Assessing the sustainability factors of traditional olive groves on Lesvos Island,Greece (Sustainability and traditional cultivation) |
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Authors: | Christina Giourga Angeliki Loumou Iris Tsevreni Assimina Vergou |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Environment, University of Aegean, University Hill, 81100 Mytilene, Greece;(2) Department of Agricultural Technology Product, Technological Education Institute of Kalamata, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata , Greece |
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Abstract: | In Europe the process of agricultural engagement or disengagement is attributed to the economic factor and mainly on the level
of alternative employment source development. It is the relational quality of economic, social and environmental factors that
determine sustainability of agricultural holdings and, hence, households. In regions of poor agricultural structures and of
many employment opportunities as well as in regions suffering from agricultural depression, households exhibit stronger tendencies
towards agricultural disengagement. Remarkably in southern Europe a stable agricultural engagement and not disengagement is
observed, even though in recent years there are limited possibilities of alternative income sources and prevailing agricultural
depression. This article highlights the factors which lead households to stable engagement with agriculture in a region of
southern Europe, the island of Lesvos. The island is characterised by traditional olive grove mono-culture, poor agricultural
structures and limited employment opportunities. The investigation of the economic, social and environmental farm household
characteristics concluded that in regions where poor agricultural infrastructure and lack of employment prevail, all three
factors of sustainability contribute to stability and/or low agricultural disengagement. Among these, the economic factor
is the most sensitive and hence highly influential. The social factor is highlighted as a quality and consistent factor due
to the respect for tradition. The environmental factor, finally, is characterised by mild cultivation practices, contributing
to environment conservation. |
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Keywords: | Agricultural pluriactivity Lesvos Island Olive groves Rural development Sustainable agriculture Traditional cultivation Poor agricultural structures |
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