About Book

The character of the world’s agriculture is shaped as millions of farmers manage the resources under their control in ways to obtain as much satisfaction as possible from their decisions and actions, which are made in a large variety of settings in regard to human, capital and land resource combinations; technological possibilities; and social and political arrangements. Farm management is an interdisciplinary field of agricultural sciences. It includes many different topics like livestock management, agronomy, biology of farm animals, husbandry, etc. Usually, farm management is founded on the need to have clear information such as agricultural economics in relation to economic institutions, agricultural policies, markets, prices, among others. Farm management practices can break or build a farm. The success of any farm management approaches is based on the features of certain farm since farms have varying differences. This book provides various concepts and applications of farm management. It picks up individual methods and explains their need and contribution in the context of the growth of this field. It deals with organic farming practices, alternative management practices, conventional agriculture, remote monitoring, irrigation practices, environmental aspects and organic farming system. The topics included in this book on farm management are of utmost significance and bound to provide incredible insights to readers. Coherent flow of topics, student-friendly language and extensive use of examples make this book an invaluable source of knowledge. This book will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Insect Pest Management in Organic Farming System.......................1

Abstract...................................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................1

2. Principles and strategies of crop protection in organic farming

system......................................................................................................2

3. Differences between organic and conventional farming with

respect to plant protection..................................................................3

4. Crop protection practices in organic farming.................................4

5. Plant protection products (PPPs) authorized in organic

farming....................................................................................................7

6. A case study of organic date palms.................................................9

7. Impact of pest management in organic farming on the

environment.........................................................................................21

8. Conclusions..........................................................................................22

Chapter 2 Multi-Disciplinary Lessons Learned from Low-Tech Coral Farming and Reef Rehabilitation: I. Best Management Practices ...............27

Abstract ................................................................................................27

1. Introduction ........................................................................................28

2. State of knowledge in the development of low-tech coral farming

and reef rehabilitation ......................................................................30

3. Lessons learned from coral farming in Puerto Rico....................39

4. Lessons learned from maintenance and data collection.............45

5. Lessons learned from out-planting..................................................47

6. Additional recommendations and needs for best management

practices.................................................................................................51

7. Conclusions and recommendations.................................................53

Acknowledgements.............................................................................55

Chapter 3 Environmental Aspects of Organic Farming......................................64

1. Introduction..........................................................................................64

2. Effect of farming system on greenhouse gas emissions.............78

3. Conclusion............................................................................................88

Acknowledgements.............................................................................92

Chapter 4 Entrepreneurship, Farming, and Identity: A Phenomenological

Inquiry .......................................................................................................97

1. Introduction..........................................................................................97

2. Crofts and farms...............................................................................104

3. Phenomenological method..............................................................114

4. Material and methods......................................................................122

5. Case reconstructions.........................................................................126

6. Conclusions........................................................................................141

7. Acknowledgment..............................................................................144

Chapter 5 A Low Cost Remote Monitoring Method for Determining Farmer

Irrigation Practices and Water Use ..................................................160

1. Introduction........................................................................................160

2. Background ......................................................................................161

3. Methodology ...................................................................................165

4. Results ..............................................................................................174

5. Conclusions .....................................................................................178

Chapter 6 Farmers’ Attitudes Towards Organic and Conventional Agriculture:

A Behavioural Perspective .................................................................183

1. Introduction ......................................................................................183

2. A modified behavioural approach ...............................................187

3. A methodological framework .......................................................190

4. Investigating farmers’ attitudes and behaviours .......................192

5. Conclusion .........................................................................................205

6. Acknowledgements .........................................................................209

Chapter 7 Effect of Socio-Economic Characteristics of Farmers on Their

Adoption of Organic Farming Practices............................................214

1. Introduction........................................................................................214

2. Methodology......................................................................................219

3. Results and discussion ...................................................................219

4. Adoption of organic farming practices .......................................222

5. Perceived benefits of using organic farming practices ............223

6. Relationship between socio-economic characteristics of farmers

and adoption of organic farming practices ................................223

7. Conclusion .........................................................................................224

8. Recommendations ............................................................................224

Chapter 8 Alternative Management Practices for Water Conservation

in Dryland Farming: A Case Study in Bijar, Iran..........................227

1. Introduction........................................................................................227

2. Materials and methods....................................................................232

3. Result and discussions.....................................................................234

4. Conclusions .......................................................................................245

Citation......................................................................................................251

Index...........................................................................................................253

About Author

Pam Fitt attained her Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences and Environmental Studies from Public University of Science, Sydney. Her researches are focused on agricultural production systems and sustainable agriculture. Fitt serves as a visiting professor at various universities across Asia and Europe. She has authored and edited more than 57 articles and book chapters in the field of the agricultural revolution, agricultural productivity and farm practices. Her works have been recognized to many fellow researchers in their respective fields worldwide. She is also on the editorial board of several renowned agricultural sciences and organic farming journals.