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Batlles-Delafuente, A. Framework of Circular Economy Applied to Agriculture. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/20157 (accessed on 19 May 2024).
Batlles-Delafuente A. Framework of Circular Economy Applied to Agriculture. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/20157. Accessed May 19, 2024.
Batlles-Delafuente, Ana. "Framework of Circular Economy Applied to Agriculture" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/20157 (accessed May 19, 2024).
Batlles-Delafuente, A. (2022, March 03). Framework of Circular Economy Applied to Agriculture. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/20157
Batlles-Delafuente, Ana. "Framework of Circular Economy Applied to Agriculture." Encyclopedia. Web. 03 March, 2022.
Framework of Circular Economy Applied to Agriculture
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This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/agronomy12030620

Circular economy (CE) arises as an economic approach within the framework of sustainable development, which aims to produce goods and services while reducing the consumption and waste of raw materials in the production chain, water, and sources of energy. Hence, CE is a model of production and consumption that contrasts with linear models and aims at the efficient use of resources through waste minimization, long-term value retention, a reduction of primary resources, and closed loops of products, product parts, and materials within the boundaries of environmental protection and socioeconomic benefits. In relation to the principles of sustainable production, it focuses on the reuse of waste to create new products, the reduction of the environmental impact of production, and the regeneration of natural systems.

circular economy agriculture circular agriculture food security

1. Background and Conceptual Framework

In recent years, the high demand for food globally coupled with climate change and environmental degradation urged considering the circular economy (CE) as a key strategy to support sustainable and regenerative agriculture [1][2][3].
The environmental impact of agriculture is the effect that different agricultural practices have on the environment and varies according to the methods, techniques, and technologies used, as well as the scale of agricultural production. Therefore, agriculture impacts soil, water, air, biodiversity, people, plants and their genetic diversity, and the quality of food and habitats [4][5]. Indeed, intensive agriculture is a major producer of the emissions associated with fertilizers, pesticides and manure, the main source of pollution of freshwater, and the primary cause of biodiversity loss through land-use change and environmental degradation [6][7][8][9].
Society has reconciled new sustainable solutions and models of agriculture, such as precision agriculture, permaculture, regenerative agriculture, sustainable soil management, or organic agriculture. In this order, the alliance of agriculture with sustainability makes it possible to move from regenerative agriculture, sustainable soil management, and organic farming to the CE [10][11].
CE arises as an economic approach within the framework of sustainable development, which aims to produce goods and services while reducing the consumption and waste of raw materials in the production chain, water, and sources of energy. Hence, as defined in [12][13], CE is a model of production and consumption that contrasts with linear models and aims at the efficient use of resources through waste minimization, long-term value retention, a reduction of primary resources, and closed loops of products, product parts, and materials within the boundaries of environmental protection and socioeconomic benefits. In relation to the principles of sustainable production, it focuses on the reuse of waste to create new products, the reduction of the environmental impact of production, and the regeneration of natural systems [14][15].
Agriculture is well adapted to the precepts of the CE as an economic concept included in the framework of sustainable development [16][17][18]. This comprises a set of human actions dedicated to the transformation of the natural environment to provide the world’s food, which depends on both the climate and the techniques implemented to make the land fertile. It is an activity of great strategic importance for the self-sufficient development and capital of the countries [19][20].

2. Theoretical Framework: Circular Economy Applied to Agriculture

In recent years, different organizations worldwide are investing in sustainable bi-oeconomy, which refers to the set of economic activities focused on obtaining products and services that generate economic value using biological resources as raw material, and that represents a more viable opportunity to direct current economies toward greater sustainability in the use of natural resources both in agriculture and industry, and in economic growth [21][22][23].
According to the UN, circular agriculture focuses on using minimal amounts of external inputs to regenerate soils and minimize the impact on the environment. Likewise, it helps to guarantee a reduction in land use as well as limits the use of chemical fertilizers and the production of waste in order to reduce global emissions and contribute to the fight against climate change [24][25]. In any activity framed within CE, the reuse and recycling of materials become part of the usual production decisions. On the other hand, this type of action encourages the creation of new job opportunities for those who work with the materials to be recycled.
At a global level, fruit and vegetable production is a key sector in bioeconomy and must be kept economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable [26]. In the fruit and vegetable sector, the development of new varieties is common, thus the efficiency in the use of fertilizers, organic amendments, water and energy, the integrated pest control systems, disease and weeds, as well as the precision agriculture are key [27] for both a better use and, especially, a reduction of the impact on sustainability in relation to the economic approach of the CE.
New biofertilizers and phytosanitary products allow crops to adapt to new agroecological conditions, resist biotic and abiotic stresses, or incorporate new functionalities. The reuse of their own waste and by-products from their environment to obtain fertilizing products with added value suitable for fruit and vegetable crops will lead to an improvement in the efficiency and sustainability of these activities [3].
For these reasons, the main question is to determine how CE is implemented in agriculture. Therefore, recycling and reuse are tools that enable agriculture to achieve circularity from the use of organic waste or recycling plastics and packaging. The reuse of water is also key in the process of implementing circular agriculture since in many regions around the world, this resource is used for agricultural irrigation, improving the ecological flows of rivers or recharging aquifers and wetlands [28][29][30].

3. Discussion

Throughout the 17 years, scientific productionresearch has been increasing exponentially and the last year (2021) is the one with the highest number of annual publications. The line of research studied is characterized by having a multidisciplinary nature since it registers very diverse thematic areas. In addition, the research framed in the main categories is directly related to the main groups of keywords used. In the case of environmental science, the terms of sustainable development and agroecology are framed among other concepts since the purpose of this field of study is to ensure a sustainable future [13][31][32]. On the other hand, the terms energy and engineering are related to the search for actions that optimize waste management processes [33][34][35]. Therefore, both subject areas represent the terms of agricultural robots or nutrient recovery. Finally, if the disciplines of agricultural and biological sciences, Business, Management, and Accounting are addressed, reference should be made to the line of research analyzed, that is, to agricultural activities and food production, as well as to the possibility of implementing CE [36][37].
The journals that stand out for their contribution are Sustainability and the Journal of Cleaner Production. These two registered the highest values for their number of investigations. Even so, other journals are registered with high values in other variables, such as the average of citations (23.58) in Resources Conservation and Recycling, or the H-index (295) in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. As for the most active researchers in CE research in the agricultural field, Xavier Gabarrell i Durany is worth mentioning, in first position, together with Sergio Ulgiati, in second position, and Luis Jesús Belmonte-Ureña, in third position. In addition, it is interesting to pay attention to the nationality of the most prolific researchers since those of Italian and Spanish origin stand out. This is the reason, among others, why out of the 95 countries that publish, Italy and Spain are the most active. On the other hand, in regard to the country with the highest number of international publications and, therefore, with the highest percentage of the collaboration index, the UK and Germany are noteworthy, both with a value of 69%. Next, with a similar value, specifically 68%, is the USA.
These commented variables provide information about the interests that currently represent the line of research. Hence, the latest network map reveals the new issues that arise, which are related to energy efficiency and innovation [38][39]. These relevant issues can bring together several areas and obtain favorable results since the incorporation of efficient and intelligent processes can satisfactorily promote the introduction of CE in agricultural activity and thus improve not only the production of the food that is grown, but also the reduction of the biomass and waste generated [40][41].

References

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