A survey of 277 German participants demonstrates that a Product Carbon Footprint （PCF） label is not yet a suitable instrument for communication with consumers because of the lack of standardized PCF calculation with...A survey of 277 German participants demonstrates that a Product Carbon Footprint （PCF） label is not yet a suitable instrument for communication with consumers because of the lack of standardized PCF calculation within Europe. Most consumers do not understand either the PCF statement or the PCF calculation. The public message of a PCF label does not conform to the terms of sustainability. At first sight, PCF seems to be an opportunity to communicate the sustainability aspects of food to consumers, but too many different approaches to defining PCF exist in Europe. Additionally, the use of a ＂green＂ PCF label may distort trading conditions because of the lack of PCF-issuing authorities in accordance with World Trade Organization （WTO） standards. Hence, PCF may ultimately deceive consumers through its misapplication if the PCF calculation is not aligned to internationally accepted standards.展开更多
The current palm oil harvesting process removes the whole fruit bunch from the palm with most of the fruit unripe, and takes the whole fruit bunch from the plantation to a processing mill. There are two consequences. ...The current palm oil harvesting process removes the whole fruit bunch from the palm with most of the fruit unripe, and takes the whole fruit bunch from the plantation to a processing mill. There are two consequences. This robs the symbiotic palm/soil eco-system of important nutrients and steadily reduces soil fertility. Poor soil fertility is now the limit to palm oil production in peninsular Malaysia despite much use of expensive fertiliser, and weak palms in unhealthy soil are prone to the fungus Ganoderma. Secondly, it takes much energy to remove the fruit from the bunch and the quantity and quality of the oil is less than that of ripe fruit. All this is because ripe fruit—which naturally becomes loose—has been defined as “a problem” in harvesting. This paper proposes covering the fruit bunch in a mesh sack whilst ripening, which prevents ripe fruit naturally from becoming loose being a problem and transforms the whole harvesting process. This allows efficient fruit separation and fruit pressing to be done at the foot of the palm tree with only the oil being removed from the plantation, both simplifying and improving the harvesting process and maintaining the organic fertility cycle, adding value in every respect.展开更多
Estimation of the carbon footprint in rice cropping systems can help in identifying the major options available in the quest to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agricultural production. This research study ass...Estimation of the carbon footprint in rice cropping systems can help in identifying the major options available in the quest to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agricultural production. This research study assessed the greenhouse gas emissions of irrigated rice production based on field experiments and surveys. The study determined the effect of application of different nitrogen rates on crop yield, carbon footprint and net carbon in irrigated rice (<em>Oryza sativa</em> <em>var KRC Baika</em>) production systems. A three-year (one minor season followed by two major seasons) field experiment was conducted on a Vertisol in a completely randomized design with four nitrogen application rates. Biomass yield and the N content of straw and grain were determined after harvest. Additionally, data on detailed farm activities relative to the cultivation of the rice crop, input use as well as biomass yield were obtained and used to estimate the carbon footprint during the study. The results showed that between 862 and 1717 kg CO<sub>2</sub>-eq ha<sup>-1</sup> was emitted from rice fields per season. From this study, nitrogen fertilizer with about 42% of the emissions, was the biggest contributor to total GHG emissions ha<sup>-1</sup> of rice crop. Applying nitrogen fertilizer at 90 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> gave a similar yield, but with a lower carbon footprint relative to the application of 135 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup>. Therefore, applying N at 90 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> maintained yields, reduced GHG emissions and had a positive net carbon. The results of this study can be applied to ensure that farmers maintain yields with less cost to the environment.展开更多
文摘A survey of 277 German participants demonstrates that a Product Carbon Footprint （PCF） label is not yet a suitable instrument for communication with consumers because of the lack of standardized PCF calculation within Europe. Most consumers do not understand either the PCF statement or the PCF calculation. The public message of a PCF label does not conform to the terms of sustainability. At first sight, PCF seems to be an opportunity to communicate the sustainability aspects of food to consumers, but too many different approaches to defining PCF exist in Europe. Additionally, the use of a ＂green＂ PCF label may distort trading conditions because of the lack of PCF-issuing authorities in accordance with World Trade Organization （WTO） standards. Hence, PCF may ultimately deceive consumers through its misapplication if the PCF calculation is not aligned to internationally accepted standards.
文摘The current palm oil harvesting process removes the whole fruit bunch from the palm with most of the fruit unripe, and takes the whole fruit bunch from the plantation to a processing mill. There are two consequences. This robs the symbiotic palm/soil eco-system of important nutrients and steadily reduces soil fertility. Poor soil fertility is now the limit to palm oil production in peninsular Malaysia despite much use of expensive fertiliser, and weak palms in unhealthy soil are prone to the fungus Ganoderma. Secondly, it takes much energy to remove the fruit from the bunch and the quantity and quality of the oil is less than that of ripe fruit. All this is because ripe fruit—which naturally becomes loose—has been defined as “a problem” in harvesting. This paper proposes covering the fruit bunch in a mesh sack whilst ripening, which prevents ripe fruit naturally from becoming loose being a problem and transforms the whole harvesting process. This allows efficient fruit separation and fruit pressing to be done at the foot of the palm tree with only the oil being removed from the plantation, both simplifying and improving the harvesting process and maintaining the organic fertility cycle, adding value in every respect.
文摘Estimation of the carbon footprint in rice cropping systems can help in identifying the major options available in the quest to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agricultural production. This research study assessed the greenhouse gas emissions of irrigated rice production based on field experiments and surveys. The study determined the effect of application of different nitrogen rates on crop yield, carbon footprint and net carbon in irrigated rice (<em>Oryza sativa</em> <em>var KRC Baika</em>) production systems. A three-year (one minor season followed by two major seasons) field experiment was conducted on a Vertisol in a completely randomized design with four nitrogen application rates. Biomass yield and the N content of straw and grain were determined after harvest. Additionally, data on detailed farm activities relative to the cultivation of the rice crop, input use as well as biomass yield were obtained and used to estimate the carbon footprint during the study. The results showed that between 862 and 1717 kg CO<sub>2</sub>-eq ha<sup>-1</sup> was emitted from rice fields per season. From this study, nitrogen fertilizer with about 42% of the emissions, was the biggest contributor to total GHG emissions ha<sup>-1</sup> of rice crop. Applying nitrogen fertilizer at 90 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> gave a similar yield, but with a lower carbon footprint relative to the application of 135 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup>. Therefore, applying N at 90 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> maintained yields, reduced GHG emissions and had a positive net carbon. The results of this study can be applied to ensure that farmers maintain yields with less cost to the environment.
