Ecological transitions within agri-food systems: a Franco-Brazilian comparison[Les voies de la transition écologique des systèmes alimentaires territoriaux : une comparaison France - Brésil]

The ecological transition of food systems raises expectations and generates actions, both from public authorities and the civil society. A socio-historical analysis of situated experiences, within a systemic and pragmatic focus, is needed to address the diversity of the transition strategies and understand the mechanisms of change and the conditions of such ecological transition. Four case studies have been selected to analyse and compare such transition processes in France and in Brazil : 2 from rural areas of Southern France (Ardèche and Biovallée) and 2 from urban regions in Brazil and France (Curitiba and Rennes). This compared analysis shows that the transformation of the food system is always the result of complex interactions between a wide range of initiatives and actions, held by diverse and sometimes unexpected players. Those actions can combine and strengthen each other or on the contrary generate conflicts. Appropriate modes of governance are thus needed inside the food system in order to make it desirable and feasible, under environmental, social cultural and economic aspects. The 4 different paths that have been investigated put in evidence two archetypical ways. They rely on differentiated relations between public authorities and the civil society. In all cases, the involvement of civil society has been key to awareness raising and stimulation for food initiatives. But the way this mobilization has been integrated and developed by public authorities deeply differ. In the Southern Ardèche case, the linkages between the farmers' initiatives and the local policies do not appear strong enough to include the diversity of agrifood actors within a territorial ecological transition path. In the Biovallée and in Rennes, trust and permeability have been built between diverse agricultural and food networks (of farmers, eaters, entrepreneurs) and the decision makers in order to let these different actors collectively take responsibility in the transition process. In the Curitiba case, public intervention has materialized in two ambitious and articulated programmes but it is not really linked to the creativity of social movements.