Mapping energy crop cultivation and identifying motivational factors among Swedish farmers

Abstract

Based on a meta-study, the paper describes the existing options, areal extents, and Swedish farmers' conditions for energy crop production promoted by the governments to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The drivers of and barriers to cultivating various energy crops are described in terms of a variety of motivational factors. The approach used peer-reviewed and grey literature using three internet sources. Questions addressed include the energy crops available to Swedish farmers and how well established they are in terms of areal extent. What drivers of and barriers to growing energy crops do farmers perceive? How do various motivational factors for these drivers and barriers correspond to the adoption of certain energy crops? The results indicate that 13 energy-related crops are available, of which straw (a residue), oil crops, and wheat are the most extensively produced in terms of cultivated area.Results confirm earlier research findings that converting from annual to perennial crops and from traditional crops or production systems to new ones are important barriers. Economic motivations for changing production systems are strong, but factors such as values (e.g., aesthetics), knowledge (e.g., habits and knowledge of production methods), and legal conditions (e.g., cultivation licenses) are crucial for the change to energy crops. Finally, there are knowledge gaps in the literature as to why farmers decide to keep or change a production system. Since the Swedish government and the EU intend to encourage farmers to expand their energy crop production, this knowledge of such motivational factors should be enhanced.

Spatial Analysis of Biomass Resources within a Socio-Ecologically Heterogeneous Region: Identifying Opportunities for a Mixed Feedstock Stream

“…This persistent chicken-and-egg situation, along with the risk aversion of the general farming community with respect to fundamental changes to their target market and their planting-growing-harvesting activities (see [18,62]), means it would be overly optimistic to assume idle land will be allocated toward the production of dedicated energy crops. For these reasons, production potentials are estimated with and without inputs from switchgrass production.…”

Barriers to and Drivers of the Adoption of Energy Crops by Swedish Farmers: An Empirical Study

“…The review indicated that, although economic incentives to change the production system are strong, factors such as values (e.g., aesthetics), knowledge (e.g., habits and knowledge of production methods), and legal conditions (e.g., property rights and cultivation licensing) may also be crucial for production system change [10]. However, no empirical, explorative study of this matter has yet been carried out.…”

“…The three most extensive energy crops currently produced in Sweden are straw (a by-product), oil crops, and wheat, each covering 15,000-25,000 ha [10]. Earlier studies of conditions for land use change at the Swedish and international levels have demonstrated the importance of economic incentives in encouraging individual actors to change production or land use [11,12].…”

“…Currently, 13 energy crops are available to Swedish farmers [10], each with particular cultivation opportunities and restrictions and sets of drivers and barriers. The three most extensive energy crops currently produced in Sweden are straw (a by-product), oil crops, and wheat, each covering 15,000-25,000 ha [10].…”

“…To address this knowledge gap, we had previously reviewed the scientific and gray literature dealing with why farmers decide to stay with or change a production system, and what motivational factors serve as drivers of or barriers to specific crops [10]. The review indicated that, although economic incentives to change the production system are strong, factors such as values (e.g., aesthetics), knowledge (e.g., habits and knowledge of production methods), and legal conditions (e.g., property rights and cultivation licensing) may also be crucial for production system change [10].…”