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

Author

Listed:
  • Giovanna Sacchi

    (Department of Economics and Management, University of Florence, Via delle Pandette, 32-50127 Florence, Italy)

  • Leonardo Cei

    (Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padua Via dell’Università, Legnaro, 16-35020 Padua, Italy)

  • Gianluca Stefani

    (Department of Economics and Management, University of Florence, Via delle Pandette, 32-50127 Florence, Italy)

  • Ginevra Virginia Lombardi

    (Department of Economics and Management, University of Florence, Via delle Pandette, 32-50127 Florence, Italy)

  • Benedetto Rocchi

    (Department of Economics and Management, University of Florence, Via delle Pandette, 32-50127 Florence, Italy)

  • Giovanni Belletti

    (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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanna Sacchi & Leonardo Cei & Gianluca Stefani & Ginevra Virginia Lombardi & Benedetto Rocchi & Giovanni Belletti & Susanne Padel & Anna Sellars & Edneia Gagliardi & Giuseppe Nocella & Sarah Cardey, 2018. "A Multi-Actor Literature Review on Alternative and Sustainable Food Systems for the Promotion of Cereal Biodiversity," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-29, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:8:y:2018:i:11:p:173-:d:180121
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    References listed on IDEAS

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