Project information
Project manager
Muhammad Asim Ibrahim
Other project members
Marie Johansson, Linnaeus University
Participating organizations
Linnaeus University
Financier
ÅForsk
Timetable
14 Oct 2019–31 Dec 2020
Subject
Environmental technology, environmental science (Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences)
More about the project
Despite realization that climatic changes and extreme weather events are ravaging the agriculture sector, climate change adaptation by farmers is slow in Europe. There are few studies that have explored the capacity of farmers to adapt to a changing climate, especially in the Nordic countries.
This project is addressing this gap in knowledge by exploring inter-relationships of various factors, such as stakeholders’ perspective, value chain drivers and culture. The objective is to explore the underlying impediments in the promotion of climate change adaptive strategies.
The project is also exploring the risk for adaptive measures to turn into maladaptation. Öland was chosen as a study area, as the island is particularly exposed to extreme weather events such as drought and highly dependent on various agricultural industries.
In a practical part of the project, we collaborate with the heritage cereals association Allkorn and Kalmar/Öland's UN Association to demonstrate 23 heritage cereals such as “Enkorn” (Triticum monococcum) and “Emmer” (Triticum turgidum) at Ölands Museum Himmelsberga during the summer of 2020.
Heritage cereals are climate smart through their deep roots that loosen the soil, increase organic soil content, bind carbon and reduce nutrient leakage. Their high straw shades and competes out weeds and yields a lot of straw material. They have a high nutrient density of vitamins and minerals, among other things, and thus provide a high nutritional yield.
Heritage cereals cultivation has been highlighted by interviewed farmers in the project as a sustainable and versatile climate change adaptation of agriculture. The demonstration plots at Himmelsberga serve as inspiration and a place for open air lectures.
The project is part of the research in the Environmental Science and Engineering Group (ESEG) research group.
