Willingness to Adopt Biochar in Agriculture: The Producer’s Perspective

Most research on biochar has focused either on the mechanistic or the biophysical aspects, and there has been relatively little research into the social applicability and acceptance of biochar as a soil enhancer in agriculture. However, whether to adopt biochar in their practice is ultimately the farmers’ decision, and their willingness to do so is crucial. Here, we show the producer’s perspective on adopting biochar, using Polish farmers as a case study. Poland is an interesting case study because biochar has only recently attracted the attention of researchers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders there. We performed standardized, semi-structured interviews with 161 Polish farmers to evaluate the socioeconomic potential of biochar application in practice. We found that 27% of the respondents claimed to be familiar with biochar. The respondents with a technical, non-agricultural level of education were most familiar with the term ‘biochar’ (36%), followed by the group of respondents with a higher-level agricultural education (31%). It was surprising that among the latter respondents, the majority (69%) did not know the term ‘biochar’, either in the context used for this study or in any other context. Twenty percent of the respondents expressed an interest in using biochar, while 43% were not willing to adopt it in their agricultural practice (37% ‘did not know yet’). If a farmer was familiar with the concept of sustainable agriculture, the probability of familiarity with biochar increased by 16% (p < 0.05). In addition, farmers interested in using biochar indicated that sustainable agriculture might improve the financial situation of their farms (52%). The perceived benefits of biochar that drive the willingness to adopt it included improved soil quality and increased income due to increased yields, while the constraints on its adoption were associated mainly with high costs. Our results also point to the necessity of information flow as well as engaging farmers in participatory research to adjust the research to their needs. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of transparency with the farmers and appropriate dissemination and presentation of both the positive and the negative aspects of biochar adoption. We urge those studying biochar to engage in more interdisciplinary research and to go beyond laboratory and field research. Many innovations, even those that work, will not be adopted if socioeconomic considerations are not incorporated into the research

A reconnaissance-scale GIS-based multicriteria decision analysis to support sustainable biochar use: Poland as a case study

Although increasing numbers of research papers regarding biochar are being published worldwide, in some countries growing interest in biochar has only recently been observed; this is true of Poland. We analysed information on biochar research in Poland alongside lessons learned elsewhere in order to identify the significant opportunities and risks associated with biochar use. This data fed into a GIS-based multicriteria analysis to identify areas where biochar application could deliver greatest benefit. We found that 21.8% of agricultural land in Poland has at least moderate indication for biochar use (soil organic matter below 2% and pH below 5.5), while 1.5% was categorized as a priority as it also exhibited contamination. Potential barriers identified included biomass availability and associated risks of indirect land-use change due to possible national and transnational biomass production displacement. Biochar use could have positive global consequences as a climate change mitigation strategy, particularly relevant in a country with limited alternatives. Scaling up a mitigation technology that is viable on account of its co-benefits might be cost-effective, which could, in turn, adjust national perspectives and stronger involvement in developing mitigation policies at the regional level. Biochar has much promise in temperate conditions and further research should therefore be assigned to explore biochar’s environmental and socio-economic impacts

Structure and level of investment expenditures and the work efficiency in agricultural activities in the Małopolskie province

The purpose of the study was to determine the scale and importance of the investments in technical production inputs in the form of replacement value of the machine park, made in agricultural activities with regard to improvement of their productivity. The study was carried with regard to the period between 2011-2016. The scope of the thesis referred to 30 individual farms located within the territory of the Małopolskie province. The studies carried out proved a positive impact of the investment expenditures with regard to the replacement value of the machine park on the increase in work efficiency in agriculture

Zarządzanie łańcuchem dostaw w przedsiębiorstwie produkcyjnym

The purpose of the supply chain management is to ensure a competitive advantage as well as specific added value for the benefit of all supply chain links. Appropriate management practices generate many benefits, allow for savings in particular segments of the supply chain by means of cost reduction, which in turn directly leads to the competitiveness of enterprises belonging to a specific chain. The above-mentioned issues have become the subject of this thesis. Therefore, the British American Tobacco distribution network is strategically analyzed. A location and number of distribution centers will be i.a. taken into account. Reduction in the number of distribution centers will be suggested in order to reduce logistics costs in the supply chain, i.e. transport and storage. The studies were carried out based on the analysis of flows and route planning of the logistics operator for the transport of the company's products.Celem pracy jest przeprowadzenie analizy strategicznej sieci dystrybucyjnej firmy British American Tobacco. Pod uwagę brana będzie lokalizacja oraz liczba centrów dystrybucyjnych. Zaproponowana zostanie redukcja ilości centrów dystrybucyjnych w celu zmniejszenia kosztów logistycznych w łańcuchu dostaw tj. transportu oraz magazynowania. Badania przeprowadzono w oparciu o analizę przepływów i planowania tras realizowanych przez operatora logistycznego dla przewozu produktów firmy

The Review of Biomass Potential for Agricultural Biogas Production in Poland

Adequate management of biomass residues generated by agricultural and food industry can reduce their negative impacts on the environment. The alternative use for agricultural waste is production of biogas. Biomass feedstock intended as a substrate for the agricultural biogas plants may include energy crops, bio-waste, products of animal and plant origin and organic residues from food production. This study reviews the potential of selected biomass residues from the agri-food industry in terms of use for agricultural biogas production in Poland. The most common agri-food residues used as substrates for biogas plants in Poland are maize silage, slurry, and distillery waste. It is important that the input for the agricultural biogas installations can be based on local wastes and co-products that require appropriate disposal or storage conditions and might be burdensome for the environment. The study also discusses several limitations that might have an unfavourable impact regarding biogas plants development in Poland. Given the estimated biomass potential, the assumptions defining the scope of use of agricultural biogas and the undeniable benefits provided by biogas production, agricultural biogas plants should be considered as a promising branch of sustainable electricity and thermal energy production in Poland, especially in rural areas

Wpływ obróbki pozbiorowej i przechowywania bulw ziemniaka na akumulację toksycznych związków

Despite a long-term reduction trend, the potato production in Poland compared to EU countries is still very high. Therefore, the aim of the paper was to investigate the impact of mechanical damages and light for various genotypes on glycoalkaloids accumulation. Glycoalkaloids are toxic steroid glycosides that naturally occur in the family of Solanaceae. According to many authors, their presence in plants is related to resistance to a physiological stress inflicted by mechanical damages and infections caused by some microorganisms and insects. The TGA content above 200 mg·kg-1 in a fresh mass of potatoes is an upper limit that guarantees health safety of food. Studies were carried out on 28 potato cultivars divided into 4 groups. The studies that were carried out after harvesting and after 5 months of storage in the experimental storage room in the temperature of 8°C showed an impact of damages and exposition to light of potato tubers on the content of glycoalkaloids.Mimo wieloletniego trendu spadkowego, produkcja ziemniaków w Polsce jest, na tle krajów UE, w dalszym ciągu bardzo wysoka, dlatego celem pracy było zbadanie wpływu uszkodzeń mechanicznych i działania światła dla różnych genotypów na akumulację glikoalkaloidów. Glikoalkaloidy są toksycznymi glikozydami sterydowymi naturalnie występującymi w rodzinie Solanacea. Zdaniem wielu autorów ich obecność w roślinach wiąże się z odpornością na stres fizjologiczny wywołany uszkodzeniami mechanicznymi oraz infekcjami spowodowanymi przez niektóre mikroorganizmy i owady. Zawartość TGA powyżej 200 mg/kg w świeżej masie ziemniaków stanowi górną granicę gwarantującą bezpieczeństwo zdrowotne żywności. Badania przeprowadzono na 28 odmianach ziemniaka podzielonych na 4 grupy. Badania przeprowadzone po zbiorze i po 5 miesiącach przechowywania w przechowalni doświadczalnej w temperaturze 8ºC wykazały wpływ uszkodzeń i ekspozycji na światło bulw ziemniaka na zawartość glikoalkaloidów

Praktyczne możliwości wykorzystania zanieczyszczeń zbożowych w przetwórstwie surowców tłuszczowych i olejowych w przedsiębiorstwach przemysłu olejowo-tłuszczowego

The analysis of statistical data showed that a large amount of plant waste is generated annually in oil and fat production plants, which must be processed and reused. The paper analyzes the problems of reusing sunflower oil production waste, which is characterized by a relatively high energy value: 1 ton of plant waste is equivalent to 0.625 tons of conventional fuel. According to the mathematical estimation, the actual total amount of impurities is 7.29%, in which major impurities constitute 25.7%. Studies have shown a high probability of oil - containing impurities - 37.25%. Therefore, it is recommended to process such impurities into fuel briquettes and technical oil to increase the profitability of sunflower oil production. For example, at the annual load of technological equipment of the Melitopol Oil Extraction Plant, in 250 days, at a daily processing capacity of 550 t day-1, an annual profit of 560,000 EUR is obtainable from the sunflower grain impurities processed into fuel and technical oil.Analiza danych statystycznych wykazała, że w przedsiębiorstwach przemysłu olejowo-tłuszczowego corocznie powstaje duża ilość odpadów roślinnych, co wymaga ich przetworzenia i wykorzystania. Cechą tego typu odpadów jest stosunkowo wysoka wartość energetyczna, dzięki czemu 1 tona odpadów roślinnych odpowiada 0,625 tony konwencjonalnego paliwa. Zgodnie z oczekiwaniem matematycznym rzeczywista całkowita ilość zanieczyszczeń wynosi 7,29%, z czego obecność dużych zanieczyszczeń wynosi 25,7%. Jako część całkowitej ilości zanieczyszczeń, matematyczne oczekiwanie zawartości oleju w zanieczyszczeniach wynosi 37,25%. Dlatego wskazane jest przerabianie takich zanieczyszczeń zbożowych na paliwa i olej techniczny. Badania wykazały, że przy rocznym obciążeniu urządzeń technologicznych Wytwórni Oleju Melitopol w ciągu 250 dni przy dobowym przerobie oleju słonecznikowego 550 t doba-1 możliwe jest uzyskanie rocznego zysku z przerobu zanieczyszczeń zbożowych na paliwo i techniczne olej w ilości 560 000 EUR

Analiza oparta na badaniach postrzegania przez młode pokolenie zrównoważonego rozwoju w Polsce

Understanding the perception of Sustainable Development can help to identify misconceptions surrounding the concept in order to design better education plans and public policies on this subject. Evaluating the perception of sustainability issues by focusing on the young generation as is an important proxy to imagine what the future holds for in terms of addressing sustainable development. We conducted 177 in-person interviews on a heterogeneous group of students and random volunteers in four cities in Poland to assess their perception of Sustainable Development. The vast majority (89.3%) of the respondents were familiar with the term 'Sustainable Development'. However, part of them (57%) associated it only to the human and social development dimensions and its institutions, whereas 17.5% related it with its environmental aspects. The results supported by the literature review highlight challenges concerning the path towards a comprehensive perception of Sustainable Development and hence the achievement of the SDGs. Based on these results, we identify opportunities and incentives to bring Poland towards 2030 Agenda.Zrozumienie postrzegania zrównoważonego rozwoju może pomóc w zidentyfikowaniu błędnych przekonań dotyczących tej koncepcji w celu opracowania lepszych planów edukacyjnych i polityk publicznych w tym zakresie. Ocena postrzegania kwestii zrównoważonego rozwoju poprzez skupienie się na młodym pokoleniu, jako ważny wskaźnik pozwalający wyobrazić sobie, co przyniesie przyszłość w zakresie rozwiązywania kwestii zrównoważonego rozwoju. Przeprowadziliśmy 177 wywiadów osobistych na niejednorodnej grupie studentów i przypadkowych wolontariuszy w czterech miastach w Polsce, aby ocenić ich postrzeganie zrównoważonego rozwoju. Zdecydowana większość (89,3%) respondentów zna termin „zrównoważony rozwój”. Jednak część z nich (57%) kojarzyła go tylko z wymiarem rozwoju ludzkiego i społecznego oraz jego instytucji, a 17,5% z aspektami środowiskowymi. Wyniki poparte przeglądem literatury podkreślają wyzwania dotyczące ścieżki do wszechstronnego postrzegania zrównoważonego rozwoju, a tym samym osiągnięcia celów zrównoważonego rozwoju. Na podstawie tych wyników identyfikujemy szanse i zachęty do zbliżenia Polski do Agendy 2030

Perception-Based Study on the Value of Nature to People and Land Sparing for Nature in Brazil and Poland

Understanding perception about nature is paramount to understanding human behavior and decision making on the environment. We performed a survey-based study in Brazil and Poland to better understand the perception of land sparing for nature and the perceived value of nature. The countries were selected by intentional sampling and given their importance for local and global biodiversity conservation, and complex socio-ecological context of conservation versus agroforestry business. We performed an online questionnaire (N = 1030) in Brazil and face-to-face interviews in Poland (N = 322). We found that Brazilian respondents demonstrated more pro-environmental attitudes than Polish survey participants. Regarding the question: &ldquo;How much nature that is left should be spared?&rdquo;, nearly 51% of Brazilians answered &ldquo;everything&rdquo;, compared with 13% of Polish respondents. Just under half of the respondents from Poland (45.6%) indicated that half of the nature that is left should be spared. Brazilian respondents also perceived the intrinsic value of nature to a greater extent compared with Polish respondents; in total, 76% of Brazilians respondents entirely agreed that &ldquo;Nature, its plants and animals have a value on their own, independent of their usefulness for us&rdquo; versus 25% of Polish respondents. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the leverage points driving pro-environmental attitudes in both countries