Assessing Agricultural Sustainable Development Based on the DPSIR Approach： Case Study in Jiangsu, China

According to the contemporary ecosystem approach, the linkages of human actions with their environment have to be assessed in an integrative manner. The Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model is applied to identify and describe processes and interactions in human-environmental systems. An example application from a research project dealing with the development of sustainable management strategies for the agriculture in Jiangsu, China, illustrates the potentials and limitations of its sustainable development. The concept and indicators of ecological integrity are used to assess the indicators in the dimensions of DPSIR between 2003 and 2006. The main drivers included population growth which caused increasing demand for food, growing environmental demands, and rapidly decreasing of land and other natural resources. The main environmental problem was water pollution. The results show that in the dimension of driver, total grain output and agricultural land productivity both increased. Labor intensive agriculture has been promoted to increase agricultural land productivity. In the dimension of pressure, on the positive side, infrastructure got greatly improved, the input level such as total power of machinery, and level of fertilizer use increased, and level of pesticides use decreased, but on the negative side, cultivated land per capita and irrigation rate decreased, natural resources keep decreased. Environmental pollution indicators such as industrial wastewater discharge and acid rain rate increased in Jiangsu Province. In the aspect of state, ecosystem state was improved, plant coverage index increased, biological abundance index increased, fertilizer productivity increased, eco-environmental quality index increased, but land degradation index also increased. In the aspect of impact, output level increased, output efficiency enhanced, farmer’s social economic benefit improved. In the aspect of response, social support was greatly improved, input for environmental governance increased. To assess the effects of environmental governance, Jiangsu government was successful to increase compliance rate of sulfur dioxide emissions, but not so efficient in compliance rate of industrial wastewater discharge.     

Agricultural Production Structure Optimization： A Case Study of Major Grain Producing Areas, China

A large number of mathematical models were developed for supporting agricultural production structure optimization decisions; however, few of them can address various uncertainties existing in many factors (e.g., eco-social benefit maximization, food security, employment stability and ecosystem balance). In this study, an interval-probabilistic agricultural production structure optimization model (IPAPSOM) is formulated for tackling uncertainty presented as discrete intervals and/or probability distribution. The developed model improves upon the existing probabilistic programming and inexact optimization approaches. The IPAPSOM considers not only food security policy constraints, but also involves rural households’income increase and eco-environmental conversation, which can effectively reflect various interrelations among different aspects in an agricultural production structure optimization system. Moreover, it can also help examine the reliability of satisfying (or risk of violating) system constraints under uncertainty. The model is applied to a real case of long-term agricultural production structure optimization in Dancheng County, which is located in Henan Province of Central China as one of the major grain producing areas. Interval solutions associated with different risk levels of constraint violation are obtained. The results are useful for generating a range of decision alternatives under various system benefit conditions, and thus helping decision makers to identify the desired agricultural production structure optimization strategy under uncertainty.     

Setting Agricultural Research Priorities： The Case for the Agricultural Sector in Swaziland

The study determined the research priorities in Swaziland agricultural sector. Data collection used existing documents on agricultural research prioritizing, Nominal Group Technique and modified Delphi technique, with analysis of data using content categorization and, group and individual ranking of submissions. Findings showed the agricultural priorities from national policies are tied-up with mitigating the effects of HIV and AIDS on food security, reduction of poverty and, sustainable development. The findings also revealed forty-three field crops areas needing research. Seven horticulture areas and eleven livestock sector areas were of high priority. A considerable number of research areas in field crops, horticulture and livestock indicated that the current research system has not adequately addressed research needs, despite efforts made by the private sector, University of Swaziland and Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, for Swaziland to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. Recommendation was that the identified research priorities should be used as basis for directing the limited resources in conducting agricultural research. The participation of all stakeholders would facilitate efficient use of resources and facilitate collaboration amongst research institutions. The University of Swaziland should develop research priorities aligned with national policies and objectives, to facilitate funding for research by both government and donor agencies.     

Interpretation of Climate Change and Agricultural Adaptations by Local Household Farmers：a Case Study at Bin County,Northeast China

Although climate change impacts and agricultural adaptations have been studied extensively, how smallholder farmers perceive climate change and adapt their agricultural activities is poorly understood. Survey-based data （presents farmers＇ personal perceptions and adaptations to climate change） associated with external biophysical-socioeconomic data （presents real-world climate change） were used to develop a farmer-centered framework to explore climate change impacts and agricultural adaptations at a local level. A case study at Bin County （1980s-2010s）, Northeast China, suggested that increased annual average temperature （0.6＆#176;C per decade） and decreased annual precipitation （46 mm per decade, both from meteorological datasets） were correctly perceived by 76 and 66.9%, respectively, of farmers from the survey, and that a longer growing season was conifrmed by 70%of them. These reasonably correct perceptions enabled local farmers to make appropriate adaptations to cope with climate change：Longer season alternative varieties were found for maize and rice, which led to a signiifcant yield increase for both crops. The longer season also affected crop choice：More farmers selected maize instead of soybean, as implicated from survey results by a large increase in the maize growing area. Comparing warming-related factors, we found that precipitation and agricultural disasters were the least likely causes for farmers＇ agricultural decisions. As a result, crop and variety selection, rather than disaster prevention and infrastructure improvement, was the most common ways for farmers to adapt to the notable warming trend in the study region.     

Influence of Climate and Socio-Economic Factors on the Spatio-Temporal Variability of Soil Organic Matter： A Case Study of Central Heilongjiang Province,China

For the scientific management of farmland, it is significant to understand the spatio-temporal variability of soil organic matter and to study the influences of related factors. Using geostatistical theory, GIS spatial analysis, trend analysis and a Geographically Weighted Regression （GWR） model, this study analyzed the response of soil organic matter to climate and socio-economic factors in central Heilongjiang Province during the past 25 years. Second soil survey data of China for 1979-1985, 2005 field sampling data, climate observations and socio-economic data for 1980-2005 were analyzed. First, soil organic matter in 2005 was spatially interpolated using the Co-Kriging method along with auxiliary data sets of soil type and pH. The spatio-temporal variability was then studied by comparison with the 1980s second soil census data. Next, the temporal trends in climate and socio-economic factors over the past 25 years were investigated. Finally, we examined the variation of the response of soil organic matter to climate and socio-economic factors using the GWR model spatially and temporally. The model showed that 53.82% area of the organic matter content remained constant and 29.39% has decreased during the past 25 years. The impact of precipitation on organic matter content is mainly negative, with increasing absolute values of the regression coefficient. The absolute value of regression coefficient of annual average temperature has decreased, and more areas are now under its negative effects. In addition, the areas of positive regression coefficient of annual sunshine hours have northward shifted, with the increasing absolute value of positive coefficient and decreasing absolute value of negative coefficient. The areas of positive regression coefficient of mechanized farming as a socio-economic factor have westward shifted, with the increasing absolute value of negative coefficient and decreasing absolute value of positive coefficient. The area of regions with the positive regression coefficient of irrigatio     

An Evaluation of the Introduction of Modified Cropping Practices in Yunnan Province, China, Using Surveys of Farmers＇ Households

Problems associated with land degradation are serious in China. Sloping land in South China has experienced a decline in crop productivity by 30-60% due to soil erosion and it has been predicted that most topsoil will be lost within the next 100 years if current erosion rates continue. Considering these situations, an agro-environmental research and development project （Sustainable Highland Agriculture in South-East Asia- SHASEA） was conducted in a catchment in Yunnan Province, China, to address the objectives of increasing crop productivity in sustainable and environmentally-friendly ways. A range of cropping practices was developed and implemented in a rural upland catchment （Wang Jia）. At the end of the project, farmers were surveyed to evaluate project effectiveness. All farmers from Wang Jia Catchment, who were involved in project implementation, were surveyed. A sample of farmers working in an adjacent catchment （not associated with the project） was surveyed for comparative purposes. Farmers had different perceptions of the cropping practices employed. Contour cultivation was preferred and likely to be adopted. Others practices such as straw mulching and intercropping were seen as less appropriate and unlikely to be adopted. Polythene mulch was recognized as effective, but likely to be adopted only if financial returns were favourable. The availability of relevant information had an important impact on the extent of technology testing by farmers and their willingness to adopt the practices in the future.     

Identification of Behavior of Voluntary Traceability and Analysis of Its Determinants： A Case Study of Hog Slaughtering and Processing Firms in Zhejiang Province, China

In recent years, the Chinese government has highlighted the importance of adopting hog safety/quality traceability, and a growing amount of research continues to entice firms to adopt traceability systems. In this study, a survey was conducted on a sample of pig slaughtering and processing firms in Zhejiang, China through personal interviews and emails. The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of firm behavior on the implementation of voluntary traceability systems with more stringent standards and controls than those of the mandatory system in China. The results revealed that motivation based on product quality improvement, capital ability and role perception (business type) had significantly positive relationships with a firm’s voluntary traceability. Other incentives, such as operation improvement, recall risk reduction, reduced occurrence of safety issues, and technical strength were not found to be supportive in our study. This study provides an opportunity to better understand the determinants of firm behavior on voluntary traceability, particularly in light of the fact that some Chinese firms are facing the threat of criminal action for the use of illegal additives and the abuse of Clenbuterol. Policy recommendations on encouraging the implementation of pork safety voluntary traceability by hog slaughtering and processing firms are also discussed.     

Managing Climate Change Risk in China’s Agricultural Sector：The Potential for an Integrated Risk Management Framework

Climate change poses a serious threat to the future food security of China, which is among the most disaster-prone countries in the world. This paper discusses the implications of climate change for China＇s agricultural sector. Its main objectives are to identify the agricultural risks associated with climate change, to introduce a conceptual framework for agricultural climate risk management and to enumerate key adaptation strategies, challenges, and recommendations.     

关于中国农业可持续发展的探讨

重点阐述了中国可持续发展过程中的几个问题并提出：要正确认识和把握农业可持续发展的涵义和目标。耕地是农业可持续发展的基础,加强耕地保护是当务之急;保护和改善农业生态环境,是农业可持续发展的重要保证,刻不容缓;驾驶农业科技的研究和推广,不断提高农业可持续发展的能力;加强国家的宏观管理,运用法制,经济和市场机制等手段,保障和促进农业可持续发展。     

21世纪中国农业农村经济可持续发展政策初探

从我国现实国情和农业农村经济可持续发展政策供给不同出发,提出了２１世纪我国农业农村经济可持续发展政策的四大战略重点,即加强农业保护,发展一体化农业;加速农村城市化进程;把农村工作纳入城市工作体系。     

中国农业的可持续发展与节水农业

分析了中国的可持续发展离不开农业的可持续发展，论述了农业可持续发展对水的需求以及农业可持续发展所面临的水危机，指出实施节水农业是农业可持续发展的重要措施，并对节水农业的一些做法作了简要阐述。     

Preliminary Understanding of ＂Agriculture is Permanent Petroleum of Sudan＂

＂Agriculture petroleum＂ theory was put forward by the Sudanese President, Mr. Bashir. To thoroughly understand his theory it is necessary to identify which countries＇ agriculture performed best in the world before and after the advent of petroleum. Reviews and international cooperation results conclude that the Chinese traditional agriculture was considered as one of the most sustainable agriculture in the world before petroleum and based on its experience of traditional agriculture updated with modem technology and equipment, China＇s modern agriculture achieves world famous accomplishment. Unlike in China, agriculture, especially conventional petroleum based agriculture causes problems all over the world. In contrast to petroleum, agriculture is a permanent industry, and if managed properly, it could bring sustainable prosperity to a country. Relying on unique natural resources, agriculture could bring Sudan permanent development and prosperity by learning from China＇s traditional agriculture experience and modern agriculture achievements. To introduce good and rapid agriculture development in Sudan, potentials and opportunities are analyzed, six suggestions are proposed： attracting foreign direct investment （FDI）, strengthening international cooperation, developing irrigated scale farming, paying high attention to planning, practicing the four combinations and changing views.     

中南地区节水农业建设的战略思考

本文在阐述了中南地区发展节水农业的战略地位和重要性的基础上,分析了中南地区的自然和社会经济条件、农业用水的供需矛盾和节水潜力．以及节水农业建设存在的问题,从思想认识,规划协调、投入,技术研究、种植结构调整、农产品质量诸方面．提出发展节水农业是中南地区农业可持续发展的战略举措。     

浅论中国持续农业的发展道路

根据中国的国情和农业面临的问题，提出了中国持续农业的任务、内涵和目标，指出传统农艺体系与现代技术的有机结合是中国持续农业发展的突破口。在文中还简述了中国传统农艺与现代技术成功结合形成的现有主要可持续性技术或技术途径。     

生态农业在中部崛起中的重要性

分析了农业对中部崛起的影响力,阐述了中部崛起必须依赖农业的原因,结合目前中部农业发展现状,指出走生态农业发展道路是解决中部地区农业发展较为现实可行的路径,提出建设生态农业的几点建议．     

北方农牧区环境资源障碍与持续农业发展途径

结合国家农业科技攻关旱农张北试区研究．本文剖析了我国北方农牧区农业发展的环境资源障碍因素,提出了通过控制土地退化、提高水分效率、扩大负熵输入与调整农村经济结构以实现北方农牧区资源环境──农牧生产──农村经济协调互依、持续发展的技术途径。     

现代集约持续农业和资源的合理利用

适合中国国情的农业可持续发展的模式应是现代集约持续农业。现代集约持续农业重视充分发挥资源的生产潜力,在保护和改善生态的前提下,发展“两高一优”农业。另外还就我国农业自然资源的利用现状及潜力的发挥进行分析和探讨,并提出资源合理利用的定性概念。     

试我国实行农业可持续发展的必然性

通过对农业可持续发展的必然性进行多角度的定性分析 ,认为农业可持续发展是我国农业完成“三大任务”的需要 ,是我国农业顺应经济发展“三大趋势”的需要 ,是我国农业迎接“三大挑战”的需要 ,是我国农业克服“五低矛盾”的需要 ,是我国协调区域间农业资源利用关系的需要。从而得出实行可持续发展是我国农业实现现代化的必然选择的结论。