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标题：Canada’s Environmental Farm Plan: Evaluating Implementation, Use of Services, and the Influence of Social Factors
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作者：Paul Smith ; Carrie Bibik ; Jon Lazarus 等
期刊名称：Sustainable Agriculture Research
印刷版ISSN：1927-050X
电子版ISSN：1927-0518
出版年度：2020
卷号：9
期号：4
页码：1-16
DOI：10.5539/sar.v9n4p1
出版社：Canadian Center of Science and Education
摘要：Canada’s Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) is a voluntary, self-administered education and risk assessment tool that assists farmers in developing customized action plans to address environmental risks on their farms. During 2010-11 a study was undertaken in Ontario to evaluate the level of implementation of the EFP, the use of related services and resources, and social factors influencing implementation and services used. A confidential survey of 189 Ontario farmers with EFPs revealed high levels of implementation and significant investments of time and money to reduce environmental risks and improve environmental conditions. Farmers completed or were implementing 67.5% (median) of their action plans, up from 55% reported in a survey in 1999. Farmers invested an average of C$69,600 per farm in agri-environmental activities (of which 73% was drawn from their own funds) and spent 130 hours of their time per farm. Percent implemented, time and cost are all much higher compared to the survey in 1999. Farmers used many existing services in preparing and implementing their EFPs. In 2010, social factors significantly influenced motivation, preferences and service needs including education, age and main commodity produced. Also in 2010, 95% percent of farmers reported perceived environmental improvements on their farm operations. The results emphasize the importance of combining risk assessment, education and financial incentives as well as offering a range of program services to appeal to the varied needs of different farmers.
关键词：agriculture;agri-environment;risk assessment;evaluation;sustainability;social factors