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Higher Crop Yield Levels in the North Savo Region—Means and Challenges Indicated by Farmers and Their Close Stakeholders

Author

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  • Heikki Lehtonen

    (Bioeconomy Policies and Markets, Bioeconomy and Environment, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Latokartanonkaari 9, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Taru Palosuo

    (Management and Inventory of Carbon Cycles, Bioeconomy and Environment, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Latokartanonkaari 9, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Panu Korhonen

    (Milk Production, Bioeconomy and Environment, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Halolantie 31 A, FI-71750 Maaninka, Finland)

  • Xing Liu

    (Bioeconomy Policies and Markets, Bioeconomy and Environment, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Latokartanonkaari 9, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland)

Abstract

The sustainable intensification of farming systems is expected to increase food supply and reduce the negative environmental effects of agriculture. It is also seen as an effective adaptation and mitigation strategy in response to climate change. Our aim is to determine farmers’ and other stakeholders’ views on how higher crop yields can be achieved from their currently low levels. This was investigated in two stakeholder workshops arranged in North Savo, Finland, in 2014 and 2016. The workshop participants, who were organized in discussion groups, considered some agricultural policies to discourage the improvement of crop yields. Policy schemes were seen to support extensification and reduce the motivation for yield improvements. However, the most important means for higher crop yields indicated by workshop participants were improved soil conditions with drainage and liming, in addition to improved crop rotations, better sowing techniques, careful selection of cultivars and forage grass mixtures. Suggested solutions for improving both crop yields and farm income also included optimized use of inputs, focusing production at the most productive fields and actively developed farming skills and knowledge sharing. These latter aspects were more pronounced in 2016, suggesting that farmers’ skills are increasingly being perceived as important.

Suggested Citation

  • Heikki Lehtonen & Taru Palosuo & Panu Korhonen & Xing Liu, 2018. "Higher Crop Yield Levels in the North Savo Region—Means and Challenges Indicated by Farmers and Their Close Stakeholders," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-14, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:8:y:2018:i:7:p:93-:d:154469
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Palosuo, Taru & Hoffmann, Munir P. & Rötter, Reimund P. & Lehtonen, Heikki S., 2021. "Sustainable intensification of crop production under alternative future changes in climate and technology: The case of the North Savo region," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    2. Kärkkäinen, Leena & Lehtonen, Heikki & Helin, Janne & Lintunen, Jussi & Peltonen-Sainio, Pirjo & Regina, Kristiina & Uusivuori, Jussi & Packalen, Tuula, 2020. "Evaluation of policy instruments for supporting greenhouse gas mitigation efforts in agricultural and urban land use," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    3. Stanley Y. B. Huang & Shih-Chin Lee & Yue-Shi Lee, 2021. "Constructing an Adoption Model of Proactive Environmental Strategy: A Novel Quantitative Method of the Multi-Level Growth Curve Model," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(16), pages 1-9, August.
    4. Stanley Y. B. Huang & Kuei-Hsien Chen & Yue-Shi Lee, 2021. "How to Promote Medium-Sized Farms to Adopt Environmental Strategy to Achieve Sustainable Production during the COVID-19 Pandemic?," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-8, October.

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