Bohumil Havrland

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) bioenergy value - importance for Portugal.

Abstract Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an annual herbaceous species used for centuries in a multitude of countries, especially in Africa (Sub-Saharan Africa), but also in the Americas and Asia, mainly for its grain and fi brous remainders, these used as animal fodder or as a combustible. Already for some decades the non-structural sugars from Sorghum stalks became of interest for the ethanol production business either for industrial, beverage or fuel uses. The species is particularly interesting because of its characteristic low energy, chemicals and water inputs. In addition, this is achieved with a very interesting performance in terms of Greenhouse Effect Gases (GEG) emission mitigation. This paper discusses the Sweet Sorghum production under climatic/soil conditions in Portugal and its possible use in a combined bio-energy production plant. Results from experimental fi eld trials ran in Portugal (Province of Beira Interior) for two years showed yields up to 90 tonnes of fresh biomass per hectare at very low inputs. They confi rm that this crop cultivation is technically feasible and economically effective for the above region and can become a cash crop. The technical aspects of the Sweet Sorghum growing processes and profi table use are especially discussed. These include the ethanol production, co-generation of heat and power as well as biogas generation. The interest in some valuable co-products use is raised, too. Advantages of integrating these processes are also analyzed.

Energy Balance of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Grown for Energy Purposes

Abstract This article discusses the energy balance of the hemp biomass from the autumn and spring harvest which was used for the production of briquettes. The hemp plant (Cannabis sativa L.) used in this work is the variety Bialobrzeskie that was harvested on a trial plot in Prague-Suchdol in 2009 - 2010. Moisture content (MC), gross calorific value (GCV) and other technical parameters were evaluated for samples from the harvest of both periods. The autumn harvest results led to the assumption that the gross energy yield of the culture per superficies was 186.3 GJ ha-1. As compared to the previous results the spring harvest gave a gross energetic output of 161.4 GJ ha-1. The autumn harvest required more energy inputs compared to the spring harvest with values of 22.2 GJ ha-1 and 16.9 GJ ha-1 respectively. The most energy-consuming aspects of the biomass production were fuels (autumn) and the energy linked to the chemicals used (spring). Regardless of the higher net energy yield in autumn it was found that a spring harvest should be preferred because of its Energy Return on Energy Invested (EROEI) is 8.6. This is higher than for the autumn harvest (7.4).

State Ownership of Land in Uzbekistan – an Impediment to Further Agricultural Growth?

Abstract The present paper aims to demonstrate how the state land ownership affects development of agricultural sector in Uzbekistan, and what are its strengths and weaknesses. It highlights the importance of secure land right regardless of ownership. Land in Uzbekistan is state-owned; the exclusive state ownership of land was first incorporated in the 1992 Constitution. The official rationale was to ensure food security and social stability; another concern was the state-run irrigation system, operation of which would be hampered in the event of land privatization. Farming entities in Uzbekistan possess different rights to land: from long-life inheritable rights of the dehkans (small-scale household farms) to rights limited by 30 to 50 years and defined by lease contracts of the private farmers. The latter are monitored by the state and are subject to state interventions; in the first place they have to carry the burden of state quotas for cotton and wheat and they are obliged to sell these crops for state-dictated prices. Dehkans provide a major part of livestock production and they can, unlike private farmers, sell all their production at market prices. Land tenure rights in Uzbekistan lack certain qualities that would make land tenure rights meaningful. The duration of land rights is sufficient, however they do not assure the holders that rights will be recognized and enforced at low costs and do not provide them with mechanisms allowing adjustment under changing conditions.The authors conclude that the insufficient land tenure security, which is further undermined by state interventions, poses a significant barrier impeding development in the agricultural sector. The paper identifies opportunities for change arising from the gradual strengthening of market principles.

Moldovan Tomato Market Analysis through Use of the Agricultural Marketing Information System

Abstract The vegetable production is one of the few agricultural profit-generating sectors based on cash crop growing and marketing. Its tomato sector of the Republic of Moldova has a huge potential to become an important income generator within the national economy. It is obvious that the success of this sector development depends on an efficient marketing system and access to information sources in Moldovan rural areas. The lack of information on tomato markets is a major problem for the Moldovan tomato producers thereby limiting their ability to profitably access new markets. The situation is particularly acute for farmers who reside in rural areas where the information flow is much slower and less reliable once it reaches the farmer. Most of producers and processors lack even basic information on fundamental issues like the market demand on product quantities and quality parameters, towards which markets they should address and what distribution channels choose. Usually they do not know who and where their competitors are and how to compete with them. The paper reports the Moldovan tomato market analysis that was done using the Agricultural Marketing Information System (AMIS). The AMIS is a support tool for agricultural (including tomato) and food product market assessment and access to the information on commodity markets by main producers, production inputs and marketing services in the Republic of Moldova.