SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT WITH MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALING IN THE SUSTAINABLE FOOD YARD PROGRAM (CASE STUDY: SEMARANG CITY)

Population growth in Semarang City has an impact on the emergence of a food security issue and the high rate of unemployment. The Indonesian government issued a program named the Pekarangan Pangan Lestari or Sustainable Food Yard (SFY) that is expected to solve these problems through urban farming activities. However, the SFY is still experiencing many problems in the field that could threaten its sustainability. This study aims to analyze the sustainability status of the SFY program in Semarang City which consists of the Growth Stage and the Development Stage. The study is descriptive research with a survey method. The study was conducted on 130 sampling farmers in Semarang City that obtained the benefit of the program between 2020-2021. Sample determination used a proportional random sampling method. The data was collected by interview and analyzed using multidimensional scaling. Study results showed that the social, economic, and ecological dimensions of the Growth Stage are less sustainable than the Development Stage’s dimensions. The most sensitive attributes for the social dimension are farmer’s working hours and farmer’s independence. The most sensitive attributes for the economic dimension are product affordability and market demand. The most sensitive attributes for the ecological dimension are water availability and LEISA application. Improvement of sensitive attributes in those dimensions needs to be done to increase the sustainability status of all dimensions in the Growth Stage and the Development Stage of the SFY program in Semarang City

Evaluation of the Sustainability of Urban Agriculture in the Use of Yard Land in the City of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Utilizing yard is an alternative to increasing food security. The government is rolling out a program for using yard through the Pekarangan Pangan Lestari Program (P2L) to respond to the threat of a food crisis due to global climate change, increasing population, and land conversion. Most P2L Program recipients in Yogyakarta City do not work as farmers. Therefore, there is a need to study P2L Program evaluation candidates in Yogyakarta City. The aim of this research is to (1) evaluation a P2L Program in the City of Yogyakarta, which includes ecological, economic and social dimensions, and (2) determine sensitive attributes in the sustainability of the P2L Program. This research is exploratory, and samples were taken using the proportional random sampling method. The types of data used include primary and secondary data. This research uses multidimensional scale analysis (MDS) to assess the status and stability index of the P2L Program and to identify components that influence its stability index for each aspect by using leverage analysis. Multidimensional Scaling using Rapfish is a relevant approach that involves policies or programs. The research results show that the Yogyakarta City P2L Program has a desired index for the social dimension of 62.63%, which is quite sustainable. In the less sustainable category, the ecological and economic dimensions are 48.69% and 33.38%, respectively. For the sustainability of the P2L Program, the social dimension has the greatest impact. Sensitive attributes in the development of P2L in Yogyakarta City include the utilization of fertilizer from household waste, the beauty of yards, establishing cooperation with partners for product marketing, familiarity between members, establishing communication, absorbing labour, and saving expenses

Examinando las fronteras florísticas entre tipologias de jardín a escala global

Gardens represent important sources of goods and services for their owners. This functionality translates directly into the types of plants cultivated in a given garden, and terminology has been developed to distinguish each category of garden according to its purpose. The factors explaining the differentiation and distribution of gardens have not previously been explored at the global scale. In this study, the plant lists for 44 sets of gardens from around the world were analyzed to explore their taxonomic similarities and the factors shaping each garden. Several biophysical and socioeconomic variables were examined at the appropriate scale for their roles in garden species distribution. Physical and climatic factors (temperature, rainfall, potential evapotranspiration and distance between settlements) were found to be significantly related with species makeup; all of these factors were less important than GDP per person, a proxy for household income, which was determined to be the primary driver of garden composition. All of the studied socioeconomic factors, such as language similarity among settlements and population density, were significant drivers of species distribution. However, the present analysis omits a number of variables due to data unavailability, such as garden size and owner gender, which have been previously recognized as influences on garden plant composition. The genera cultivated in different gardens were found to be very different from each other, and the definitions of each type are hard to establish from these data alone. Finally, the implications of likely future income variations, such those caused by severe economic crisis, and global climate change on bio-cultural diversity and food security are discussed.Los jardines son una importante fuente de bienes y servicios para los residentes de un hogar. Su función se traduce directamente en el tipo de plantas que en ellos se cultiva. Por otro lado, la terminología usada para denominar los distintos tipos de jardín en inglés (garden, homegarden, forest garden, etc.) varía según su función y propósito. Los factores que explican la diferenciación y distribución de los jardines a escala global no habían sido previamente explorados hasta ahora. En este estudio se han analizado los inventarios florísticos de 44 conjuntos de jardines de to do el mundo para explorar sus similitudes taxonómicas y los factores que configuran la distribución de su flora. Para ello, se escogieron distintas variables biofísicas y socioeconómicas a una escala apropiada de trabajo. Como resultado, los factores biofísicos y climáticos (temperatura, precipitación, evapotranspiración potencial y distancia entre asentamientos) se hallaron significativamente relacionados con la distribución de las especies; no obstante, todos estos factores resultaron ser menos importantes que el GDP (PIB) per cápita, utilizado aquí como indicador de los ingresos del hogar, y que se obtuvo como el principal impulsor de la composición de los jardines. También el resto de factores sociales y culturales incluidos en el análisis, como son la similitud entre las lenguas de los distintos asentamientos o la densidad de población, se encontraron como variables significativas. Cabe señalar que el presente análisis omite cierto número de variables debido a la no disponibilidad de datos. Algunas de estas variables son el tamaño del jardín o el género de su dueño, las cuales han sido reconocidas previamente como agentes influyentes en la composición vegetal de los jardines. El estudio concluye que los géneros vegetales cultivados en los conjuntos de jardines son muy diferentes entre sí y que, por lo tanto, las distinciones entre tipologías de jardín son difíciles de establecer a partir de tan solo datos florísticos. Por último, se discuten también las implicaciones que podrían tener posibles futuras fluctuaciones en el nivel de la renta (causadas por una severa crisis económica) o el cambio climático, sobre la diversidad bio-cultural y la seguridad alimentaria.Project name: “New patterns in water demand and management in low-density urban and touristic areas. the case of the Costa Brava (Girona)”. Ref: cso2010-17488. Funded by: Ministry of Science and Innovation. Principal investigator: Anna Ribas Palom. Josep Padullés Cubino has a FPI grant to undertake PhD. Ref: BES-2011-046475

Sustainability Analysis of Superior Horticulture Agribusiness Development in East Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia

The objectives of this study were (1) to identify superior horticulture commodities, (2) to calculate the magnitude of multiplier effects of superior horticulture commodities, (3) to determine the status of the sustainability of horticulture agribusiness development and (4) to determine the dominant attributes influencing the sustainability in East Sumba Regency. The analysis methods used in this study were superior commodities analysis, multiplier analysis and Multi-Dimensional Scaling (MDS). The results showed that (1) the superior horticulture commodities in East Sumba were mango and cucumber, (2) the multiplier effect values for mango and cucumber were 2.10 and 2.01; (3) the multidimension status of superior horticulture agribusiness development in East Sumba was in the less sustainable category with an index value of 49.37 while the status of social and institutional dimensions were in quite sustainable with index value of 50.23 and 50.76, but was less sustainable of the ecology, economy and technology dimensions with index value of 42.92, 49.01 and 46.76 and (4) the attributes which were dominant on the sustainability of superior horticulture agribusiness development in East Sumba Regency were the use of fertilizer and pesticides, cultivated land area, utilization of loan, extention and training intensity, exsistence of government service, community compherensive of green technology, land processing technic, conflic between farmer groups and the existence of farmer group. Keywords: sustainability, agribusiness, horticulture, multi dimension scallin

Modeling the Potential Productivity of Urban Agriculture and Its Impacts on Soil Quality Through Experimental Research on Scale-Appropriate Systems

Urban agriculture could play a central role in local and regional food sovereignty in developed countries, but in many cities, a lack of space and competition with other land uses limit production. Options for meaningfully advancing food sovereignty goals include sustainable intensification of existing urban farms and gardens; (2) expansion of production into interstitial and other underutilized spaces undevelopable for other purposes; and (3) expansion of production in protected environments. Observational studies suggest that–like smallholder agriculture in the Global South–urban home, community, and market gardens in the developed world can be highly productive–but often are not. Research on scale-appropriate systems and outreach to urban agriculturalists are needed to help them grow more food, more sustainably. This replicated, long-term trial is addressing this need—and a dearth of experimental, normative research on urban agriculture—by evaluating the yield performance and impact on soil quality of four different systems of small-scale food production in Rhode Island, the second most densely populated state in the United States and a potential model for the development of sustainable urban food systems. Systems are modeled on vernacular systems in Providence, RI and Chicago, IL and on the scholarly and gray literature on sustainable intensification. They differ in soil management practices and nutrient sources. Results from the first 3 years of data collection indicate all four systems can be highly productive, with varying tradeoffs in terms of their sustainability and impacts on soil quality. While total marketable food yields were relatively modest compared to those reported in the gray literature for biointensive agriculture−2.22–2.96 kg m−2 averaged over three summer growing seasons compared to 4.64 kg m−2 for the “low end” of biointensive production—yields for individual crops generally exceeded—and often far exceeded—regional averages and, for most crops and systems, national averages, without a loss in soil quality. In addition to demonstrating the high productivity of small-scale systems compared to commercial farms, the study establishes a framework for conducting normative, experimental research that can help to guide practice. It also offers more reliable yield estimates for modeling the production potential of cities than do observational studies and agronomic experiments on monocultures

Agricultural Productivity Trends in India: Sustainability Issues

The sustainability issue of the crop productivity is fast emerging. The post-Green Revolution phase is characterized by high input-use and decelerating total factor productivity growth (TFPG). The agricultural productivity attained during the 1980s has not been sustained during the 1990s and has posed a challenge for the researchers to shift the production function upward by improving the technology index. It calls for an examination of issues related to the trends in the agricultural productivity, particularly with reference to individual crops grown in the major states of India. Temporal and spatial variations of TFPG for major crops of India have also been examined.Agricultural and Food Policy,

A GREEN URBAN FUTURE : Scaled-Up Perspectives in Urban Green for Human-Centered and Livable Urban Cores

This report has been prepared in the frame of the Green-In-TURKU Project; Towards a Greener Urban Future: Investigating Innovative Solutions to Increase Livability in the Inner City-Perspectives for the City of Turku to provide Turku’s city officials with a state-of-the-art update on global greening strategies across European cities and abroad. The report introduces fresh perspectives for how cities are promoting the value in green capital to find solutions to local challenges and it is the first of three reports scheduled for this project. A second report A Study of Green And Open Spaces in Turku has been prepared as part of an in-depth investigation of Turku’s urban structure including past and present developments in the green front, and it will be integrated into the project’s final report and spatial analysis with recommendations for increasing urban vibrancy and livability in the city center of Turku

Comparison between flaming, mowing and tillage weed control in the vineyard: Effects on plant community, diversity and abundance

The effect of different management techniques for plant control in the vineyard were compared in the present work, focusing on plant diversity preservation and management efficacy in a two-year experiment on vineyard row weed community. Biomass-fueled flame weeding (with two intensities) was applied as an innovative plant control technique in contrast to tillage and mowing practices. The results showed that flaming was comparable to tillage regarding weed control effectiveness, and was more efficient than mowing. However, species number and functional evenness were not substantially modified by changing the applied management technique. Functional trait analysis demonstrated that row management significantly affected the frequency of annual plants, plant height, root depth index, and the occurrence of plants with storage organs. As for species composition, meaningful differences were found: only the two flaming treatments (i.e. gentle vs intense) and the gentle flaming vs mowing had consistent species composition. Flame wedding showed some potential benefits in plant control in the vineyard by favouring small plant and controlling overall weed abundance. On the other hand, flaming favoured plant species with asexual reproduction, with a potential negative impact on weed-vine competition and species persistence in the vineyard. Further studies are required to investigate such contrasting aspects, also considering other weed control techniques (e.g. cover-crops), considering a sustainable perspective of an herbicide-free environment

Climate-Smart Agriculture in Bhutan

The climate-smart agriculture (CSA) concept reflects an ambition to improve the integration of agriculture development and climate responsiveness. It aims to achieve food security and broader development goals under a changing climate and increasing food demand. CSA initiatives sustainably increase productivity, enhance resilience, and reduce/remove greenhouse gases (GHGs), and require planning to address tradeoffs and synergies between these three pillars: productivity, adaptation, and mitigation [7]. The priorities of different countries and stakeholders are reflected to achieve more efficient, effective, and equitable food systems that address challenges in environmental, social, and economic dimensions across productive landscapes. While the concept is new, and still evolving, many of the practices that make up CSA already exist worldwide and are used by farmers to cope with various production risks [8]. Mainstreaming CSA requires critical stocktaking of ongoing and promising practices for the future, and of institutional and financial enablers for CSA adoption. This country profile provides a snapshot of a developing baseline created to initiate discussion, both within countries and globally, about entry points for investing in CSA at scale