Search Results (122)

This study analyzes the establishment of Local Agri-Food Systems (LAFSs) in the triple-border region between the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo, by identifying and mapping potential areas of primary peasant agri-food production. An integrated analysis of data sources was treated, processed, and integrated into a common spatial support. Land use and land cover data were used from demographic and agricultural censuses, from the Rural Environmental Registry, agrarian reform settlement projects and conservation units. Our study revealed that 23.73% of the regional area has potential for peasant production, identifying four regions that stand out in terms of this potential. The area presented livestock and animal husbandry as the main agri-food chain, with potential for processing within the territory itself, in addition to extractive activities in the Atlantic Forest biome. The results indicate that there are possibilities for the establishment of LAFSs as a local development strategy associated with social inclusion and environmental responsibility, although there is a need to expand and strengthen the transportation and marketing channels for products from these short chains. The cartographies produced aim to contribute as auxiliary instruments to land use planning and management, seeking to strengthen LAFSs at different scales of governance. Full article

The agroecological (AE) transition of agri-food systems can help address climate change impacts in Tunisia, including reduced local food production and high import dependency, but it requires understanding consumer behavior toward eco-friendly food products. Thus, a survey of 521 Tunisian consumers was conducted to assess environmental awareness and willingness to pay (WTP) for food produced under AE practices. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that sustainable consumption is mainly influenced by knowledge of AE practices, which is stronger among consumers with higher education and income. However, WTP for sustainable products remains low, making it essential to develop marketing strategies that target distinct demographic groups, improve product labeling, and enhance environmental education. Full article

The purpose of this research was twofold. Firstly, it aimed to indicate factors hindering and accelerating the development of organic food as a niche innovation in Poland. Secondly, to depict a phase and a pathway of sustainability transition in the Polish agri-food sector. The analysis was performed taking advantage of the multi-level perspective on socio-technical transitions, which has not been used to analyze the sustainability transition in Poland so far. Data were collected through a systemic literature review. Organic food production is a slow-growing niche in Poland, and the sustainability transition from the current dual agri-food regime consisting of small family farms and intensive food production is at a take-off phase. Organic food production struggles to become a regime with short food supply chains and agroecology, and the number of barriers it faces outweighs the number of enablers for its development. A de-alignment and re-alignment transition pathway can be observed. Which niche innovation becomes dominant depends on changes in regulations and on the development of both local marketplaces and online sales channels. The major conclusion is that in order for the transition in the Polish agri-food sector to happen, it should be better governed. Specifically, we need new policy instruments and governance mechanisms, new financing schemes, alternative and hybrid organizational and ownership structures, and institutional and transformative change approaches. Full article

Local agri-food markets are a key link in the sustainability and resilience of rural communities, as they merge producers and consumers, create jobs and ensure food security. This paper analyzes the state and perspectives of the development of local markets in rural regions of Russia, relying on demographic, economic, structural and innovation indicators. The results show marked regional differences: in urbanized areas the share of the rural population is low and markets are weak, while in Siberia and the Far East, local markets remain vital, albeit under pressure from depopulation. Structural shifts in favor of plant production, along with worsening price parity, indicate reduced profitability of small producers, but also open opportunities for diversification through processing and branding. Analysis of production concentration shows that sectors with more dispersed production (vegetables, milk) enable greater flexibility and resilience of local markets. Highly concentrated sectors remain vulnerable to market shocks. The findings confirm that local markets can be not only guardians of tradition, but also drivers of modernization and growth. The work thereby makes an empirical contribution to the understanding of the sustainability of rural markets and shows that, with targeted policies that link demographic stability, economic incentives, digital tools and ecological practices, local markets can become a pillar of sustainable development and a significant instrument for strengthening the resilience of the agri-food sector in Russia and beyond. Methodologically, the article applies a mixed approach: (i) quantitative analysis of several sets of statistical data (Rosstat, supplementary FAO/OECD/Eurostat) through descriptive indicators and indices (incl. input/output price parity), as well as cluster typology of regions; and (ii) qualitative mapping of findings to contemporary policies and practices. This framework allows structural trends to be directly linked to implications for local food markets. Full article

Since the 1980s, Mexico has undergone profound economic and political transformations grounded in neoliberalism, reflected in the opening of the agri-food sector. As a result, imports of powdered milk increased, consolidating a corporate agri-food regime that has exerted structural pressure on small-scale dairy producers, promoting processes of de-peasantization and proletarianization. This study analyzes the evolution of family dairy farming in Santa Elena, Michoacán, México, with the aim of identifying and analyzing the principal components of family structure, economic and productive rationality that have been maintained over time, and how they are modified to adapt the family dairy farming to the context of contemporary capitalism. It hypothesizes that changes in the main components of family structure, and productive and economic rationality of family dairy households are the result of strengthened peasant characteristics. Based on the analysis of census data of household production units (HPUs) in 2002 and 2018, a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted to characterize and identify changes in the productive and economic structure of these units. The component with variables linking family dairy farming to the market was the most significant and consistent over time. The remaining components varied. Feeding variables formed the second most important component in both studies, which changed its structure in 2018, focusing on minimizing operating costs and utilizing crop residues for feed. It is concluded that family dairy farming in Santa Elena, Michoacán, has adapted to the conditions of global agri-food capitalism without a clear transition toward productive intensification or specialization. Instead, family dairy farming has persisted through diversification strategies, self-management, and access to local markets, demonstrating the persistence of peasant economic rationality. Full article

Agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, yet predicting temperature increases associated with specific CO₂ sources remains challenging due to the heterogeneity of agri-environmental systems. In response, this study presents a machine learning framework that adopts an agri-food system boundary (production to retail) and combines systematic model benchmarking, interpretability, and a multi-scale perspective. Seven regression models, including tree ensembles and deep learning architectures, are evaluated on a harmonized dataset covering 236 countries over the 1990–2020 period to forecast annual temperature increases. Results show that gradient-boosted decision trees consistently outperform deep learning models in predictive accuracy and offer more stable feature attributions. Interpretability analysis reveals that spatio-temporal variables are the dominant drivers of global temperature variation, while environmental and sector-specific factors play more localized roles. A country-level case study on Iran illustrates how the framework captures national deviations from global patterns, highlighting intensive rice cultivation and on-farm energy use as key influential factors. By integrating high-performance predictions with interpretable insights, the proposed framework supports the design of both global and country-specific climate mitigation strategies. Full article

This article develops a model of inclusive innovation aimed at strengthening the sustainability of the Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear) value chain in Sonsón (Antioquia, Colombia), situating the problem within the broader Latin American context of local agri-food systems under market and climate pressures. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining fieldwork in rural veredas (villages), producer surveys, focus groups, and interviews with key stakeholders, along with social cartography, production process mapping, farm georeferencing, and document analysis. Relational diagrams (based on Atlas.ti conventions) and agent-based modeling are incorporated to represent interactions, knowledge flows, and governance rules. A unique ecosystem unprecedented in the literature is proposed, structured around three pillars: (i) preservation and appropriation of the fruit and traditional knowledge, (ii) social context, and (iii) use. These pillars position key capabilities for fostering either inclusive or traditional innovations. The smallholder farmer and the inclusive intermediary emerge as transversal relational actors, a critical condition for overcoming failed attempts at producer association and entrenched oligopsonistic dependencies. The article concludes that combining these three pillars with local capacities and a bottom-up inclusive intermediation approach reduces power asymmetries, strengthens associativity and commercialization, redistributes value toward the origin, and preserves traditional knowledge. As a result, it contributes to endogenous development and offers adaptable pathways for other agri-food value chains. Full article

Spain’s olive oil production is world-leading. A significant portion of Spain’s olive oil production is in Andalusia, a southern region. In the Estepa region, a local agri-food system based on olive monoculture is emerging. Furthermore, producers are implementing strategies for differential quality and environmental sustainability to increase the competitiveness of their products. One of the main challenges facing the agricultural sector is generational change. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the results of the actions implemented to enhance the organization, sustainability, quality of production, and prices. The aim is to contrast, through a case study, the qualitative aspects that have enabled them to improve their product price through a competitiveness strategy based on quality improvement, which required synergistic actions in terms of productive structuring and sustainability. To this end, this study conducted structured interviews with key stakeholders in the PDO and consulted the National Reference Price Index at Origin. The results show that the pricing system based on olive oil quality has resulted in producers obtaining a differential income of €200/t in the market. However, it has been unable to halt the structural rural exodus and the progressive abandonment of productive agricultural activities. The study offers recommendations for rural development policymakers. Research into new models of production and organization for rural areas that offer social and environmental sustainability is vital, as these models have great relevance for political decision-making. Full article

This study assesses and inventories agrodiversity within eleven representative oases of the pre-Saharan regions of Morocco, ecosystems that are particularly vulnerable to climate change and socio-economic pressures. The findings highlight the central role of fruit tree diversity in structuring and sustaining the resilience of oasis agroecosystems, complementing cereal and fodder crops. Special attention was given to the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), a secondary but underutilized fruit species in Moroccan agriculture, which was found to hold a significant position in the surveyed oases. Farmer and community surveys identified five local denominations or varieties, including an original form known as “Guersmoum” or “Hamed,” distinguished by its spontaneous, non-cultivated character. This unique case exemplifies the remarkable coexistence between wild and domesticated forms, reflecting the complex dynamics between cultivated and wild biodiversity. The presence and use of this variety are closely linked to the production of a traditional local agri-food product, pomegranate molasses (“Amaghousse”), an artisanal know-how transmitted across generations and primarily preserved by women. The study documents several aspects of this practice, including processing techniques, yield ratios, and marketing channels, emphasizing both the economic and cultural significance of this local product. The discussion underscores the close interconnections between traditional knowledge, gendered practices, and the conservation of genetic diversity, showing how the promotion of local resources contributes not only to the preservation of agrodiversity but also to the maintenance of oasis cultural identities. Finally, the study highlights the broader implications of these findings for development initiatives, particularly through the recognition and promotion of distinctive local agri-food products, the integration of women in local conservation strategies, and the implementation of sustainable management approaches for fruit genetic resources. Full article

The aim of our study is to investigate the factors that drive craft beer consumption choices in Italy. To this end, we simultaneously analyze purchase intentions and actual craft beer consumption. The theoretical approach took into account the main doctrinal frameworks, particularly those most widely used in marketing studies. Through PLS-SEM analysis (partial least squares structural equation modeling), we examine how consumption habits, liking, appeal, territorial identities, and perceived quality shape intentions and also the actual behavior of Italian consumers towards craft beer. The results highlight how attractiveness and interest in the craft beer phenomenon, lifestyle, and curiosity for new flavors and aromas demonstrate an openness to craft beer and a new cultural identity among consumers. In many cases, respondents stated that they wanted to support local craft breweries and the local economy. Consumer trust in agri-food products is closely linked to their perception of authenticity and compliance with quality and safety standards. A better understanding of these aspects could help everyone involved in the entire supply chain implement more effective and targeted campaigns. Full article

Interest in consumer behavior regarding agri-food products is growing, particularly in the context of sustainable and local consumption. This study examines consumer perceptions of certified mountain products in Romania, with a specific focus on cow’s milk. A structured survey was conducted among 576 respondents from the Bucharest–Ilfov metropolitan area, representing the target population of regular food consumers. The data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistical methods in SPSS, including chi-square tests and contingency coefficients, to evaluate consumer awareness, attitudes, and their willingness to pay. The results reveal that although awareness of the “mountain product” label is high (88.9%), its direct influence on purchase decisions remains limited, with price, brand, and origin playing stronger roles. Nevertheless, 95% of respondents expressed willingness to pay a premium price, and over 70% associated mountain certification with health benefits and higher quality. These findings highlight both the potential and current limitations of certification as a market-based tool to support sustainable consumption and the economic resilience of mountain areas. The study contributes empirical evidence from a less explored national context. It offers insights for policymakers, producers, and retailers seeking to strengthen short food supply chains and consumer trust in certified labels. Full article

Agriculture is Ireland’s largest sector with agri-food exports amounting to EUR 15.2B in 2021. However, agriculture is also Ireland’s largest contributor to GHGs, accounting for 37.4% of emissions in 2020. Developing indigenous renewable energy sources is a national objective towards reducing GHG emissions. The National Policy Statement on the Bioeconomy of Ireland advises a cascading principle of biomass use, where higher-value applications are derived from biomass before energy generation. This research quantifies and characterises biomass wastes at farms, food production, and forestry settings in counties Monaghan and Tipperary, Ireland. Value chains, along with Sankey diagrams, are presented, which identify biomass that can be exploited for valorisation and show their fates in industry/environment. The quantity of biomass wastes available for valorisation under Business as Usual (BAU) vs. Best-Case Scenario (BCS) models is presented. BCS assumes a co-operative system to increase the feedstock available for valorisation. In Monaghan, 73 t of biomass waste vs. 240 t are available for valorisation under Scenario A vs. Scenario B, respectively. In contrast, in Tipperary, a 7-fold increase in biomass waste is achieved, comparing Scenario A (126 t) against Scenario B (905 t). This highlights the importance of engaging local stakeholders to build co-operative models for biomass valorisation. Not only is this environmentally beneficial, but also socially and economically advantageous. Creating indigenous fertiliser and energy sources is important for the island of Ireland, not only in meeting market demand, but also in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieving emission reduction targets. Full article

Agricultural production systems and certificates of origin determine consumers’ preferences for agri-food products, attributes which have mainly been investigated separately. In this study, we examined the joint effect of these two quality criteria and how they influence agri-food choices. To this end, a choice experiment exercise was applied for extra virgin olive oil agri-food in a protected geographical area of south-eastern Spain where non-conventional production systems (organic and integrated pest management) and product origin labels (protected designation of origin and sustainable local brand) associated with the territory are being used. The results demonstrated that consumers’ choices to purchase extra virgin olive oil were primarily influenced by the type of production system, with a clear preference evident for organic systems. Furthermore, consumer preferences for sustainable local over generic national certificates of origin were also confirmed. In concrete terms, the willingness to pay for organic extra virgin olive oil is more than double that of the conventional one, while the surcharge for local origin may rise up to 75%. This work contributes to the understanding of how information related to the type of production system and its interaction between different origin certification labels applies in agri-food products, offering broader implications for producers and policy makers. Full article

The present study focuses on the attractiveness and perceived value of differentiated quality labels, such as the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), for agri-food products from Extremadura (Spain). In doing so, it addresses a gap in the scientific literature concerning consumer behavior toward products bearing these certifications. The results show that awareness of these quality schemes is significantly higher among middle-aged and older individuals, underscoring the need for more modern and targeted communication strategies. The findings highlight the strategic role of agri-food marketing in promoting certified products and emphasize the importance of bridging the generational gap in consumer education. Overall, differentiated quality schemes are perceived as strategic tools to enhance the competitiveness of local products, strengthen cultural identity, and foster sustainable rural economies. Furthermore, this study identifies a negative relationship between the consumption of certified products and the awareness of certification and a positive relationship with the willingness to pay a premium. Consumers with greater awareness tend consume these products less, although they are more willing to pay higher prices for items bearing quality labels. Full article

This research aims to determine the utilization levels of local products and the challenges and opportunities of creating a recognizable food-centered cultural identity based on collaborative networks developed between agriculture and tourism. This has the potential to strengthen collaborative entrepreneurship. It uniquely contributes to the existing literature by exploring the connections between agri-food and tourism, while proposing strategies to maximize business opportunities centered on food culture. Descriptive and inferential statistics are conducted based on primary data collected by distributing a questionnaire to 59 public and private organizations in the Peloponnese region in Greece, which has significant agricultural production but limited tourist flows. The results indicate a lack of collective action and business recognition of the value of regional food culture among participants. The human resources employed in tourism lack the skills to highlight traditional food heritage. The presence of structural and operational barriers undermines efforts to facilitate communication, manage suppliers, and enhance the visibility of products designated with Geographical Indications. This paper offers preliminary results; however, extensive future studies are needed to validate the findings fully. The study highlights key implications: Improved communication between stakeholders could enhance the management of the local food network. Agri-food and tourism businesses can develop educational programs and food-focused tourism packages that promote social cohesion and preserve cultural heritage. Full article