SUSTAINABLE FARMING

This research brings together teams from the social and natural sciences to consider the sustainability of Scotland’s farming systems.

It will provide an evaluation of the responses to particular policies, initiatives and instruments. It will also provide predictions for the policy formation process.

Programme of Work

The aim of this research is to gain an improved understanding of the sustainability of Scotland’s farming systems and to use this improved understanding to inform both policy and practice.  Delivery of this work package is organised into four modules:

Multi-Sectoral Analysis:

This work assesses the sustainability of Scotland’s principal farming systems from a socio-economic perspective.  Projects investigate the current state of farming systems, the drivers of change and the issues prioritised by stakeholders, the effects of stakeholder behaviour and agri-food supply chains on sustainability and modelling the effects of policy change.

Farming-Systems Modelling:

This explores the nature of the key trade-offs between the multiple, conflicting and non-commensurable aspects of sustainability at the management unit scale. This involves an investigation into the implications of novel enterprises, management regimens and technologies. Farming systems will also be considered as sources or sinks of greenhouse gases and the adaptations required in the face of climate change. It will also assess the resilience of cropping and livestock based enterprises.

Stakeholder Communication:

This builds on existing initiatives where researchers and stakeholders have engaged in mutual knowledge exchange.  The projects: investigate KT best practice and infrastructures ; inform the debate on sustainability, particularly the desirability of alternative futures and the trade-offs necessary and undertake research-based activities that effect change.

Integrated assessment:

Combines natural and social science perspectives to investigate issues where the key to policy- and practice-relevant outcomes is in understanding the interactions between biophysical and socio-economic systems.  It also explores the conceptual questions of how natural and social science can be integrated.  Farming systems will be assessed as key elements within landscapes, particularly the effects on farming systems of institutions intended to deliver benefits at larger scale (e.g. the EU-WFD). An investigation into the environmental effects of CAP and related policy changes particularly for low input or organic farming systems will be conducted.

 

Related Research Areas

Protection and Enhancement of Landscapes and Rural Communities