Harold aims to fill the gap between research and implementation and improve the relation between sustainable practices and their implementation amongst Swedish livestock producers.
I did my bachelor’s in Economics at Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management where I gained a strong economic background and analytical skills but also realized the need for me to give more sense to my learnings. I therefore moved to Sweden to pursue my studies with a greater emphasis on the environment and its challenges and did my master’s in Environmental Economics at SLU.
During my master’s, I transitioned my interests in economics towards the agricultural landscape as I started to learn more about it. Eventually, I gained valuable experience and deeper understanding on animal production and Swedish producers through the elaboration of my thesis on farmers willingness to adopt silvopasture practices. I applied for the SustAinimal PhD position in economics as I wanted to seize the opportunity to keep working and actively participate in the transition towards sustainable and resilient livestock production as this is more relevant than ever.
My focus is to help filling the gap between research and implementation and improving the relation between sustainable practices and their implementation amongst Swedish livestock producers. I hope to achieve this particularly by assessing and enhancing the role of policy and communication.
The role of animal production could be most predominant in reversing the climate crisis if policy and communication better enhanced the implementation of sustainable and resilient practices. Through my work in SustAinimal I get to be part of a project of great relevance and necessity.
Opdenbosch, H., Hansson, H. Farmers’ willingness to adopt silvopastoral systems: investigating cattle producers’ compensation claims and attitudes using a contingent valuation approach. Agroforest Syst 97, 133–149 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-022-00793-0
Manevska-Tasevska, G., Swärd, R., Opdenbosch, H. & Brady, M. (2023). Skötsel av naturbetesmarker - hur upplever lantbrukare de krav som ställs? (Rapport 2023:4). Agrifood. AgriFood Rapport 2023:4 - Skötsel av naturbetesmarker- hur upplever lantbrukare de krav som ställs?
https://agrifood.se/Files/AgriFood_Rapport20234.pdf