Records |
Author |
Finizola e Silva, M.; Van Passel, S. |
Title |
Climate-Smart Agriculture in the Northeast of Brazil: An Integrated Assessment of the Aquaponics Technology |
Type |
A1 Journal Article |
Year |
2020 |
Publication |
Sustainability |
Abbreviated Journal |
Sustainability-Basel |
Volume |
12 |
Issue |
9 |
Pages |
3734 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal Article; aquaponics; Aquaponova; Brazil; semi-arid region; food insecurity; cost–benefit analysis; socio-economic approach; climate-smart agriculture; Engineering Management (ENM) ; |
Abstract |
The purpose of this study is to determine if aquaponic systems can reduce food insecurity in the semi-arid regions of Brazil and generate income for the beneficiaries. Aquaponics is a potentially sustainable way to produce food based on gardening, hydroponics and aquaculture. A case study, based on a project called Aquaponova, was developed. The aquaponic systems currently used in the project are non-commercial and designed for households with limited resources. The data based on six existing systems within this project were used to compare the costs and the benefits. The cost–benefit analysis covers four scenarios and three financing options. The results show that aquaponic systems have a large potential and can reduce food insecurity in semi-arid regions while generating income for the beneficiaries. Even if the system only produces 40% of the total estimated production, the system will still be feasible. However, the low opportunity cost of labour is an essential factor for obtaining these positive results. Moreover, the social benefits, such as a community spirit and the health benefits of the system, should not be underestimated. |
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Thesis |
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Place of Publication |
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Editor |
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Language |
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Wos |
000537476200232 |
Publication Date |
2020-05-05 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
2071-1050 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
3.9 |
Times cited |
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Open Access |
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Notes |
We would like to express our gratitude to Francisco Fechine Borges who introduced Maíra Finizola e Silva the basics of aquaponics and gave her the opportunity to base her research on the data from the Aquaponova project. We would also like to thank the participants of the 2nd LA SDEWES conference in Buenos Aires (9–12 February 2020) for the useful comments and suggestions. |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 3.9; 2020 IF: 1.789 |
Call Number |
ENM @ enm @c:irua:170074 |
Serial |
6382 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Finizola e Silva, M.; Van Schoubroeck, S.; Cools, J.; Aboge, D.O.; Ouma, M.; Olweny, C.; Van Passel, S. |
Title |
Local actors' perspectives on sustainable food value chains : evidence from a Q-methodology study in Kenya |
Type |
Administrative Services |
Year |
2024 |
Publication |
Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
14 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
36-51 |
Keywords |
Administrative Services; A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM) |
Abstract |
Governments and international organizations are increasingly determined to create more sustainable food value chains (SFVCs). However, only little empirical evidence is available on how SFVCs are understood. Enquiring African food value chain actors allows gathering valuable insights into their perception of sustainability, which characteristics of sustainable food value chains they prioritize, and which obstacles to a sustainable transformation they identify. By means of a Q-methodology involving interviews with 33 Kenyan respondents, four perspectives were distinguished. The first perspective, “economic productivity and growth,” prioritizes economic growth and has only limited attention to the social dimension of sustainability. The second perspective, “food security and food availability,” believes that ensuring food security should be the key goal of SFVCs. The third perspective, “environment first,” is dedicated to the environmental dimension of sustainability; the perspective implies that protecting natural resources is the primary way to sustain this level of production. The fourth perspective, “transformative knowledge,” entails that by innovating and sharing knowledge, food value chains can become more sustainable in different areas. Overall, this study provides reliable insights into how Kenyan food value chain actors perceive sustainability in their sector and which elements they believe should be prioritized when rethinking food systems. The study results are valuable for policy-making to further define an SFVC in Kenya and to pave the way for a sustainable transformation of the food sector in developing countries. |
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Wos |
001063371200001 |
Publication Date |
2023-09-11 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
2190-6483 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record |
Impact Factor |
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Times cited |
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Open Access |
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Notes |
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Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:199200 |
Serial |
9210 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Finizola e Silva, M.; Cools, J.; Cools, J.; Van Passel, S. |
Title |
A systematic review identifying the drivers and barriers to the adoption of climate-smart agriculture by smallholder farmers in Africa |
Type |
Administrative Services |
Year |
2024 |
Publication |
Frontiers in environmental economics |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
3 |
Issue |
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Pages |
1356335-14 |
Keywords |
Administrative Services; A3 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM) |
Abstract |
Climate change impact, food security concerns, and greenhouse gas emissions are pressuring agricultural production systems in developing countries. There is a need for a shift toward sustainable food systems. One of the concepts introduced to drive this shift is climate-smart agriculture (CSA), endorsed by international organizations to address multifaceted challenges. Despite widespread attention and support, the adoption of CSA among African farmers remains low. This systematic literature review aims to shed light on the factors influencing CSA adoption amongst African farmers. Within the articles identified as relevant, over 50 CSA practices and more than 40 factors influencing CSA adoption were distinguished. These influencing factors can be categorized as personal, farm- related, financial, environmental, and informational. The focus of this review is to identify and explain the overall impact (positive, negative, or mixed) of these factors on CSA adoption. Overall, many factors result in mixed effects, only some factors have an unambiguous positive or negative effect on CSA adoption. For instance, educational level emerges as a key personal factor, positively impacting CSA adoption, along with positive influences from farmers’ experience and farm size among farm-related factors. Financial factors reveal distinct patterns, with income from farming and access to credit positively influencing adoption, while off-farm income exhibits a negative effect. Environmental factors, though less researched, indicate positive impacts related to changes in rainfall patterns, temperature, and droughts. Lastly, informational factors consistently exhibit a positive effect on CSA adoption, with training, access to extension, group memberships, climate information, and CSA awareness playing crucial roles. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers seeking to enhance CSA adoption in Africa, offering a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted dynamics at play. |
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Wos |
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Publication Date |
2024-04-03 |
Series Editor |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
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ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record |
Impact Factor |
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Times cited |
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Open Access |
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Notes |
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Approved |
Most recent IF: NA |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:205017 |
Serial |
9233 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Van Oijstaeijen, W.; Finizola e Silva, M.; Back, P.; Collins, A.; Verheyen, K.; De Beelde, R.; Cools, J.; Van Passel, S. |
Title |
The Nature Smart Cities business model : a rapid decision-support and scenario analysis tool to reveal the multi-benefits of green infrastructure investments |
Type |
Administrative Services |
Year |
2023 |
Publication |
Urban forestry & urban greening |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
84 |
Issue |
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Pages |
127923-14 |
Keywords |
Administrative Services; A1 Journal article; Art; Engineering Management (ENM) |
Abstract |
Incorporating natural spaces within urban areas has been shown to have multiple benefits. However, despite greening and adaptation strategies at different levels of government, progress remains slow with a lack of easy to use and comprehensive tools identified as key to overcoming this. This paper presents a co-designed tool with academic and local authority partners to demonstrate the ecosystem service benefits of small-scale urban green infrastructure projects. Through the tool, users can readily assess the impact of green infrastructure investments on the delivery of a selection of ecosystem services in the early stages of a project. Furthermore, the tool provides a standardised assessment of cultural ecosystem services' contributions, as well as offering a method to score spatial designs on the impact on habitat for biodiversity. Use of the tool is demonstrated using a pilot study in Kapelle, the Netherlands. The results set out an overview of the impacts of the spatial design on estimated ecosystem service delivery. They also show the tool's potential to add value in early project stages and as a planning and design tool, helping to maximise the benefits that can be achieved through green infrastructure design. Complementing these arguments with ball-park estimations on green infrastructure costs, the Nature Smart Cities Business Model aims to offer public sector officers the means to create a business case for green infrastructure measures, facilitating the translation from strategies to actual plans, thus benefitting green infrastructure implementation in the public realm. |
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Wos |
000982199900001 |
Publication Date |
2023-04-11 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1618-8667 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
6.4 |
Times cited |
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Open Access |
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Notes |
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Approved |
Most recent IF: 6.4; 2023 IF: 2.113 |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:196748 |
Serial |
9235 |
Permanent link to this record |