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What is Sustainable Agriculture? Critical Analysis of the International Political Discourse

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  • Judith Janker

    (Research Group Socioeconomics, Agroscope, 8356 Ettenhausen, Switzerland stefan.mann@agroscope.admin.ch
    Institute of Geography, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Stefan Mann

    (Research Group Socioeconomics, Agroscope, 8356 Ettenhausen, Switzerland stefan.mann@agroscope.admin.ch)

  • Stephan Rist

    (Institute of Geography, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
    Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

Abstract

The concepts, ‘sustainable development’ and ‘sustainable agriculture’, have been shaped by both political discourses of the United Nations and scientific discourses. Using critical discourse and content analysis, we trace the meaning of ‘sustainable agriculture’ in both international political and in scientific discourses to examine and identify key elements of the representation of sustainable agriculture. We found that the meanings of the concept of sustainable agriculture vary markedly: International political actors primarily produce discourses on sustainable development in agriculture and on sustainable agricultural intensification. Scientists tend to emphasise issues of environmental management. Based on our findings, we highlight the differences in the meaning of sustainable agriculture between the political and scientific discourses and attempt to explain them. In addition, discursive gaps are shown that have the potential to hinder the systematic operationalization of ‘sustainable agriculture’, such as the integration of a social dimension of sustainable agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • Judith Janker & Stefan Mann & Stephan Rist, 2018. "What is Sustainable Agriculture? Critical Analysis of the International Political Discourse," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:12:p:4707-:d:189500
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    2. Erbaugh, James & Bierbaum, Rosina & Castilleja, Guillermo & da Fonseca, Gustavo A.B. & Hansen, Steffen Cole Brandstrup, 2019. "Toward sustainable agriculture in the tropics," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 158-162.
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    8. Judith Janker, 2020. "Moral conflicts, premises and the social dimension of agricultural sustainability," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 37(1), pages 97-111, March.
    9. Galiana-Carballo, C. & Rivera-Ferre, M.G. & Méndez, P.F. & Palau-Salvador, G., 2024. "Reducing fossil fuel dependency in smallholding farming in l'Horta de València, Spain: A socio-metabolic approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
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