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Innovation in agriculture with network analysis: the case of biochar

Logos Nikolaos

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Summary

In recent years, with the current environmental problems that have emerged, it is becoming a necessity to revise the practices of the previous century and contribute to the circular economy with respect for the environment. The case that will be studied is that of understanding and dynamics of innovative techniques in agriculture through the study of private or institutional actors to whom farmers turn and seek advice.Such a case of innovation is biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from the pyrolysis (heating at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen) of biomass, such as crop residues or wood. It has characteristics that have brought it to the forefront of research to become another tool in humanity's fight against climate change. Although the process of creating it can be characterized as complex, involving the pyrolysis process, efforts have already been made to produce it from agriculture in more technologically advanced countries. It is worth noting that biochar can be produced from organic material that is considered waste for farmers, freeing them from the headache of how to 'get rid of it', while the final product possesses features that make it ideal for use as a soil enhancer or sorption medium, offering multiple benefits to farmers for achieving a circular economy. Empirical research within the framework of the RESCHEDULE research project, implemented under the coordination of the Agricultural Engineering lab at the Technical University of Crete, evaluated the ecosystem services of alternative cultivation practices in olive cultivation, where the application of biochar combined with the avoidance of tillage is ranked among the most interesting.Social network analysis is a scientific practice that has its roots in the field of sociology, using elements from other sciences such as mathematics, and aims to study a multitude of individuals, companies, or organizations as a single network, which network consists of the nodes that are its members and contributes to the dissemination of information. This study will examine how innovation and collaborations spread in the agricultural sector in a region near the Technical University of Crete using social network analysis, with the aim of identifying weaknesses and optimizing the network. Subsequently, an attempt will be made to introduce the use of biochar in the network under study as a soil improver, in the perspective of shaping the network, and it will be investigated how this can affect the functioning of the network and have a positive impact on its members. The study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the topic and highlights the importance of a scientific approach in solving complex social issues.

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