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The pandemic crisis has created significant challenges for small farms, leading to increased energy costs, higher prices for feed and nutrients, unreliable supplies of chemical fertilizers, and disruptions in product sales markets. These factors have collectively compromised the operational viability and economic sustainability of small-scale agricultural enterprises. To address these challenges, this paper explores the concept of a self-sufficient farming system, focusing on locally producing most of the resources needed to sustain operations and reduce dependence on external sources. A self-sufficient integrated pisciculture farming system is proposed and evaluated, promoting an autonomous circular model that prioritizes environmental sustainability. This system incorporates the integration of local livestock into fish diets, production of renewable energy sources, and efficient water and sludge management to reduce reliance on external resources. The detailed methodology used to evaluate sustainability indicators objectively demonstrates that the proposed system can be self-sustainable and autonomous; however, it requires considerable initial investments that can be recovered within at least six years. Optimizing the energy management plan can reduce daily power consumption by up to 25%. However, local conditions may challenge the efficiency of photovoltaic–hybrid energy production, requiring slight oversizing of the system. The research indicated that rearing carp with cereal-based feed mixtures produces growth results comparable to those achieved with commercially purchased feed. The indicators of resource efficiency, reliability, flexibility, productivity, environmental impact, and social impact were met as expected. The weakest indicator was the technology's potential for scalability, due to its strong dependence on various regional factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the emergence of Agriculture 4.0, which integrates automation, robotics, and data-driven systems to optimize farming operations and increase productivity. Advanced machinery and production systems in Agriculture 4.0 improve efficiency, reduce labor costs, and minimize environmental impact. The integration of automation and robotics allows farmers to optimize crop productivity while conserving resources. Data-driven systems enable farmers to make more informed decisions about planting, irrigation, and pest control. Modern agricultural technologies, such as vertical farming and hydroponics, maximize land use and save water. Artificial intelligence and machine learning enable predictive analytics, resulting in more consistent crop output. However, there are concerns about job displacement, affordability for small-scale farmers, technical failures, data privacy, and environmental impact. The article emphasizes the need for a balanced discussion about the implications of Agriculture 4.0 to ensure social equity, environmental sustainability, and resilience in farming practices. The article also highlights five research manuscripts that contribute to the knowledge in the field of modern agricultural machines and production systems. [Extracted from the article]

This paper presents the interaction system within the mechanical soil processing process, consisting of two large elements, the metal of the tool and the soil. Due to the two main forces acting on the chisel knives—friction and impact with the sandy soil—the wear of these chisel knives was determined. To determine the wear, a stand was used which allowed testing chisel-type knives in laboratory conditions by changing their functional parameters: working depth, angle of the knives to work the soil, working speed, humidity and granulation of the test environment. The present paper presents an application of the Archard-type wear law to the contact between a chisel-type knife and sandy soil (wet and dry sand). The theoretical model regarding the Archard wear coefficient considered three forms of surface damage (shake down, ratcheting and micro-cutting). The sand was considered spherical and rigid and the surface of the knife was flat. The experimental model considered real steel knives with different surface hardness and operation under controlled conditions of sand granulation, humidity, attack angle, depth of penetration and speed of sliding. The theoretical and experimental results highlight the wear behavior of chisel knives (Archard coefficient) in wet and dry sand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grape pomace is particularly noted for its content of fiber, phenolic compounds, unsaturated lipids and sterols, vitamins and antioxidants. In this paper are presented results of the performed research for determination of vitamin C, total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity in case of flours (grape pomace flour, grape seed flour, grape skin flour) obtained from winemaking by-products. There were taken into the study, winemaking by-products from three grape varieties: Blauer Zweigelt, Burgund Mare and Fetească Regală. Vitamin C content of flours obtained from winemaking by-products varied in the range of 18.25-25.75 mg/100 g FW and total polyphenol content varied in the range of 57.45-258.75 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g FW. Due to the content in bioactive compounds, the obtained flours have an antioxidant capacity (9.98-46.12 mg trolox equivalent (TE)/g FW). The highest value of the antioxidant capacity was recorded in the case of grape seed flour, this one being followed by the grape pomace flour, on the last place being the grape peel flour. Due to the complex biochemical composition, the flours obtained from winemaking by- products, can be considered as functional ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]