CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2017
| Author | Lekan, Malgorzata |
|---|---|
| Title | Closing the nutrient loop? Challenges and opportunities for up-scaling of recycling principles within the conventional and organic farming sector Case study: Poland |
| Summary | The current trends in the Polish agricultural sector concern farm enlargement and specialization in either crops or livestock, which are usually accompanied by intensive farming practices that involve reliance on synthetic fertilizers and concentrate feeds, the latter one being produced to feed increasingly concentrated livestock populations. The heavy nutrient loadings associated therewith tip the ecological balance and have far-reaching implications manifested in soil depletion, water pollution, biodiversity loss and limited adaptability to unpredictable economic climate and weather conditions. However, by re-introducing ‘recycling principles’, i.e. recouple crops and livestock, diversify crops with leguminous plants, and balance livestock units to acreage ratio, it would be possible to restore nutrient balance. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to explore limitations and opportunities for up-scaling such ‘recycling principles’ within the Polish conventional and organic farming sector, whereby the latter one is likewise becoming greatly rationalized. By adopting the multi-level perspective theory, which frames findings from review of literature, interviews and group discussions; this thesis explores how wider historical, socio-environmental, institutional and technological setting of the Polish agriculture, combined with values and beliefs of interviewed stakeholders, can influence scaling of recycling principles on the farm or territorial level. It concludes that while the spatial segregation of farms and globalization constitute the key challenges; by recognizing recycling principles at EU level and engaging stakeholders across the food production chain in policy-making, it would be possible to rethink nutrient management in a cooperative way, and potentially create a window of opportunity for up-scaling of recycling principles. |
| Supervisor | Dr Guntra Aistara |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy MSc |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2017/lekan_malgorzata.pdf |
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