Evaluating the drivers of environmental sustainability practices – mango farm managers’ perspective

C. Muangmee¹, N. Kassakorn¹, N. Meekaewkunchorn¹, B. Khalid²* and M. Urbański³*

¹Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University, Faculty of Management Science, 1061 Soi Issaraphap 15, Hiranruchi, Thonburi, Bangkok TH10600, Thailand
²KMITL Business School, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, 1 Soi Chalongkrung 1, Ladkrabang, Ladkrabang, Bangkok TH10520, Thailand
³Road and Bridge Research Institute, ul. Instytutowa 1, PL03-302 Warszawa, Poland
*Correspondence: khalidb9998@gmail.com; murbanski@ibdim.edu.pl

Abstract:

This study evaluated the drivers of environmental sustainability practices using mango farm managers in Thailand. The purpose was to ascertain farmers’ ability to conserve natural resources and protect the ecosystem. This was necessitated to raise environmental awareness, promote sustainable human development, and increase economic growth and quality of life. The study adopted a quantitative survey design with primary data collected from mango farm managers in four provinces in Thailand. Data were collected from a total of 383 respondents. The data was analyzed using CFA and SEM techniques employing SPSS v26 and AMOS v26. The findings showed that Organizational Culture and Employee Training significantly and positively influence Environmental Sustainability Practices in managing mango as a natural resource. Organizational Culture was also found to positively mediate the effect of information system adoption. The study concluded that management and employees in mango farms should be trained about the importance of environmental sustainability and encouraged to cultivate a culture grounded in the sustainability practices of mango as a natural resource. They should be taught how advancing and adopting sustainable practices by subsistence and commercial mango farmers in Thailand can enhance sustainable development, economic growth, and regional cooperation by checking materials and methods.

Key words:

human development, information system adoption, natural resources, organizational culture

Freshwater sapropel (gyttja): its description, properties and opportunities of use in contemporary agriculture

K. Stankevica, Z. Vincevica-Gaile and M. Klavins*

University of Latvia, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, Department of Environmental Science, Jelgavas street 1, LV-1004, Riga
*Correspondence: maris.klavins@lu.lv

Abstract:

Sapropel (gyttja or dy) is a type of fine-grained and loose sediments, rich in organic matter, deposited in freshwater bodies. Properties of sapropel and quite wide possibilities of extraction makes it as an important natural resource that can be used predominantly in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, farming. Sapropel and its processing products are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, with a definite content of nutrients. The aim of the current paper was to gather the available information about the sapropel properties and its application in agriculture as soil fertilizer or soil amendment, indicating the efficiency and possible ways amounts of application. Another reason why the investigation of sapropel is important in the Baltic States and northern Europe is its wide distribution and availability in freshwater bodies that leads to find out new ways of extraction and bioeconomically-effective utilization of this highly valuable natural resource, obtainable in economically significant amounts, with high opportunities of its use in agriculture. Contemporary agriculture strongly desiderates in new products of high effectivity enhancing soil and crop productivity and quality hand in hand with sustainable development and careful attitude to the nature and surrounding environment.

Key words: