The Complex Pathway towards Farm-Level Sustainable Intensification: An Exploratory Network Analysis of Stakeholders’ Knowledge and Perception

The Complex Pathway towards Farm-Level Sustainable Intensification: An Exploratory Network Analysis of Stakeholders’ Knowledge and Perception

Farm-level sustainable intensification of agriculture (SIA) has become an important concept to ensuring food security while minimising negative externalities. However, progress towards its achievement is often constrained by the different perceptions and goals of various stakeholders that affect far...

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Main Authors: Evgenia Micha, Owen Fenton, Karen Daly, Gabriella Kakonyi, Golnaz Ezzati, Thomas Moloney, Steven Thornton
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-03-01
Series:Sustainability
Subjects:
sustainable intensification
stakeholder views
fuzzy cognitive mapping
mental models
network analysis
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/7/2578
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spelling doaj-1fafa62a84b3437f867c4e958145557b2020-11-25T03:10:06ZengMDPI AGSustainability2071-10502020-03-01127257810.3390/su12072578su12072578The Complex Pathway towards Farm-Level Sustainable Intensification: An Exploratory Network Analysis of Stakeholders’ Knowledge and PerceptionEvgenia Micha0Owen Fenton1Karen Daly2Gabriella Kakonyi3Golnaz Ezzati4Thomas Moloney5Steven Thornton6Countryside and Community Research Institute, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham GL50 4AZ, UKEnvironment, Soils and Land Use Department, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Y35 W821 Wexford, IrelandEnvironment, Soils and Land Use Department, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Y35 W821 Wexford, IrelandGroundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HQ, UKEnvironment, Soils and Land Use Department, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Y35 W821 Wexford, IrelandEnvironment, Soils and Land Use Department, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Y35 W821 Wexford, IrelandGroundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HQ, UKFarm-level sustainable intensification of agriculture (SIA) has become an important concept to ensuring food security while minimising negative externalities. However, progress towards its achievement is often constrained by the different perceptions and goals of various stakeholders that affect farm management decisions. This study examines farm-level SIA as a dynamic system with interactive components that are determined by the interests of the stakeholders involved. A systems thinking approach was used to identify and describe the pathways towards farm-level SIA across the three main pillars of sustainability. An explanatory network analysis of fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) that were collectively created by representative groups of farmers, farm advisors and policy makers was performed. The study shows that SIA is a complex dynamic system, affected by cognitive beliefs and particular knowledge within stakeholder groups. The study concludes that, although farm-level SIA is a complex process, common goals can be identified in collective decision making.https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/7/2578sustainable intensificationstakeholder viewsfuzzy cognitive mappingmental modelsnetwork analysis
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Evgenia Micha
Owen Fenton
Karen Daly
Gabriella Kakonyi
Golnaz Ezzati
Thomas Moloney
Steven Thornton
spellingShingle Evgenia Micha
Owen Fenton
Karen Daly
Gabriella Kakonyi
Golnaz Ezzati
Thomas Moloney
Steven Thornton
The Complex Pathway towards Farm-Level Sustainable Intensification: An Exploratory Network Analysis of Stakeholders’ Knowledge and Perception
Sustainability
sustainable intensification
stakeholder views
fuzzy cognitive mapping
mental models
network analysis
author_facet Evgenia Micha
Owen Fenton
Karen Daly
Gabriella Kakonyi
Golnaz Ezzati
Thomas Moloney
Steven Thornton
author_sort Evgenia Micha
title The Complex Pathway towards Farm-Level Sustainable Intensification: An Exploratory Network Analysis of Stakeholders’ Knowledge and Perception
title_short The Complex Pathway towards Farm-Level Sustainable Intensification: An Exploratory Network Analysis of Stakeholders’ Knowledge and Perception
title_full The Complex Pathway towards Farm-Level Sustainable Intensification: An Exploratory Network Analysis of Stakeholders’ Knowledge and Perception
title_fullStr The Complex Pathway towards Farm-Level Sustainable Intensification: An Exploratory Network Analysis of Stakeholders’ Knowledge and Perception
title_full_unstemmed The Complex Pathway towards Farm-Level Sustainable Intensification: An Exploratory Network Analysis of Stakeholders’ Knowledge and Perception
title_sort complex pathway towards farm-level sustainable intensification: an exploratory network analysis of stakeholders’ knowledge and perception
publisher MDPI AG
series Sustainability
issn 2071-1050
publishDate 2020-03-01
description Farm-level sustainable intensification of agriculture (SIA) has become an important concept to ensuring food security while minimising negative externalities. However, progress towards its achievement is often constrained by the different perceptions and goals of various stakeholders that affect farm management decisions. This study examines farm-level SIA as a dynamic system with interactive components that are determined by the interests of the stakeholders involved. A systems thinking approach was used to identify and describe the pathways towards farm-level SIA across the three main pillars of sustainability. An explanatory network analysis of fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) that were collectively created by representative groups of farmers, farm advisors and policy makers was performed. The study shows that SIA is a complex dynamic system, affected by cognitive beliefs and particular knowledge within stakeholder groups. The study concludes that, although farm-level SIA is a complex process, common goals can be identified in collective decision making.
topic sustainable intensification
stakeholder views
fuzzy cognitive mapping
mental models
network analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/7/2578
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