A Multi-Actor Literature Review on Alternative and Sustainable Food Systems for the Promotion of Cereal Biodiversity

Giovanna Sacchi, Leonardo Cei, Gianluca Stefani, Ginevra Virginia Lombardi, Benedetto Rocchi (), Giovanni Belletti, Susanne Padel, Anna Sellars, Edneia Gagliardi, Giuseppe Nocella, Sarah Cardey, Minna Mikkola, Urszula Ala-Karvia, Àine Macken-Walsh, Bridin McIntyre, John Hyland, Maeve Henchion, Riccardo Bocci, Bettina Bussi, Giuseppe De Santis, Ismael Rodriguez y Hurtado, Patrick De Kochko, Pierre Riviere, María Carrascosa-García, Ignacio Martínez, Bruce Pearce, Nic Lampkin, Camille Vindras, Frederic Rey, Véronique Chable, Antoine Cormery and Gyula Vasvari
Additional contact information
Leonardo Cei: Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padua Via dell’Università, Legnaro, 16-35020 Padua, Italy
Ginevra Virginia Lombardi: Department of Economics and Management, University of Florence, Via delle Pandette, 32-50127 Florence, Italy
Susanne Padel: The Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury, RG20 0HR Berkshire, UK
Anna Sellars: The Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury, RG20 0HR Berkshire, UK
Edneia Gagliardi: Agri-Food Economics and Social Science, School of Agriculture Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading RG66AH, UK
Giuseppe Nocella: Agri-Food Economics and Social Science, School of Agriculture Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading RG66AH, UK
Sarah Cardey: Agri-Food Economics and Social Science, School of Agriculture Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading RG66AH, UK
Minna Mikkola: Ruralia Institute, University of Helsinki, Kampusranta 9C, 60320 Seinäjoki, Finland
Urszula Ala-Karvia: Ruralia Institute, University of Helsinki, Kampusranta 9C, 60320 Seinäjoki, Finland
Àine Macken-Walsh: Rural Economy and Development Programme, Teagasc, Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Ashtown, D15 KN3K Dublin, Ireland
Bridin McIntyre: Rural Economy and Development Programme, Teagasc, Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Ashtown, D15 KN3K Dublin, Ireland
John Hyland: Rural Economy and Development Programme, Teagasc, Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Ashtown, D15 KN3K Dublin, Ireland
Maeve Henchion: Rural Economy and Development Programme, Teagasc, Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Ashtown, D15 KN3K Dublin, Ireland
Riccardo Bocci: Rete Semi Rurali, Via di Casignano, Scandicci, 25-50018 Florence, Italy
Bettina Bussi: Rete Semi Rurali, Via di Casignano, Scandicci, 25-50018 Florence, Italy
Giuseppe De Santis: Rete Semi Rurali, Via di Casignano, Scandicci, 25-50018 Florence, Italy
Ismael Rodriguez y Hurtado: Réseau Semences Paysannes, 10, Place Clémenceau, 47190 Aiguillon, France
Patrick De Kochko: Réseau Semences Paysannes, 10, Place Clémenceau, 47190 Aiguillon, France
Pierre Riviere: Réseau Semences Paysannes, 10, Place Clémenceau, 47190 Aiguillon, France
María Carrascosa-García: Red Andaluza De Semillas Cultivando Biodiversidad, Parque de San Jerónimo s/n. 41015 Seville, Spain
Ignacio Martínez: Red Andaluza De Semillas Cultivando Biodiversidad, Parque de San Jerónimo s/n. 41015 Seville, Spain
Bruce Pearce: The Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury, RG20 0HR Berkshire, UK
Nic Lampkin: The Organic Research Centre, Elm Farm, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury, RG20 0HR Berkshire, UK
Camille Vindras: Institut Technique de l’Agriculture Biologique, 2485 Route des Pécolets, 26800 Etoile-sur-Rhône, France
Frederic Rey: Institut Technique de l’Agriculture Biologique, 2485 Route des Pécolets, 26800 Etoile-sur-Rhône, France
Véronique Chable: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA Centre Bretagne-Normandie, UMR BAGAP, 65 rue de Saint-Brieuc, 35042 Rennes CEDEX, France
Antoine Cormery: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA Centre Bretagne-Normandie, UMR BAGAP, 65 rue de Saint-Brieuc, 35042 Rennes CEDEX, France
Gyula Vasvari: Centre for Agricultural and Applied Economic Sciences (DE-AGTC), University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary

Agriculture, 2018, vol. 8, issue 11, 1-29

Abstract: Organic and low-input food systems are emerging worldwide in answer to the sustainability crisis of the conventional agri-food sector. “Alternative” systems are based on local, decentralized approaches to production and processing, regarding quality and health, and short supply-chains for products with strong local identities. Diversity is deeply embedded in these food systems, from the agrobiodiversity grown in farmers’ fields, which improves resilience and adaptation, to diverse approaches, contexts and actors in food manufacturing and marketing. Diversity thus becomes a cross-sectoral issue which acknowledges consumers’ demand for healthy products. In the framework of the European project “CERERE, CEreal REnaissance in Rural Europe: embedding diversity in organic and low-input food systems”, the paper aims at reviewing recent research on alternative and sustainable food systems by adopting an innovative and participatory multi-actor approach; this has involved ten practitioners and twenty-two researchers from across Europe and a variety of technical backgrounds in the paper and analysis stages. The participatory approach is the main innovation and distinctive feature of this literature review. Partners selected indeed what they perceived as most relevant in order to facilitate a transition towards more sustainable and diversity based cereal systems and food chains. This includes issues related to alternative food networks, formal and informal institutional settings, grass root initiatives, consumer involvement and, finally, knowledge exchange and sustainability. The review provides an overview of recent research that is relevant to CERERE partners as well as to anyone interested in alternative and sustainable food systems. The main objective of this paper was indeed to present a narrative of studies, which can form the foundation for future applied research to promote alternative methods of cereal production in Europe.

Keywords: sustainable agriculture; low-input farming; safe and healthy diet; locally based agriculture; low-input cereal supply-chains (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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