scholarly journals Conventionalization of Organic Agriculture: A Multiple Case Study Analysis in Brazil and Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 6580
Author(s):  
Oscar José Rover ◽  
Adevan da Silva Pugas ◽  
Bernardo Corrado De Gennaro ◽  
Francesco Vittori ◽  
Luigi Roselli
Keyword(s):  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Alternative Food ◽  
Alternative Food Networks ◽  
Metropolitan Regions ◽  
Italian Regions ◽  
Food Networks ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact

The conventionalization of organic agriculture has been described as a process in which organic agriculture increasingly adopts the features of conventional modes of production based on industrial farming methods. The increasing supply of organic products to the large retailers is considered the main driver of conventionalization. This process has negative implications for the agrobiodiversity of organic farming systems. The present study aims to investigate and analyze the impact of retailing strategies on the agrobiodiversity of organic farms. A survey of farms located in rural areas near large urban centers (three metropolitan regions in Southern Brazil and four Italian regions) was undertaken. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews based on a semi-structured questionnaire. The analysis indicates that the farms surveyed maintained a high level of agrobiodiversity and active participation in alternative food networks. Our findings point out that there was a significant and positive correlation between the crop richness index and the share of farm sales through alternative food networks. We conclude that adopting various forms of direct sale is the key factor in stimulating farms’ agrobiodiversity, but proximity to densely populated areas is a necessary precondition for the development of the short food supply chains needed to stimulate the diversification of organic agriculture.

Labor and alternative food networks: challenges for farmers and consumers

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 403-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Analena B. Bruce ◽  
Rebecca L. Som Castellano
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Alternative Food ◽  
Alternative Food Networks ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Labor Intensity ◽  
Food Provisioning ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Food Networks ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAlthough alternative food networks (AFNs) have made strides in modeling socially just and environmentally sound agrifood system practices, the next step is to make these innovations available to more people, or to increase participation in AFNs. However, there are several barriers to expanding the impact of AFNs. The labor intensity of producing and consuming foods in AFNs is sometimes overlooked but poses a significant challenge to alternative agrifood systems’ long-term viability. This paper brings together two independently conducted empirical research studies, one focused on sustainable food production and one focused on food provisioning in the sphere of consumption. Farmers engaged in small-scale alternative food production are investing significantly more time in maintaining the health of their soils by practicing crop rotation, growing a greater diversity of crops and building organic matter with cover crops and compost. Because much of this work is unpaid, the added labor requirements pose an obstacle to the financial viability and social sustainability of alternative production methods. On the consumption side, the labor intensity of food provisioning for women engaged in AFNs, combined with other socio-demographic factors, at times, constrains AFN participation. By identifying the ways in which labor may limit the ability of AFNs to expand to a larger portion of the population, this paper helps shed light on ways of increasing the environmental, social and health benefits of AFNs.

How to avoid the tragedy of alternative food networks (AFNs)? The impact of social capital and transparency on AFN performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (7) ◽  
pp. 2171-2186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola De Bernardi ◽  
Alberto Bertello ◽  
Francesco Venuti ◽  
Enrico Foscolo
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Food System ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Alternative Food ◽  
Alternative Food Networks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Networks ◽  
The Impact

PurposeAlternative food networks (AFNs) have recently emerged in the food landscape as new ways of food production, distribution and consumption which are alternatives to the traditional food system. Drawing on the tragedy of the commons, this paper aims to test the role played by social capital and transparency in reducing customer's lethargy and thus enhancing AFN performance in terms of frequency and quantity of purchases made by customers.Design/methodology/approachAn ordered probit model was used to analyse data from a strong database of 2,115 Italian AFN customers. Given the novelty of the topic, the quantitative survey was anticipated by a preliminary qualitative study based on in-depth interviews, focus groups and participant observation.FindingsCustomers play an active role in AFN communities, co-creating value together with the other actors of the network. The two independent variables tested in this model, social capital and transparency, positively and significantly affect customers' quantity and frequency of purchases within AFNs, reducing the occurrence of the tragedy of commons.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge, this study represents one of the first attempts to measure, through a quantitative method, the effect of performance drivers (i.e. social capital and transparency) on AFN performance. Theoretical, managerial and policy implications will be thoroughly presented and discussed along the paper.

scholarly journals Organising Alternative Food Networks (AFNs): Challenges and Facilitating Conditions of different AFN types in three EU countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Poças Ribeiro ◽  
Robert Harmsen ◽  
Giuseppe Feola ◽  
Jesús Rosales Carréon ◽  
Ernst Worrell
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Food ◽  
Alternative Food Networks ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Food Networks ◽  
Facilitating Conditions
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