged between 8 and 16% of the dry matter in both the second and third cultivation years. The fiber yields ranged from 335 to 411 kg ha−1 in the second year and from 743 to 1016 kg ha−1 in the third year. Clones with a high dry matter yield had a low fiber content and vice versa. There was no significant difference in the fiber quality (fiber strength, elongation, fiber fineness, length of fiber) of the five nettle clones. Due to the different consistency in the upper and lower part of the stalk and to fiber processing methods, the fiber material is generally very heterogeneous. This work shows that the cultivation of fiber nettle by organic methods in Austria is possible and that it produced well in the third year. Organically grown fibers of nettle are suitable for textile use; however, further development of an economic and functional high-yielding method for fiber processing, and efficient marketing are essential for the success of nettle fiber in the textile market.
Organic farming in Austria
- Christian R. Vogl, Jürgen Hess
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- Journal:
- American Journal of Alternative Agriculture / Volume 14 / Issue 3 / September 1999
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 30 October 2009, pp. 137-143
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- September 1999
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During the present decade, Austria has experienced a dramatic increase in organic farming among those countries that comprise the European Union (EU). For example, in 1992, approximately 2,000 farms were practicing organic, ecological, or biodynamic farming methods. By 1997 the number of certified organic farms plus those in transition from conventional farming had increased 10-fold to some 20,000 farms. This represents almost 9% of the total farms in Austria and an area of 345,375 ha, or 10% of the total cultivated farmland. The largest concentration of organic farms is in regions with a high proportion of alpine grassland or pastures. Approximately 50% of the organic farms range in size from 5 to 15 ha. The strong organic movement in Austria can be attributed to a) government subsidies which provide incentives to organic farmers and b) widespread acceptance of organic products and their brand names by large food chains and supermarkets. More than 60% of organic farmers are affiliated with associations and organizations that provide advisory and support services in marketing activities. Certification of organic farms and food processors is conducted by seven monitoring bodies according to EU regulation No. 2092/91, which guarantees legallybinding standards of food safety and quality to EU consumers, and according to the Austrian Alimentari Codex. Since January 1998, all monitoring/certifying bodies in Austria must verify accreditation according to regulation European Norm 45011. The major supermarket chain offers a variety of organic dairy and meat products, as well as organic ice cream, pizza, vegetables, fruits, baby foods, and bread. The current domestic wholesale value of organic products marketed from Austrian farms is approximately 170 million US$ annually. Unfortunately, funding for support of scientific research and extension to enhance organic farming and marketing has not kept pace with the increasing number of organic farms and farmers. Additional funding is essential to ensure the sustainable development of the organic movement and the organic market.