SABIIA - Sistema Aberto e Integrado de Informação em Agricultura (Sabiia)

URL: http://orgprints.org/5/1/Towards_a_systemic_research_methodology_preprint_11sep01.pdf

The recent drastic development of agriculture, together with the growing societal interest in agricultural practices and their consequences, pose a challenge to agricultural science. There is a need for rethinking the general methodology of agricultural research. This paper takes some steps towards developing a systemic research methodology that can meet this challenge – a general self-reflexive methodology that forms a basis for doing holistic or (with a better term) wholeness-oriented research and provides appropriate criteria of scientific quality. From a philosophy of research perspective, science is seen as an interactive learning process with both a cognitive and a social communicative aspect. This means, first of all, that science plays a role in...

Tipo: Journal paper

Palavras-chave: Research methodology and philosophy Values; Standards and certification.

Ano: 2002

Why have basic principles for organic agriculture? … and what kind of principles should they be?

URL: http://orgprints.org/2538/1/Alroe_and_Kristensen_2004_Basic_principles_for_organic_agriculture.pdf

Recently, discussions of basic principles for organic agriculture (and similar ideas) have emerged in several different settings (Benbrook & Kirschenmann 1997, DARCOF 2001, Lund & Röcklinsberg 2001, Verhoog & al. 2003, this issue of Ecology & Farming). In this article we discuss the purposes and functions of such principles and what the principles should look like in order to meet these purposes. We state that there is a need for identifying a few basic principles for organic agriculture, and that the principles must be normative, or ethical, principles on how to act in an organic way, if organic farming is to continue as a distinct alternative to mainstream agriculture. We argue that basic normative principles can help resist unwanted...

Tipo: Journal paper

Palavras-chave: Values; Standards and certification "Organics" in general.

Ano: 2004

Synthesis: prospects for organic agriculture in a global context

Halberg, Niels; Alrøe, Hugo Fjelsted; Kristensen, Erik Steen.

As discussed by Knudsen et al. (Chapter 1) there is a rapid development in the global food chains towards increased trade and competition over long distances and very large corporate retail chains taking control over large parts of food trade. This global competition leads to a downward price pressure and demands for large volumes, standardisation, specialisation and high production efficiency and productivity for agricultural systems all over the world. This industrialisation of the agricultural sector leads to increased externalities in terms of emissions of nutrients and pesticides, loss of biodiversity and reduced animal welfare. Moreover, even though food production has increased significantly over the last decades and most countries engage in the...

Tipo: Book chapter

Palavras-chave: "Organics" in general.

Ano: 2006

URL: http://orgprints.org/6277/1/6277.pdf

Values in organic farming and their implications

In the process of planning new research in organic farming in Denmark, various issues concerning the principles of organic farming and its future development have come out for discussion. The new research is intended to be pro-active and forward-looking, and help to promote organic farming and a sustainable development of agriculture in general. These objectives can, however, only be fully satisfied if a degree of consensus is reached on the aims and principles of organic farming. We suggest that three general principles of action and development can be set out, the cyclical principle, the precautionary principle and the nearness principle. Given that there are such special principles of acting in organic farming, how well are these expressed in practice?

Researching alternative, sustainable agricultural systems: A modelling approach by examples from Denmark

Palavras-chave: Technology assessment Values; Standards and certification.

Ano: 2001

URL: http://orgprints.org/17/1/Alroe_EurSafe_2001.pdf

URL: http://orgprints.org/209/1/Researching_alternative_sustainable_agricultural_systems__fra_phd__17mar00.pdf

In recent decades agriculture has undergone rapid technological and structural changes. This development has raised concerns about the sustainability of modern agriculture and motivated an interest in alternative and, perhaps, more sustainable agricultural systems. Agriculture involves both ecological and social systems, and research in agricultural systems therefore faces the dual challenge of understanding complex agro-ecosystem interactions and handling the involvement of human actors, their practices and preferences. A major survey to assess the consequences of phasing out pesticide use in Denmark is presented as an example of a study confronting this dual challenge. The survey included the modelling of a total organic conversion of Danish agriculture,...

Tipo: Book chapter

Palavras-chave: Food systems; Research methodology and philosophy.

Ano: 2001

Research, values, and ethics in organic agriculture - examples from sustainability, precaution, nature quality, and animal welfare

Agricultural systems are characterised by involving both natural and social systems. Organic farming, in particular, has developed as part of a wider organic movement incorporating producers, manufacturers and consumers. The organic movement is based on explicit rules as well as broader formulated principles and goals for farming and manufacturing, which are connected to underlying values and perceptions of the relationship between human and nature. This paper is concerned with the challenges to research entailed by the ethical issues in organic farming and the interplay of values and facts in agricultural research.

URL: http://orgprints.org/9151/1/2000%2DAlroe_and_Kristensen_%2D_Research%2C_values_and_ethics_in_organic_agriculture._Extended_abstract_for_Eursafe_2000_15jun00_(med_figurer%2C_enkelt_linie_til_print).pdf

Palavras-chave: Research methodology and philosophy Values; Standards and certification Health and welfare.

Ano: 2000

CORE Organic country report. Report on Danish Research in Organic Food and Farming. December 2005

Andreasen, Claus Bo; Kristensen, Erik Steen.

The aim of the country report is to present an overview of Danish research in organic food and farming. The overview includes descriptions of History, Organisation , Research programmes, Financing, Research facilities, Initiation of research and stakeholder engagement, Selection criteria and evaluation procedures, Utilisation of research, Scientific education & research schools

Tipo: Book chapter

Palavras-chave: Policy environments and social economy; Knowledge management; Research communication and quality; Denmark.

Ano: 2006

URL: http://orgprints.org/8786/1/andreasen%2Dkristensen%2D2006%2Dresearch%2Ddk.pdf

Research to support development of organic food and farming

Watson, Christine; Alrøe, Hugo; Kristensen, Erik Steen.

Agriculture and organic agriculture in particular are developing rapidly, due not only to technological change but also to changes in agricultural policy and public expectation. Research allows new knowledge to be developed and is thus vital for the future of organic agriculture. We can ask the question, what is the purpose of research on organic farming? Is it to increase yield and productivity, to compare it with other forms of agriculture, or to quantify its environmental and social impact, minimise the adverse effects and maximise the benefits etc? The answer is of course that research has a role to play in all of these and many other aspects of developing the organic food chain. The precise purpose of the research is usually defined by the funder, and...

Tipo: Book chapter

Palavras-chave: Research methodology and philosophy.

Ano: 2006

URL: http://orgprints.org/6280/1/Watson.pdf

Energy Utilization in Crop and Dairy Production in Organic and Conventional Livestock Production Systems

Refsgaard, Karen; Halberg, Niels; Kristensen, Erik Steen.

Searching for livestock production systems with a high energy utilization is of interest because of resource use and pollution aspects and because energy use is an indicator of the intensification of production processes. Due to interactions between crop and livestock enterprises and between levels of different input factors and their effects on yields, it is proposed to analyze agricultural energy utilization through system modelling of data from farm studies. Energy use in small grains, grass-clover and fodder beets registered in organic and conventional mixed dairy farms was analyzed and used together with crop yields in order to model energy prices on three Danish soil types. Conventional crop yields were higher but they also used more indirect energy...

Tipo: Journal paper

Palavras-chave: Environmental aspects Farming Systems Recycling; Balancing and resource management.

Ano: 1998

URL: http://orgprints.org/6189/1/6189.pdf

Investigating organic agriculture in a global perspective

The Danish Research Centre for Organic Farming has initiated a knowledge synthesis that will provide an overview of the potential role of organic agriculture in a global perspective. The investigation will be performed by a group of Danish experts from a wide range of relevant fields in cooperation with international experts, and it is to provide a basis for launching a new research effort in this area. Organic agriculture can be seen as a tangible effort to create a sustainable food production. But modern European organic agriculture is undergoing a technological and structural modernisation and it is faced with a growing globalisation. And, even though there are large differences, the same is true for agriculture in development countries. The knowledge...

URL: http://orgprints.org/2524/1/Alroe_and_Kristensen_2004_Investigating_organic_agriculture_in_a_global_perspective.pdf

Palavras-chave: Food systems; "Organics" in general.

Ano: 2004

Does organic farming face distinctive livestock welfare issues? - A conceptual analysis

Alrøe, Hugo Fjelsted; Vaarst, Mette; Kristensen, Erik Steen.

The recent development and growth of organic livestock farming and the related development of national and international regulations has fuelled discussions among scientists and philosophers concerning the proper conceptualisation of animal welfare. These discussions on livestock welfare in organic farming draw on the conventional discussions and disputes on animal welfare, which involve issues such as different definitions of welfare (clinical health, absence of suffering, sum of positive and negative experiences, etc.), the possibility for objective measures of animal welfare and the acceptable level of welfare. It seems clear that livestock welfare is a value-laden concept and that animal welfare science cannot be made independent of questions of values...

Tipo: Journal paper

Palavras-chave: Values; Standards and certification Health and welfare.

Ano: 2001

URL: http://orgprints.org/430/1/Organic_welfare__preprint__5mar01.pdf

Approaches to assess the environmental impact of organic farming with particular regard to Denmark

Hansen, Birgitte; Alrøe, Hugo Fjelsted; Kristensen, Erik Steen.

Ever increasing attention is being paid to the environmental impact of intensive agricultural practices, and in this context organic farming is gaining recognition as a relatively friendly production system. In general, the risk of harmful environmental effects is lower with organic than with conventional farming methods, though not necessarily so. This review examines organic farming in the light of European conditions, with special regard to recent research findings from Denmark. It specifies the environmental problems caused by modern farming practices and discusses appropriate indicators for assessing their impact. A Driving Force-State-Response (DSR) framework is employed to organise and understand the processes and mechanisms that lie behind the...

Tipo: Journal paper

Palavras-chave: Nutrient turnover; Biodiversity and ecosystem services; Air and water emissions.

Ano: 2001

URL: http://orgprints.org/1025/1/Hansen_et_al_2001_Environmental_impact_of_organic_farming_postprint.pdf

Organic agriculture in a global perspective

Foreløbig evaluering af forskningsresultater i FØJO II

Organic agriculture is a tangible effort toward a more sustainable food production. However, modern European organic agriculture is faced with growing globalisation and it is undergoing a continuous technological and structural modernisation. And, even though there are large differences, the same is to some degree true for agriculture in developing countries. This chapter is the first step in an investigation of the role that organic agriculture may play in relation to sustainable development and global food security. We outline a global perspective on the development of organic food systems in consideration of different understandings of globalisation and sustainable development, as found in market liberalism, ecological economy and political ecology....

Tipo: Book chapter

Palavras-chave: "Organics" in general; Food systems.

Ano: 2006

URL: http://orgprints.org/3855/1/3855.pdf

Estimated N leaching losses for organic and conventional farming in Denmark

I dette notat gives der dels en oversigt over resultater fra FØJO II og en kort diskussion af resultaterne, dels en diskussion af rammerne for denne evaluering og for forskningsevalueringer generelt. Evalueringen er foreløbig i den forstand at der er mange muligheder for at uddybe og udvikle denne evaluering af FØJO II. Der er i dette notat lagt vægt på ikke blot at give en oversigt over de lettest tilgængelige resultater af forskningen i FØJO II, men også at beskrive hvad de angivne resultater indfanger og hvad de ikke indfanger med hensyn til en evaluering af hvor god forskningen i FØJO II har været. Som led heri gives en beskrivelse af de dilemmaer og valg der indgår i enhver forskningsevaluering. Ud over at give en oversigt over resultaterne i...

Tipo: Other

Palavras-chave: Research methodology and philosophy.

Ano: 2007

URL: http://orgprints.org/9305/1/Foreloebig_evaluering_af_FOEJO_II_30mar2007.pdf

Knudsen, Marie Trydeman; Kristensen, Ib Sillebak; Berntsen, Jørgen; Petersen, Bjørn Molt; Kristensen, Erik Steen.

The impact of organic compared to conventional farming practices on N leaching loss was studied for Danish mixed dairy and arable farms using an N balance approach based on representative data. On mixed dairy farms a simple N balance method was used to estimate N surplus and N leaching loss. On arable farms the simple N balance method was unreliable due to changes in the soil N pool. Consequently, the FASSET simulation model was used to estimate N surplus, N leaching loss and the changes in the soil N pool. The study found a lower N leaching loss from organic than conventional mixed dairy farms, primarily due to lower N inputs. On organic arable farms the soil N pool was increasing over years but the N leaching loss was comparable to conventional arable...

Tipo: Journal paper

Palavras-chave: Nutrient turnover; Farming Systems; Air and water emissions.

Ano: 2006

URL: http://orgprints.org/4637/1/4637.pdf

Food safety in an organic perspective

Kristensen, Erik Steen; Alrøe, Hugo Fjelsted; Hansen, Birgitte.

The holistic perspective of organic farming implies a broader conception of food safety that includes both product safety and agri-food system safety. The credibility of organic food can only be maintained if the organic agri-food system is developed in correspondence with the basic organic principles. In this way it will be possible to show the whole organic agri-food system as a safer alternative to conventional farming. Thereby trust will be supported in organic foods despite the sparse (and often unattainable) hard scientific evidence that organic food is healthier.

Future European market for organic products from ruminants

Palavras-chave: Food security; Food quality and human health Values; Standards and certification.

Ano: 2002

URL: http://orgprints.org/19/1/Summary_Organic_food_safety_24apr02.doc

Kristensen, Erik Steen; Thamsborg, Stig Milan.

The market for organic food is increasing in most Europe countries and it is expected to increase in the future. The present market share of organic food in European countries is however quite low (0-4%). The market shares are very different between countries. The highest market shares (3-4%) appear in Austria, Switzerland and Denmark. Market shares below 1% are seen in many other European countries. The market shares are also very different from product to product. Drinking milk/milk for consumption shows some of the highest market shares. Market shares for meat from ruminants and processed milk (i.e. cheese) are often considerable lower than for drinking milk/milking for consumption. The main barriers for increased organic sales can be identified...

Tipo: Book chapter

Palavras-chave: Markets and trade.

Ano: 2002

URL: http://orgprints.org/510/1/Future_European_market_for_organic_products.doc

Grundvandsbeskyttelse ved økologisk jordbrug

Hansen, Birgitte; Kristensen, Erik Steen.

Økologisk jordbrug udgør et samlet koncept, som både kombinerer stor dannelse af grundvand, pesticicforbud, mange positive miljøeffekter og merindtjening i landbrugserhvervet som følge af en merpris på produkterne. Økologisk jordbrug er derfor i mange tilfælde at foretrække frem for f.eks. skovrejsning eller pesticidfri dyrkning. Der er imidlertid problemer med at kunne forudsige kvælstofudvaskningen fra økologisk jordbrug især på grund af vanskeligheder med at kunne simulere udvaskningen fra forskellige typer græsmarker, som anvendes i stor udstrækning i økologisk jordbrug. Hvis der i grundvandsfølsomme områder stilles krav om pesticidfri dyrkning og at nitratkoncentrationen skal være under f.eks. 50 mg/l vurderes det, at disse krav vil kunne opfyldes...

Muligheder for forbedringer

Palavras-chave: Air and water emissions.

Ano: 2001

URL: http://orgprints.org/511/1/Grundvandsbeskyttelse_BGH.pdf

Vaarst, Mette; Kristensen, Erik Steen.

Den økologiske driftsform udspringer af en tankegang. Til denne tankegang knytter sig et sæt af overordnede intentioner og motiver. De overordnede tanker og mål med økologisk drift er beskrevet i kapitel 1 i nærværende rapport. Et af disse mål er "at sikre alle husdyr gode forhold, der er i overensstemmelse med deres naturlige adfærd og behov", og derved sikre en god dyrevelfærd. Dette mål har ikke en særlig fremtrædende plads i de overordnede målsætninger, og begrebet dyrevelfærd er tilsyneladende ikke tænkt tilstrækkeligt igennem specifikt i forhold til den økologiske driftsform. I kapitel 9 er det beskrevet, hvorvidt husdyrvelfærd i økologisk jordbrug er noget særligt. I nærværende kapitel gives først en opsummering af, dels interviewene i kapitel 2 og...

Tipo: Report chapter

Palavras-chave: Farming Systems; Health and welfare.

Ano: 2000

URL: http://orgprints.org/13755/1/13755.pdf

Values in organic farming and their implications

Research in organic farming should involve reflections on the values and aims of organic farming, and on how these values and aims correspond to the choices and delimitations that are a necessary part of making 'objective' research. Value discussions and value inquiry is an essential element in systemic research; this is not least true in relation to organic farming where the future development depends heavily on values that are, to some degree, unspecified and open to discussion.