Comparative agroenvironmental risks of pesticides in different cropping systems: application of the I-Phy indicator

The green revolution laid the foundations of modern agriculture, by using science and technology to produce more from same resources. The pesticides contributed to agricultural output in the last decades; however, their use has resulted in environmental pollution, health problems, soil and water contamination and negative impact on biota. The impacts of agricultural activities to the environment depended on the practices adopted during the production process. Measurement tools to assess the impacts of those practices are necessary to improve agricultural systems and must be evaluated in different ecosystems. Different soils, climates and crops impose many phytosanitary arrangements. This complex network and the fact that most of the indicators and measurement tools are developed for temperate climates makes it difficult to quantify the environmental impacts under subtropical regions. The I-Phy index is a predictive indicator that assesses the risks of pesticide usage in agriculture and identifies as to which practices generate the main environmental impacts of pesticides. The objective of this study was to test the suitability of the I-Phy index for subtropical conditions and, if suitable, compare the pesticide risk between two regions. Five crops were assessed under three different cropping systems: no-tillage, minimal tillage and conventional tillage. The I-Phy index was sensitive in both regions and capable of identifying that no-tillage generally presented risks of environmental pollution slightly lower than the other tillage systems. The results of I-Phy index showed that high environmental vulnerability of the fields and the numerous applications of active ingredients with high risks resulted in high risks of general contamination. The application of I-Phy on these two case studies showed the indicator can be useful as a support tool to farmers, research and extension institutions pursuing management practices with lower impact on the environment

Organizational structures and the evolution of dairy cooperatives in Southern Brazil: A life cycle analysis

Mesorregi\ue3o Grande Fronteira do Mercosul (GFM) in southern Brazil is the country's largest dairy production area. This region has the highest concentration of dairy cooperatives of small and medium-sized producers in the country. Nevertheless, the traditional policies and practices of Brazilian cooperatives no longer align with market realities and the exclusion of less efficient cooperatives from the market affects many small family farms. This study about the development of dairy cooperatives located in the GFM aims to identify these cooperatives\u2019 vulnerabilities and improvements that can increase their competitiveness. Using Cook's (1995) life cycle approach, we describe the evolution of cooperatives in the dairy industry in this region. The results indicate the necessity of new designs for GFM dairy cooperatives\u2019 business models and strategies in order to disconnect them from government aid. Measures to enhance their market competitiveness are necessary to promote self-sufficiency in this growing sector and maintain family farms\u2019 continued existence

Dairy Supply Chain in Southern Brazil: Barriers to Competitiveness

Different from other sectors in the Brazilian agriculture, the dairy is still immature, especially regarding external markets competition, and therefore is facing difficult challenges. This study identifies the main factors affecting the competitiveness in one of the most promising and dynamic dairy production areas in the world, the mesoregion Grande Fronteira do Mercosul in Southern Brazil. It is based on the perceptions of supply chain leaders about the challenges to improve the competitiveness. Missing professionalism, formal agreements, investments in marketing and research, technology, development and innovation, technical assistance, high transport and transaction costs, idle capacities and frauds are among the main factors retarding the modernization of this supply chain. It also present different strategies already implemented by some actors to overcome such competitiveness barriers. Therefore these problems and strategies must be the target of managers and authorities in a sustainable common project of development for the benefit of the whole chain. Acknowledgement : We would like to acknowledge the CAPES from the Brazilian Ministry of Education for the financing as well as the interviewees participants of this study for their time and dedication