252 research outputs found
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Multi-Level Governance of Agricultural Land in Japan: Farmers’ Perspectives and Responses to Farmland Banking
This dissertation examines the emergence and implementation of a new intermediary mechanism of farmland tenancy in Japan with a focus on farmers’ perspectives. Japan’s government introduced the Farmland Bank (FB) program in 2014 in an attempt to avoid further farmland abandonment and revitalize the farming industry. By design, the program gives more power to prefectural authorities to accommodate new actors and resources in tenancy arrangements even without farmland owners’ consent so as to expedite farmland aggregation and generate better economies of scale. This is a major turning point since the postwar agrarian reform where owners have been given a primary decision-making role in private farmland use. The research draws on semi-structured interviews with farmers, government officials and experts, which were conducted intermittently between 2016 and 2018. By taking a multi-level governance approach, the study shows a change in the farmland governance model from the centralized control of individual property to the decentralized, multi-level coordination for collective tenancy arrangements, to which farmers actively contributed along with the interlocking institutional transitions of farming families and villages. With the decline in the life security function of farmland, they have increasingly disengaged from farming and allowed for political and conceptual shifts of farmland from owner-oriented to user-driven and from family property to the commons of the society. The study finds that despite a massive budget injection, the FB program has only marginally facilitated farmland aggregation. Yet, the case study of two communities reveals that the program has been driving a ‘soft’ coercion of farmers’ land-use practices via economic rationality. Moreover, it has disconnected owners from farmland but failed to enshrine tenants’ commitment to long-term farmland management. Complementary attention to subjective, intangible and cultural aspects of farmland would help to avoid possible one-time profit seeking land-use
New strategies for row-crop management based on cost-effective remote sensors
Agricultural technology can be an excellent antidote to resource scarcity. Its growth has
led to the extensive study of spatial and temporal in-field variability. The challenge of
accurate management has been addressed in recent years through the use of accurate
high-cost measurement instruments by researchers. However, low rates of technological
adoption by farmers motivate the development of alternative technologies based on
affordable sensors, in order to improve the sustainability of agricultural biosystems.
This doctoral thesis has as main objective the development and evaluation of systems
based on affordable sensors, in order to address two of the main aspects affecting the
producers: the need of an accurate plant water status characterization to perform a
proper irrigation management and the precise weed control.
To address the first objective, two data acquisition methodologies based on aerial
platforms have been developed, seeking to compare the use of infrared thermometry
and thermal imaging to determine the water status of two most relevant row-crops in the
region, sugar beet and super high-density olive orchards. From the data obtained, the
use of an airborne low-cost infrared sensor to determine the canopy temperature has
been validated. Also the reliability of sugar beet canopy temperature as an indicator its
of water status has been confirmed. The empirical development of the Crop Water Stress
Index (CWSI) has also been carried out from aerial thermal imaging combined with
infrared temperature sensors and ground measurements of factors such as water
potential or stomatal conductance, validating its usefulness as an indicator of water
status in super high-density olive orchards.
To contribute to the development of precise weed control systems, a system for detecting
tomato plants and measuring the space between them has been developed, aiming to
perform intra-row treatments in a localized and precise way. To this end, low cost optical
sensors have been used and compared with a commercial LiDAR laser scanner. Correct
detection results close to 95% show that the implementation of these sensors can lead
to promising advances in the automation of weed control.
The micro-level field data collected from the evaluated affordable sensors can help
farmers to target operations precisely before plant stress sets in or weeds infestation
occurs, paving the path to increase the adoption of Precision Agriculture techniques
Reducción de contaminantes atomsféricos e hÃdricos en agricultura de precisiónutilizando sistemas robotizados
[EN]In the last decades there has been a large increase in environmental pollution. The incessant use of fossil fuels generates large air pollution with consequent climate change, in addition to the health problems caused by these pollutant emissions. These fuels are the main energy source for mobile vehicles, such as agricultural ones. Another problem generated in the current intensive agriculture is the use of chemicals to combat undesired pests that undermine and damage the production. Many of these products usually arrive to
the water table polluting groundwater. Considering these issues, this doctoral dissertation presents a series of research publications to reduce pollution in agricultural tasks using automated systems.
Concretely, the 4 publications presented in this doctoral dissertation by compendium of publications are focused on reducing atmospheric and water pollutants using robotic systems for precision treatments in agriculture. For the experimental tests presented in these publications, we have used robotic vehicles and implements developed in the RHEA project (European Union FP7-NMP 245986), the agricultural tasks considered in these publications have also been those developed within this project: (a) weed control in
agricultural crops using herbicides; (b) weed control in crops with wide row spaces that can withstand high temperatures over short periods of times (such as corn, onions, garlic, leeks, etc.) by direct application of flame; and (c) pest control in trees using insecticides.[ES] En las últimas décadas se ha producido un gran aumento en la contaminación del medioambiente. El incesante uso de combustible fósil genera una gran contaminación atmosférica con las consecuentes alteraciones climáticas, además de los problemas de salud provocados por estas emisiones contaminantes. Estos combustibles son la principal fuente de energÃa para vehÃculos móviles, como lo son los vehÃculos agrÃcolas. Otra problemática generada en la actual agricultura intensiva es el uso de productos quÃmicos
utilizados para combatir las plagas indeseadas que merman y dañan la producción. Gran parte de estos productos suele terminar en el subsuelo contaminando las aguas freáticas. Abordando estas problemáticas, esta memoria de tesis doctoral presenta una serie de publicaciones de investigación para reducir la contaminación generada en las tareas agrÃcolas llevadas a cabo por sistemas automatizados.
Concretamente, las 4 publicaciones expuestas en esta memoria de tesis doctoral por compendio de publicaciones se centran en la reducción contaminantes atmosféricos e hÃdricos utilizando sistemas robotizados para tratamientos de precisión aplicados en agricultura. Para las pruebas experimentales presentadas en estas publicaciones se han utilizado los vehÃculos robóticos e implementos desarrollados en el proyecto RHEA (European Union FP7-NMP 245986), las tareas agrÃcolas consideradas en estas publicaciones también han sido las desarrolladas dentro de este proyecto: (a) control de malas hierbas en cultivos agrÃcolas utilizando herbicidas; (b) control de malas hierbas en cultivos con surcos amplios y gran resistencia a temperaturas elevadas durante pequeños periodos de tiempo (como maÃz, cebollas, ajos, puerros, etc.) mediante la aplicación directa de llamas; y (c) control de plagas en árboles aplicando insecticidas. Además, es importante tener en cuenta que gran parte de los resultados obtenidos se pueden extender a otras tareas, tanto del sector agrÃcola como de otros sectores.La investigación llevada a cabo para obtener los resultados de las publicaciones
expuestas en esta memoria de tesis doctoral (presentada en modalidad de compendio de publicaciones) ha recibido financiación del Séptimo Programa Marco de la Unión Europea [FP7 / 2007-2013] en virtud de Acuerdo de Subvención nº 245986.Peer reviewe
Precision Agriculture Technology for Crop Farming
This book provides a review of precision agriculture technology development, followed by a presentation of the state-of-the-art and future requirements of precision agriculture technology. It presents different styles of precision agriculture technologies suitable for large scale mechanized farming; highly automated community-based mechanized production; and fully mechanized farming practices commonly seen in emerging economic regions. The book emphasizes the introduction of core technical features of sensing, data processing and interpretation technologies, crop modeling and production control theory, intelligent machinery and field robots for precision agriculture production
INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IN INDIAN AGRICULTURE
Globalization, privatization and scientific advancements pose new challenges and opportunities for the development of Indian agriculture. The emerging paradigm shifts focus to creation and application of new knowledge for agricultural development and global competitiveness. To facilitate this shift and realize greater economic efficiency, a new set of responsive institutions should emerge. This volume discusses the direction of institutional change in Indian agriculture. The roles of the state, markets and collective actions are examined for evolving the knowledge-intensive agriculture. The contributed papers from a number of leading researchers cover the institutions for R&D, land and water resources, credit, marketing, trade and agro-processing.Industrial Organization, International Development,
Precision Agriculture Technology for Crop Farming
This book provides a review of precision agriculture technology development, followed by a presentation of the state-of-the-art and future requirements of precision agriculture technology. It presents different styles of precision agriculture technologies suitable for large scale mechanized farming; highly automated community-based mechanized production; and fully mechanized farming practices commonly seen in emerging economic regions. The book emphasizes the introduction of core technical features of sensing, data processing and interpretation technologies, crop modeling and production control theory, intelligent machinery and field robots for precision agriculture production
Program and Proceedings: The Nebraska Academy of Sciences 1880-2012
PROGRAM
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
REGISTRATION FOR ACADEMY, Lobby of Lecture wing, Olin Hall
Aeronautics and Space Science, Session A, Olin 249
Aeronautics and Space Science, Session B, Olin 224
Collegiate Academy, Biology Session A, Olin B
Chemistry and Physics, Section A, Chemistry, Olin A
Applied Science and Technology, Olin 325
Biological and Medical Sciences, Session A, Olin 112
Biological and Medical Sciences, Session B, Smith Callen Conference Center
Junior Academy, Judges Check-In, Olin 219
Junior Academy, Senior High REGISTRATION, Olin Hall Lobby
Chemistry and Physics, Section B, Physics, Planetarium
Collegiate Academy, Chemistry and Physics, Session A, Olin 324
Junior Academy, Senior High Competition, Olin 124, Olin 131
Aeronautics and Space Science, Poster Session, Olin 249
NWU Health and Sciences Graduate School Fair, Olin and Smith Curtiss Halls
Aeronautics and Space Science, Poster Session, Olin 249
MAIBEN MEMORIAL LECTURE, OLIN B
Buffalo Bruce McIntosh, Research Ecologist with Western Nebraska Resources
Council, The Status of Nebraska\u27s Native Aspen
LUNCH, PATIO ROOM, STORY STUDENT CENTER
(pay and carry tray through cafeteria line, or pay at NAS registration desk)
Aeronautics Group, Conestoga Room
Anthropology, Olin 111
Biological and Medical Sciences, Session C, Olin 112
Biological and Medical Sciences, Session D, Smith Callen Conference Center
Chemistry and Physics, Section A, Chemistry, Olin A
Chemistry and Physics, Section B, Physics, Planetarium
Collegiate Academy, Biology Session A, Olin B
Collegiate Academy, Biology Session B, Olin 249
Collegiate Academy, Chemistry and Physics, Session B, Olin 324
Earth Science, Olin 224
History/Philosophy of Science, Olin 325
Junior Academy, Judges Check-In, Olin 219
Junior Academy, Junior High REGISTRATION, Olin Hall Lobby
Junior Academy, Senior High Competition, (Final), Olin 110
Teaching of Science and Math, Olin 325
Junior Academy, Junior High Competition, Olin 124, Olin 131
NJAS Board/Teacher Meeting, Olin 219
BUSINESS MEETING, OLIN B
AWARDS RECEPTION for NJAS, Scholarships, Members, Spouses, and Guests
First United Methodist Church, 2723 N 50th Street, Lincoln, N
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