While a number of works question the alterity of alternative food chains, little has been said about the social processes under which new economic models are, or may be, developed within the broader movement around ‘short food supply chains’ (SFCs) in Europe. Considering SFCs as economic organisations, we propose an analytical framework based on New Economic Sociology and Convention Theory, enriched by Social and Solidarity Economics, to capture the social construction of new economic models in such chains.
Participatory plant breeding (PPB) is based on the decentralization of selection in farmers’ fields and their involvement in decision-making at all steps of the breeding scheme. Despite the evidence of its benefits to develop population varieties adapted to diversified and local practices and conditions, such as organic farming, PPB is still not widely used. There is a need to share more broadly how the different programs have overcome scientific, practical, and organizational issues and produced a large number of positive outcomes.
This data article contains annotation data characterizing Multi Criteria Assessment (MCA) Methods proposed in the agri-food sector by researchers from INRA, Europe's largest agricultural research institute (INRA, https://institut.inra.fr/en). MCA can be used to assess and compare agricultural and food systems, and support multi-actor decision making and design of innovative systems for crop production, animal production and processing of agricultural products.
Description du sujet. Une approche système basée sur la co-conception et l’évaluation expérimentale in situ de prototypes de systèmes de culture (SDC) a été mise en œuvre dans le projet INRA « GeDuNem » pour une gestion durable des nématodes à galles (NG) dans les systèmes maraîchers sous abris.
La diminution du nombre de prairies, que l’on observe à l’échelle mondiale depuis plusieurs décennies, s’est accompagnée de l’évolution de leur mode de gestion dans un contexte d’intensification de l’usage des terres. Face aux enjeux que ces changements impliquent, tant sur le plan environnemental qu’économique, il est nécessaire d’identifier et de caractériser les dynamiques spatiotemporelles des prairies, afin notamment d’évaluer les impacts du changement climatique sur ces dernières et leur capacité à s’y adapter.
L’agriculture souffre d’un important déficit d’image : qualité des produits jugée médiocre, non respect de l’environnement, pénibilité des métiers… La réalité est cependant tout autre. Tout en restant profondément ancré dans la vie des territoires, ce secteur est devenu numéro deux de la robotisation. De nouvelles méthodes fondées sur le traitement des données, des outils innovants, intelligents et connectés, ainsi que des réseaux de diffusion des innovations et d’entraide contribuent à transformer en profondeur l’agriculture.
This article highlights the experiences and lessons generated by the project collaborators in enhancing the adaptive capacities of selected upland farming communities in Southeast Asia. The project collaborators employed capability building programs, such as farmers' and technicians' training, local climate change awareness programs, cross-farm visits, demonstration plots showcasing agroforestry technologies as climate change adaptation (CCA) strategies, and linking science with policies
The tank-based irrigated agricultural system in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka is one of the oldest historically evolved agricultural systems in the world. The main component of the system consists of a connected series of man-made tanks constructed in shallow valleys to store, convey and utilize water for paddy cultivation. Up to 10,000 tanks originating from the heydays of ancient kingdoms are still integrated in the current agricultural landscape. During the last two millennia, this indigenous system has undergone many changes in technological, management and socio-cultural norms.
Exclusion of Indigenous and local communities' connections to the rest-of-nature is a typical problem in policy-decision making. This paper highlights the key attributes of these connections and suggests evaluation pathways to mainstream them into policy development. For this, we integrate and apply the ecosystem services (ES) and human capability concepts.
This study focuses on the accumulated indigenous knowledge of the Yao ethnic minority in Bac Kan Province of Vietnam. Through centuries of observation and experimentation, the Yao people have developed complex farming systems, cultural practices, and a knowledge base well-suited to their environments. Data for this study was collected through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions to gather indigenous knowledge on native crop varieties and animal breeds, weather forecasting, and the timing and location of cultivation practices.