Ana Marta-Costa | Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) (original) (raw)
Papers by Ana Marta-Costa
adopt the most advantageous production systems in order to achieve higher levels of competitiveness.
The objective of this paper is to make a SWOT analysis based on the evaluation of some important ... more The objective of this paper is to make a SWOT analysis based on the evaluation of some important parameters of sustainability, focused on farms with goat livestock, especially with the Bravia goat breed. The identification of mechanisms/actions/innovations developed by these farms, for their survival, as well as as the created opportunities that can sustain them, is also a main purpose of this paper. The methodology focuses on surveys to farmers who hold different levels of livestock headage. This study is still under development and started with a small sample of farmers. The high mortality rate, the need for constant labour and the dependence of farmers on the farmers' cooperative for most purposes are the main weaknesses found in these production systems. Effective responses to these situations are revealed as the main opportunities of the activity under study.
In Portugal, goat’s milk is a commodity valued for processing into dairy products, especially che... more In Portugal, goat’s milk is a commodity valued for processing into dairy products, especially cheese. The milk moves from goat farms to consumers through several processes, implemented by multiple actors, depending on the production system. Value chain approaches can play a significant role in characterizing complex networks and relationships that exist in livestock production systems. This paper aims to analyse the goat milk value chain in the Portuguese northern region focused on the impact of the development and operation of value chains of the goat breeder. Technical and economic data were collected from goat farms, dairy plants and other actors to allow the analysis of margins and profits within the chain, in order to determine who benefits from participating in the chain and which actors could benefit from increased support or organisation. The added-value of this approach is assessed on intra and inter-actors. The value chain for the actors in each level suggests that costs a...
This study aims to assess the current role of farmers sheep and goats associations in the adaptat... more This study aims to assess the current role of farmers sheep and goats associations in the adaptation, testing and in technology transfer, as well to gather a set of proposals for a forthcoming role redefinition of the organisms, towards the sustainability orientation of farming systems. The used methodology was based on consultation and review of submitted projects by farmers associations and the analysis of recent statistical data relating to animals and farms. There were also conducted surveys to the farmers of sheep and goats associations with a coverage area for the North of Portugal. The results showed the very limited role of these associations around the technologies due to the lack of human and financial resources. The evolution of sustainable sheep and goats production systems in the North of Portugal requires a development support that takes into account the diversity of farms and be able to respond to the needs and expectations of their respective farmers.
Based on a set of indicators, identified by using the MESMIS methodology (Framework for Evaluatio... more Based on a set of indicators, identified by using the MESMIS methodology (Framework for Evaluation of Natural-Resource Systems Handling through Sustainability Indicators), we perform a relative evaluation on economic, social and environmental sustainability aspects, between farms with bovines of Maronesa breed and sheep and/or goats for meat, and farms only with bovine Maronesa breed in their production area (mountain chains Marão-Alvão-Padrela). The results show that simultaneous production of the three species presents better economic, social and environmental results. The differences are more accentuated on economic indicators and less evident when the financial supports provided to the current activity are considered. Keywords. Sustainability – Indicators – Bovine – Sheep and goat. Quelques considérations sur la contribution des petits ruminants à la durabilité des systèmes de production de bovins Résumé. En utilisant des indicateurs définis par la méthode MESMIS ("Marco pa...
The objective of this work is to identify the effects (economic, environmental and social) of the... more The objective of this work is to identify the effects (economic, environmental and social) of the economic crisis in agrarian activity at the farm level, focused on farms with the goat livestock of Bravia breed, and to identify the mechanisms/actions/innovations developed by these farms, in order to their survival, as the created opportunities that can sustain them. The methodology focuses on surveys to farmers who hold different levels of livestock heads, in order to measure the evolution of economic, social and environmental indicators before the economic crisis and at the current scenario. The aim is also carry out a SWOT analysis of these systems. In a global view is observed none or little impact of the economic crisis in the studied herds. The high mortality rate, the need of constant labor and the dependence of farmers in farmers' cooperative for most of the purposes are the main weaknesses found on these production systems. Effective responses to these situations reveal ...
O projeto de investigação ForeStake (PTDC/AGR-CFL/099970/2008) surgiu como uma oportunidade para ... more O projeto de investigação ForeStake (PTDC/AGR-CFL/099970/2008) surgiu como uma oportunidade para melhorar o conhecimento acerca das visões institucionais, técnicas e sociais sobre a floresta e a política florestal em Portugal, e propondo a integração deste conhecimento na definição de políticas futuras. O projeto, desenvolvido entre 2010 e 2013, foi coordenado pela Universidade de Aveiro, em parceria com uma equipa multidisciplinar de investigadores da Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) e da Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra (ESAC). Foi financiado pela Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) e co-financiado pelo Programa Operacional Fatores de Competitividade (POFC) - COMPETE. Perante os desafios que se colocam à gestão florestal em Portugal, relativos à maximização dos seus benefícios socioeconómicos e ambientais e à mitigação dos distúrbios que afetam a floresta, onde os incêndios florestais ocupam uma posição central, o projeto teve como principais objetivos: ...
The wine sector currently lacks nuclear fea-tures, which makes Portugal’s producing per-formance ... more The wine sector currently lacks nuclear fea-tures, which makes Portugal’s producing per-formance drift away from the frontline world-wide wine producers. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the evolution of the Portuguese wine industry’s performance through the world and national available statistical data. Also, this work tries to evaluate the sustainability dyna-mic regarding theNorth and Alentejo, using the Portuguese Farm Accountancy Data Network from 2001 to 2012. From the sustain-nability indicators, the results show that Alente-jo presents the best performance in terms of environmental sustainability. The North has an increasing economic dimension of sustainabil-ity and good social performance. The conclu-sions suggest that academic research can im-prove the wine industry’s overall orientation to sustainability.O setor vitivinícola carece atualmente de ca-racterísticas nucleares que fazem o desempenho produtivo do país afastar-se dos líderes da pro-dução mundial de vinho. O ...
Forest Systems, 2016
Aim of study: This paper aims to test a participatory methodology to draw parallels and paradoxes... more Aim of study: This paper aims to test a participatory methodology to draw parallels and paradoxes as to how some forest sector-related entities and local communities view the Montemuro Mountain forest, namely in terms of its characteristics, the offered opportunities, its problems and the likely solutions for its management as well as the role played by stakeholders, which can be replicated in other case studies and can also facilitate the forest policy making process.Area of study: The Natura 2000 Network “Montemuro Mountain” Site in Portugal.Material and methods: This study combined several consultation and citizen participation techniques.Main results: The perceptions shared by the stakeholders are some similar, others not similar and others still quite paradoxical regarding forest characteristics and the opportunities they offer. The study has shown that it is possible to implement and improve citizen participation methodologies. This can be a viable way towards more effective f...
La sostenibilidad agro-territorial desde la Europa atlántica, 2019, ISBN 9788409134366, págs. 285-288, 2019
Palgrave Studies in Cross-disciplinary Business Research, In Association with EuroMed Academy of Business
Sustainability
Cocoa farming in São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) faces several challenges due to its poor socioeconom... more Cocoa farming in São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) faces several challenges due to its poor socioeconomic context, the adverse impact of climate changes, the complex and limited access to global value chains, and worldwide demand pressure for higher cocoa quality and productivity. This exploratory research investigates potential pathways to a more sustainable organic cocoa (OC) production in STP by mapping the perceptions of the stakeholders involved in its value chain. Qualitative interviews, field observation, and focus group discussions were applied to understand how sustainability dimensions, drivers, impacts, and challenges of OC are perceived and how these three dimensions can be improved and balanced. The gathered perceptions are rather diverse, reflecting the stakeholders’ position and knowledge of the specific contexts and processes. Producers do not perceive how governance is adopting new organizational structures or practices that allow for an effective sustainability improveme...
In a context of growing global threats, from climate change, the depletion and degradation of nat... more In a context of growing global threats, from climate change, the depletion and degradation of natural resources, to the recent global economic crisis, consequences of short and long term are being witnessed, which undermine the agriculture sustainability. The systems vulnerability, their inability to resilience and the need for innovation is observed, emphasizing also the most capable systems (more sustainable), offering new opportunities and encouraging more environmentally friendly practices. This work takes as starting point the evolution of economic, environmental and social parameters in farms, in recent years, in order to try to identify the difficulties and the solutions capable of sustaining agriculture in the context of multiple hazards at the farm level. The main methodology focuses on inquiries to the responsible agents for developing the main agriculture activities held in Tras-os-Montes, including farmers and their associations. The results confirm the dependence of pro...
Revista De Economia E Sociologia Rural, 2021
Resumo: A evolução da população rural e de animais de algumas raças autóctones portuguesas tem de... more Resumo: A evolução da população rural e de animais de algumas raças autóctones portuguesas tem demonstrado níveis de regressão preocupantes, com consequências ambientais e ecológicas, na gestão e no ordenamento do território e na sua sustentabilidade, nomeadamente, no que se refere à dimensão socioeconómica e à própria coesão territorial. Neste trabalho, tendo por base entrevistas realizadas a criadores, empresas e associações que se dedicam à criação e proteção da raça de equídeos Garrana, usada para diversos fins, pretende-se identificar os benefícios da adoção de um sistema de exploração que inclua o Garrano destacando, também, as suas principais debilidades. A abordagem será desenvolvida atendendo às dimensões ambiental, económica e social da sustentabilidade. Os resultados evidenciam a importância destes animais, não apenas enquanto património genético vivo, mas também ao nível da defesa da floresta contra incêndios, concretamente, no controlo de biomassa combustível. No entant...
Currently, agricultural farm units are faced with a double and most times contradictory challenge... more Currently, agricultural farm units are faced with a double and most times contradictory challenge, in order to be successful: on the one hand the invested capital has to be profitable and the economic performance has to be maximised. On the other hand, given the socio-environmental situation, it is necessary to preserve and to protect the environment and natural resources. Given the potential conflict of the two aims, since the satisfaction of one implies the underperformance of the other (and vice versa), the question then is: which is the solution to choose? We intend, in this work, to formulate a farm plan with the purpose of reconciling the criteria of environmental sustainability with that of economic competitiveness. For this achievement we proceed to the comparative study of sustainability of different groups of farms identified in the study area (first evaluation cycle) through MESMIS (“Marco para la Evaluacion de Sistemas de Manejo de Recursos Naturales Mediante Indicadores...
Revista de Ciências Agrárias, 2020
The wine sector is a historical sector in Portugal that plays an important socioeconomic role in ... more The wine sector is a historical sector in Portugal that plays an important socioeconomic role in the Douro Demarcated Region. This work aims to study the main characteristics of the systems adopted in this region, based on a set of 110 face-to-face surveys and to estimate their productive efficiency using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). In addition, a cluster k-means analysis was performed to uncover unknown patterns in the data and create homogeneous farm groups. The sample based on a large diversity of wine-growing systems has a large number of plots, with an average grape yield of 5784 kg/ha representing a yield of € 4315/ha, resulting in six clusters. Most isolated farms constitute the cluster that show intensive work. The smallest cluster brings together the most extreme cases and with the highest capital values. The most efficient group is the one that presents all indicators above the sample average, except for the area used. Through this study, it became possible to rec...
adopt the most advantageous production systems in order to achieve higher levels of competitiveness.
The objective of this paper is to make a SWOT analysis based on the evaluation of some important ... more The objective of this paper is to make a SWOT analysis based on the evaluation of some important parameters of sustainability, focused on farms with goat livestock, especially with the Bravia goat breed. The identification of mechanisms/actions/innovations developed by these farms, for their survival, as well as as the created opportunities that can sustain them, is also a main purpose of this paper. The methodology focuses on surveys to farmers who hold different levels of livestock headage. This study is still under development and started with a small sample of farmers. The high mortality rate, the need for constant labour and the dependence of farmers on the farmers' cooperative for most purposes are the main weaknesses found in these production systems. Effective responses to these situations are revealed as the main opportunities of the activity under study.
In Portugal, goat’s milk is a commodity valued for processing into dairy products, especially che... more In Portugal, goat’s milk is a commodity valued for processing into dairy products, especially cheese. The milk moves from goat farms to consumers through several processes, implemented by multiple actors, depending on the production system. Value chain approaches can play a significant role in characterizing complex networks and relationships that exist in livestock production systems. This paper aims to analyse the goat milk value chain in the Portuguese northern region focused on the impact of the development and operation of value chains of the goat breeder. Technical and economic data were collected from goat farms, dairy plants and other actors to allow the analysis of margins and profits within the chain, in order to determine who benefits from participating in the chain and which actors could benefit from increased support or organisation. The added-value of this approach is assessed on intra and inter-actors. The value chain for the actors in each level suggests that costs a...
This study aims to assess the current role of farmers sheep and goats associations in the adaptat... more This study aims to assess the current role of farmers sheep and goats associations in the adaptation, testing and in technology transfer, as well to gather a set of proposals for a forthcoming role redefinition of the organisms, towards the sustainability orientation of farming systems. The used methodology was based on consultation and review of submitted projects by farmers associations and the analysis of recent statistical data relating to animals and farms. There were also conducted surveys to the farmers of sheep and goats associations with a coverage area for the North of Portugal. The results showed the very limited role of these associations around the technologies due to the lack of human and financial resources. The evolution of sustainable sheep and goats production systems in the North of Portugal requires a development support that takes into account the diversity of farms and be able to respond to the needs and expectations of their respective farmers.
Based on a set of indicators, identified by using the MESMIS methodology (Framework for Evaluatio... more Based on a set of indicators, identified by using the MESMIS methodology (Framework for Evaluation of Natural-Resource Systems Handling through Sustainability Indicators), we perform a relative evaluation on economic, social and environmental sustainability aspects, between farms with bovines of Maronesa breed and sheep and/or goats for meat, and farms only with bovine Maronesa breed in their production area (mountain chains Marão-Alvão-Padrela). The results show that simultaneous production of the three species presents better economic, social and environmental results. The differences are more accentuated on economic indicators and less evident when the financial supports provided to the current activity are considered. Keywords. Sustainability – Indicators – Bovine – Sheep and goat. Quelques considérations sur la contribution des petits ruminants à la durabilité des systèmes de production de bovins Résumé. En utilisant des indicateurs définis par la méthode MESMIS ("Marco pa...
The objective of this work is to identify the effects (economic, environmental and social) of the... more The objective of this work is to identify the effects (economic, environmental and social) of the economic crisis in agrarian activity at the farm level, focused on farms with the goat livestock of Bravia breed, and to identify the mechanisms/actions/innovations developed by these farms, in order to their survival, as the created opportunities that can sustain them. The methodology focuses on surveys to farmers who hold different levels of livestock heads, in order to measure the evolution of economic, social and environmental indicators before the economic crisis and at the current scenario. The aim is also carry out a SWOT analysis of these systems. In a global view is observed none or little impact of the economic crisis in the studied herds. The high mortality rate, the need of constant labor and the dependence of farmers in farmers' cooperative for most of the purposes are the main weaknesses found on these production systems. Effective responses to these situations reveal ...
O projeto de investigação ForeStake (PTDC/AGR-CFL/099970/2008) surgiu como uma oportunidade para ... more O projeto de investigação ForeStake (PTDC/AGR-CFL/099970/2008) surgiu como uma oportunidade para melhorar o conhecimento acerca das visões institucionais, técnicas e sociais sobre a floresta e a política florestal em Portugal, e propondo a integração deste conhecimento na definição de políticas futuras. O projeto, desenvolvido entre 2010 e 2013, foi coordenado pela Universidade de Aveiro, em parceria com uma equipa multidisciplinar de investigadores da Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) e da Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra (ESAC). Foi financiado pela Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) e co-financiado pelo Programa Operacional Fatores de Competitividade (POFC) - COMPETE. Perante os desafios que se colocam à gestão florestal em Portugal, relativos à maximização dos seus benefícios socioeconómicos e ambientais e à mitigação dos distúrbios que afetam a floresta, onde os incêndios florestais ocupam uma posição central, o projeto teve como principais objetivos: ...
The wine sector currently lacks nuclear fea-tures, which makes Portugal’s producing per-formance ... more The wine sector currently lacks nuclear fea-tures, which makes Portugal’s producing per-formance drift away from the frontline world-wide wine producers. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the evolution of the Portuguese wine industry’s performance through the world and national available statistical data. Also, this work tries to evaluate the sustainability dyna-mic regarding theNorth and Alentejo, using the Portuguese Farm Accountancy Data Network from 2001 to 2012. From the sustain-nability indicators, the results show that Alente-jo presents the best performance in terms of environmental sustainability. The North has an increasing economic dimension of sustainabil-ity and good social performance. The conclu-sions suggest that academic research can im-prove the wine industry’s overall orientation to sustainability.O setor vitivinícola carece atualmente de ca-racterísticas nucleares que fazem o desempenho produtivo do país afastar-se dos líderes da pro-dução mundial de vinho. O ...
Forest Systems, 2016
Aim of study: This paper aims to test a participatory methodology to draw parallels and paradoxes... more Aim of study: This paper aims to test a participatory methodology to draw parallels and paradoxes as to how some forest sector-related entities and local communities view the Montemuro Mountain forest, namely in terms of its characteristics, the offered opportunities, its problems and the likely solutions for its management as well as the role played by stakeholders, which can be replicated in other case studies and can also facilitate the forest policy making process.Area of study: The Natura 2000 Network “Montemuro Mountain” Site in Portugal.Material and methods: This study combined several consultation and citizen participation techniques.Main results: The perceptions shared by the stakeholders are some similar, others not similar and others still quite paradoxical regarding forest characteristics and the opportunities they offer. The study has shown that it is possible to implement and improve citizen participation methodologies. This can be a viable way towards more effective f...
La sostenibilidad agro-territorial desde la Europa atlántica, 2019, ISBN 9788409134366, págs. 285-288, 2019
Palgrave Studies in Cross-disciplinary Business Research, In Association with EuroMed Academy of Business
Sustainability
Cocoa farming in São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) faces several challenges due to its poor socioeconom... more Cocoa farming in São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) faces several challenges due to its poor socioeconomic context, the adverse impact of climate changes, the complex and limited access to global value chains, and worldwide demand pressure for higher cocoa quality and productivity. This exploratory research investigates potential pathways to a more sustainable organic cocoa (OC) production in STP by mapping the perceptions of the stakeholders involved in its value chain. Qualitative interviews, field observation, and focus group discussions were applied to understand how sustainability dimensions, drivers, impacts, and challenges of OC are perceived and how these three dimensions can be improved and balanced. The gathered perceptions are rather diverse, reflecting the stakeholders’ position and knowledge of the specific contexts and processes. Producers do not perceive how governance is adopting new organizational structures or practices that allow for an effective sustainability improveme...
In a context of growing global threats, from climate change, the depletion and degradation of nat... more In a context of growing global threats, from climate change, the depletion and degradation of natural resources, to the recent global economic crisis, consequences of short and long term are being witnessed, which undermine the agriculture sustainability. The systems vulnerability, their inability to resilience and the need for innovation is observed, emphasizing also the most capable systems (more sustainable), offering new opportunities and encouraging more environmentally friendly practices. This work takes as starting point the evolution of economic, environmental and social parameters in farms, in recent years, in order to try to identify the difficulties and the solutions capable of sustaining agriculture in the context of multiple hazards at the farm level. The main methodology focuses on inquiries to the responsible agents for developing the main agriculture activities held in Tras-os-Montes, including farmers and their associations. The results confirm the dependence of pro...
Revista De Economia E Sociologia Rural, 2021
Resumo: A evolução da população rural e de animais de algumas raças autóctones portuguesas tem de... more Resumo: A evolução da população rural e de animais de algumas raças autóctones portuguesas tem demonstrado níveis de regressão preocupantes, com consequências ambientais e ecológicas, na gestão e no ordenamento do território e na sua sustentabilidade, nomeadamente, no que se refere à dimensão socioeconómica e à própria coesão territorial. Neste trabalho, tendo por base entrevistas realizadas a criadores, empresas e associações que se dedicam à criação e proteção da raça de equídeos Garrana, usada para diversos fins, pretende-se identificar os benefícios da adoção de um sistema de exploração que inclua o Garrano destacando, também, as suas principais debilidades. A abordagem será desenvolvida atendendo às dimensões ambiental, económica e social da sustentabilidade. Os resultados evidenciam a importância destes animais, não apenas enquanto património genético vivo, mas também ao nível da defesa da floresta contra incêndios, concretamente, no controlo de biomassa combustível. No entant...
Currently, agricultural farm units are faced with a double and most times contradictory challenge... more Currently, agricultural farm units are faced with a double and most times contradictory challenge, in order to be successful: on the one hand the invested capital has to be profitable and the economic performance has to be maximised. On the other hand, given the socio-environmental situation, it is necessary to preserve and to protect the environment and natural resources. Given the potential conflict of the two aims, since the satisfaction of one implies the underperformance of the other (and vice versa), the question then is: which is the solution to choose? We intend, in this work, to formulate a farm plan with the purpose of reconciling the criteria of environmental sustainability with that of economic competitiveness. For this achievement we proceed to the comparative study of sustainability of different groups of farms identified in the study area (first evaluation cycle) through MESMIS (“Marco para la Evaluacion de Sistemas de Manejo de Recursos Naturales Mediante Indicadores...
Revista de Ciências Agrárias, 2020
The wine sector is a historical sector in Portugal that plays an important socioeconomic role in ... more The wine sector is a historical sector in Portugal that plays an important socioeconomic role in the Douro Demarcated Region. This work aims to study the main characteristics of the systems adopted in this region, based on a set of 110 face-to-face surveys and to estimate their productive efficiency using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). In addition, a cluster k-means analysis was performed to uncover unknown patterns in the data and create homogeneous farm groups. The sample based on a large diversity of wine-growing systems has a large number of plots, with an average grape yield of 5784 kg/ha representing a yield of € 4315/ha, resulting in six clusters. Most isolated farms constitute the cluster that show intensive work. The smallest cluster brings together the most extreme cases and with the highest capital values. The most efficient group is the one that presents all indicators above the sample average, except for the area used. Through this study, it became possible to rec...