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English farmers’ views on agroforestry and agroforestry scheme characteristics: A qualitative analysis of drivers and facilitators of engagement
No full textAgroforestry is increasingly recognised for its multifunctional benefits, including ecosystem service delivery, biodiversity enhancement, and landscape improvement. As interest in this type of agriculture grows within new agri-environment policies, understanding farmer preferences and barriers to agroforestry adoption becomes critical. This study explored farmer views on agroforestry practices and scheme characteristics through four focus groups with 24 participants in England. Thematic analysis identified four key themes: terminology, perceived benefits, barriers, and facilitators of adoption.
Farmers associated agroforestry with a range of farm-level and environmental benefits, such as shade for livestock, additional income streams, habitat creation, and cultural ecosystem services. However, adoption was constrained by concerns over financial viability, scheme inflexibility, and the mismatch between the long-term nature of tree planting and short-term policy cycles. Farmers also expressed uncertainty about how agroforestry fits within their role as food producers, and highlighted knowledge gaps around scheme requirements and tree management. Short-term tenancy agreements further limited participation.
Findings suggest that farmers are more likely to adopt agroforestry when support schemes are flexible, context-sensitive, and supported by trusted advisors. Trust in scheme providers, particularly those perceived as impartial and embedded within the farming community, was found to be a critical factor influencing engagement, especially given widespread scepticism toward government-led initiatives. Future policies should prioritise long-term support, facilitate peer-to-peer learning, and ensure that agroforestry practices complement farm operations and food production goals. By fostering trust, simplifying scheme processes, and aligning agroforestry with farmer identity, policy can more effectively support the transition to sustainable land management
An analysis of neglected and underutilised species integration in UK alternative food networks: a case study of Dorset
No full textThe global food system remains critically vulnerable due to an over-dependency on a narrow range of 12 staple crops and livestock breeds. This limited diversity increases exposure to climate shocks, biodiversity loss, and dietary restrictions. Moving beyond paradigms of sustainable intensification, this study explores the potential of neglected and underutilised species (NUS) to foster diversification and resilience. Utilising a qualitative case study approach in Dorset, UK, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and a photographic inventory exercise with 11 food system actors. Findings reveal strong intrinsic motivations among actors driven by wellbeing and ecological stewardship; however, NUS integration is significantly hindered by regulatory barriers, risk perception, and rigid definitions of ‘legitimate’ food. Wild venison is highlighted as an exemplar capable of supporting nutritional security, ecosystem services, and local livelihoods, aligning with UN SDGs 1, 2, 13, and 15. The findings highlight that unlocking the potential of NUS requires systemic interventions in policy, infrastructure, and knowledge systems rather than individual behaviour change alone, offering a vital pathway for food sovereignty and biodiversity conservation
Animals and food
No full textSince the 1960s, global demand for food animals has increased more than fivefold. In 2023 the estimated amount, by weight, of animals used for food production was around 364 mil- lion tonnes (FAO, 2023). This rise in animal- based food production and consumption has shifted geographically from the Global North to the Global South, particularly in populous Asian countries. Current debates on food and animal studies are inspired by more- than-human perspectives which recognise animals’ agency, vitality, and embodiment (Buller, 2014). However, there is a notice- able neglect of the burgeoning field of food and animal research in Asia. The objective of this entry is to broaden our understanding of food animal production, framed particularly through an Asian context. This argument begins by introducing relational thinking and methodologies derived from food and animal studies. It then proceeds to recognise various circumstances involving food animals, including meat production and transportation, as well as their utilisation for ceremonial and medical purposes
‘This disagreeable weed’: arable plant conservation may benefit from historical publication insights
Get PDFArable plants, such as Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), are the wild species that grow on cultivated land, having evolved alongside traditional low-intensity cropping practices. In Great Britain, approximately 150 species have been classified as arable plants, of which 54 have been recorded as threatened with extinction and at least seven as regionally extinct (i.e. extinct in GB) or extinct in the wil
An Evolutionary Game Analysis of Carbon Trading Mechanisms for Governments, Farmer Professional Cooperatives and Farmers
Get PDFFarmer professional cooperatives are the focus objects of agricultural carbon emission reduction; with the use of the advantages of scale economy and technology, one can promote the development of low-carbon agriculture. In order to study the influencing factors of agricultural carbon emission reduction on farmer professional cooperatives, we explore the interaction effects of carbon emission reduction behavior between farmer professional cooperatives and farmers under government interventions. This paper introduces a carbon transaction mechanism as well as reward and punishment polices into a tripartite evolutionary game model between farmer professional cooperatives, governments, and farmers. Based on the model, we identify a stable evolution strategy and perform simulation analysis. The results indicate that the carbon transaction mechanism can effectively suppress the negative effect of increased costs through higher revenues of the carbon transaction, and carbon prices above 60 CNY/ton enable cooperatives to reduce regional emissions. Higher revenues can promote positive carbon emission reduction behaviors of farmer professional cooperatives and farmers. The sharing ratio increases from 20% to 80%, and farmers gain additional benefits by cooperating in the farmer professional cooperative practices to reduce emissions. Rational regulation of carbon transaction price and quota can promote the participation of farmer professional cooperatives in carbon emission reduction practices and promote the farmers’ inclusion into farmer professional cooperatives
AC-TC back in black: Restoring environmental water in the Douro Basin, Spain
Get PDFAbatement costs (AC) and transaction costs (TC) are involved in motivating and implementing changes in public and private policies and programs. For example, Coase is best-known for his work on transaction costs, clearly stating that they matter. Both individual private and institutional public transaction costs are invested with abatement (production) costs to generate change through policy, program interventions, or incentives (e.g., regulation that minimizes or compensates those affected by smoke generated by neighbours). This compensation suggests some potential benefit to offset the losses caused by the negative event—funded, administered, monitored and possibly updated via abatement and transaction costs. Yet approaches to identifying, collecting data, measuring and describing abatement and transaction benefits remains missing from prior research. In fact, abatement or transaction benefits are almost unheard of. Because of this, standard benefit-cost analysis commonly used to economically evaluate and assess private and public investments does not feature in abatement or transaction cost research, limiting assessment and monitoring targets and a better understanding of more efficient future policy gains. As the demand and expectations for benefit-cost analysis grow in future to become more comprehensive and complex, finding ways to accommodate such analysis and test that approach is increasingly important globally. We describe such an attempt using a water management case study from northern Spain to show that not only is it possible to measure and report on coupled abatement and transaction benefits, but that prior theoretical interpretations may also be further explained and understood, providing private and public investment choices and water resource management narrative advantages
Using culture ‘omics to explore the microbial structure and function in an equid in vitro digestion model
No full textThe in vitro gas production system (GPS), developed to estimate degradation of ruminant feedstuffs, has been adapted for equine use. This study aimed to characterise the bacterial community profile and metabolome of donor faeces and faecal inoculum within the GPS when fermenting the same diet as faecal donors. Six Welsh ponies on identical diets were faecal donors with samples collected for microbiome profiling and system inoculation. Gas production (manual pressure transducer technique) was performed for 156 h with 2 replicate bottles from each donor harvested at 8,20,28 and 36 h. Faecal and inoculum samples were subject to PMAxx for viability PCR, 16S rRNA sequencing and 1H NMR metabonomics. Time in the GPS effected bacterial community profile, metabolic phenotype and predicted metabolic pathways. Collectively a system dysbiosis was observed at 8 h. End point metabolic profile was similar to the donor faeces but GP fibre degrading microbiota better reflected previously reported literature on rumen microbiota, rather than those found in horses. The GPS estimates dry matter digestibility similar to in vivo digestibility, resulting in a similar metabolic profile to donor faeces. However, the GPS either favours rumen dwelling microbiota or demonstrates functional microbial redundancy compared to the donor faeces of equids
Connections to trees in the countryside: exploring public perceptions of agroforestry as a future land management system in England
No full textAgroforestry is increasingly recognised as an approach to deliver multi-functional land use and provide a range of ecosystem services. In England, rural agroforestry is an important part of the government’s net-zero strategy. However, the adoption rate is lower than the policy targets with agroforestry currently accounting for around 1% of the total agricultural area in rural England. Significant landscape change is therefore yet to emerge. To ensure sustainable benefits and be socially acceptable, landscape changes should take into account stakeholder preferences. This study explores people’s connections with trees in the countryside and their perceptions of benefits and risks associated with increased agroforestry in England. We report the results of focus group discussions involving 32 people across two economically, geographically, and agronomically contrasting regions of England (Northumberland/Tyne and Wear in the Northeast, and Thames Valley in the Southeast). The participants articulated an appreciation and enjoyment of established trees in the landscape and referred to social, emotional, and physical connections. Agroforestry systems were seen as generally positive, providing more ecosystem services than disservices. The participants associated a number of environmental and social benefits with the increase in tree cover in the countryside. However, they also stressed the need to ensure that the right tree is planted in the right place so that agroforestry does not negatively impact on the landscape. Our results suggest that there is public support for increased agroforestry adoption, but the incentive schemes should be carefully designed to reflect stakeholder preferences and values and maximize public benefits
Royal Agricultural University - Research Seminar
No full textA lecture given in an RAU research seminar introducing the scientific method of J.W. Goethe and some examples from botanical studies in its application