International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=1&year=2011&vol=9&issue=1/2 Inderscience Publishers Ltd en-uk International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology 1462-4605 1471-5004 © 2011 Inderscience Publishers Ltd editor@inderscience.com https://www.inderscience.com/images/files/coverImgs/ijarge_scoverijarge.jpg http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=1&year=2011&vol=9&issue=1/2 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=40215 The chronic crisis affecting modern agriculture is indicating that the present paradigm of food production may not be viable in the long term to insure food security on a global scale, despite the brilliant outcomes achieved through the last several decades. Dwindling fossil fuel resources are exacerbating an ongoing crisis that has been lingering since the early 1970s. A recent enthusiasm to revamp agriculture in the mid-west region of the USA is focusing on ethanol production from corn (Zea mays) to suffice for the need of biofuels but this trend has significantly affected food costs. A presentation of the latest review in agroecological research is offered in this work in order to persuade stakeholders in agriculture about the viability of agroecology to serve as a vehicle for achieving food security and sustainability. Agroecology to the rescue of food security and germplasm conservation in a global market economy
Bruno Borsari
International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 1/2 (2011) pp. 1 - 14
The chronic crisis affecting modern agriculture is indicating that the present paradigm of food production may not be viable in the long term to insure food security on a global scale, despite the brilliant outcomes achieved through the last several decades. Dwindling fossil fuel resources are exacerbating an ongoing crisis that has been lingering since the early 1970s. A recent enthusiasm to revamp agriculture in the mid-west region of the USA is focusing on ethanol production from corn (Zea mays) to suffice for the need of biofuels but this trend has significantly affected food costs. A presentation of the latest review in agroecological research is offered in this work in order to persuade stakeholders in agriculture about the viability of agroecology to serve as a vehicle for achieving food security and sustainability.

]]> 10.1504/IJARGE.2011.040215 International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 1/2 (2011) pp. 1 - 14 Bruno Borsari Department of Biology, Winona State University, 215 Pasteur Hall, Winona, MN 55987, USA agroecology biofuels biomass biotechnology GMO foods renewable energy sustainability sustainable development food security germplasm conservation genetically modified foods food costs. 2011-05-21T23:20:50-05:00 9 1/2 1 14 2011-05-21T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=40216 The aim of the present study is to assess the individual and collective agroecological changes of farmers located in the same drainage basin in Guadeloupe. Farmers of this basin were interviewed; sociogrammes were drawn up and correlated with the farm distribution in the study area. The network analysis combined with the spatial configuration analysis highlighted how the geographical area had an impact on interactions between farmers, and how the extent of the local dimension of these interactions governed some exchanges. We revealed also how alternative production orientations seemed to be introduced within the network so as to facilitate change while preserving some social structural stability. This indicates that new strategies should be introduced by providing farmers with technical training that stresses both technical and social efficiency. Social and spatial organisation – assessing the agroecological changes on farms: case study in a banana-growing area of Guadeloupe
M. Houdart, M. Bonin, C. Compagnone
International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 1/2 (2011) pp. 15 - 30
The aim of the present study is to assess the individual and collective agroecological changes of farmers located in the same drainage basin in Guadeloupe. Farmers of this basin were interviewed; sociogrammes were drawn up and correlated with the farm distribution in the study area. The network analysis combined with the spatial configuration analysis highlighted how the geographical area had an impact on interactions between farmers, and how the extent of the local dimension of these interactions governed some exchanges. We revealed also how alternative production orientations seemed to be introduced within the network so as to facilitate change while preserving some social structural stability. This indicates that new strategies should be introduced by providing farmers with technical training that stresses both technical and social efficiency.

]]> 10.1504/IJARGE.2011.040216 International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 1/2 (2011) pp. 15 - 30 M. Houdart M. Bonin C. Compagnone CEMAGREF, UMR Metafort, 24 Avenue des Landais, BP 50085, 63172 Aubiere, France. ' CIRAD, UMR Tetis, TA C-91/F, Campus International de Baillarguet, 34-398, Cedex 5, Montpellier, France. ' AgroSup Dijon – INRA LISTO, Les Longelles, 26 Bd du Docteur Petitjean, BP 87999, 21079 Dijon, France social organisation spatial organisation agroecological changes bananas Guadeloupe agroecology farmers technical training technical efficiency social efficiency. 2011-05-21T23:20:50-05:00 9 1/2 15 30 2011-05-21T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=40217 Over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in the focus on rural development and public goods within the common agricultural policy (CAP). Many researchers emphasise how this implies a need for new ways of implementing policy and innovative collaboration between various actors. Policymakers also acknowledge such needs. Local action groups and organisations have a significant potential in this new rural development context. Such local groups can form the basis for a hybrid governance of public goods and sustainable rural development. We identify the potential benefits of such governance in terms of reduced costs, better results and synergies in rural development. With their own agendas, such groups already exist and reflect a potential for hybrid governance. This paper investigates the occurrence of such groups in Sweden and their potential in Europe and elsewhere. New forms of local collective governance linked to the agricultural landscape: identifying the scope and possibilities for hybrid institutions
Gunnar Lindberg, Erik Fahlbeck
International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 1/2 (2011) pp. 31 - 47
Over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in the focus on rural development and public goods within the common agricultural policy (CAP). Many researchers emphasise how this implies a need for new ways of implementing policy and innovative collaboration between various actors. Policymakers also acknowledge such needs. Local action groups and organisations have a significant potential in this new rural development context. Such local groups can form the basis for a hybrid governance of public goods and sustainable rural development. We identify the potential benefits of such governance in terms of reduced costs, better results and synergies in rural development. With their own agendas, such groups already exist and reflect a potential for hybrid governance. This paper investigates the occurrence of such groups in Sweden and their potential in Europe and elsewhere.

]]> 10.1504/IJARGE.2011.040217 International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 1/2 (2011) pp. 31 - 47 Gunnar Lindberg Erik Fahlbeck Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7013, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. ' Swedish Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, SE-103 33 Stockholm, Sweden agricultural policy rural development hybrid governance local groups new associationalism post-productivism Sweden agriculture local governance collective governance Common Agricultural Policy local action groups local organisations public goods sustainable development sustainability. 2011-05-21T23:20:50-05:00 9 1/2 31 47 2011-05-21T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=40218 Rural development strategies recognise that in the contemporary competitive and globalised context of food trade, specific character products can contribute to the differentiation of agro-food products and to an increasing proportion of added value captured by the primary producers. Theory suggests that specific character products contribute to the appearance of the so-called alternative food networks (AFNs) and short food supply chains (SFSCs). Yet, evidence to support the contribution of these products to rural development is thin and fragmented. Moreover, the concurrence of specific character products with AFNs and SFSCs is over simplistic. This paper deals with specific character cheese products in the North Aegean Region, Greece and particularly with their supply chains, their distribution networks and added value. To portray these in detail we use primary and secondary data. Personal interviews with key informers were conducted while analytical data were selected for most cheese-making units in the region with the use of structured questionnaires. Results demonstrate that the existent conceptualisation of SFSCs is inadequate to describe the empirical realities in Greece. What is the extent of short food supply chains in Greece? Evidence from the cheese supply chains in the North Aegean Region
Thanasis Kizos, Hristos Vakoufaris
International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 1/2 (2011) pp. 48 - 67
Rural development strategies recognise that in the contemporary competitive and globalised context of food trade, specific character products can contribute to the differentiation of agro-food products and to an increasing proportion of added value captured by the primary producers. Theory suggests that specific character products contribute to the appearance of the so-called alternative food networks (AFNs) and short food supply chains (SFSCs). Yet, evidence to support the contribution of these products to rural development is thin and fragmented. Moreover, the concurrence of specific character products with AFNs and SFSCs is over simplistic. This paper deals with specific character cheese products in the North Aegean Region, Greece and particularly with their supply chains, their distribution networks and added value. To portray these in detail we use primary and secondary data. Personal interviews with key informers were conducted while analytical data were selected for most cheese-making units in the region with the use of structured questionnaires. Results demonstrate that the existent conceptualisation of SFSCs is inadequate to describe the empirical realities in Greece.

]]> 10.1504/IJARGE.2011.040218 International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 1/2 (2011) pp. 48 - 67 Thanasis Kizos Hristos Vakoufaris Department of Geography, University of the Aegean, University Hill, Mytilene 81100, Greece. ' A Parodos Ap. Apostolou 12, Varia-Mytilene, 81100, Greece short food supply chains SFSCs specific character products rural development North Aegean Region Greece cheese supply chains supply chain management SCM alternative food networks distribution networks added value. 2011-05-21T23:20:50-05:00 9 1/2 48 67 2011-05-21T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=40219 The 2003 review of the common agricultural policy (CAP) has introduced several new policy tools, among which is cross compliance. The introduction of this new policy entails production costs, along with other types of costs arising at the farm level: administrative, information and organisational costs, called transaction costs. The purpose of this paper is to determine the nature of transaction costs and to assess them. A survey conducted in 2006 among a sample of 39 farmers followed by a descriptive statistical analysis (multiple correspondence analysis, MCA) permits to associate farmer profiles with different levels of incurred transaction costs. These profiles reveal the impact which the farmers' responsibilities (professional networks) and the role of voluntary commitments previously undertaken may have on the nature and importance of transaction costs. This paper opens up new perspectives on the adoption criteria that should be taken into account in the evolution of agri-environmental regulations. Private transaction costs and environmental cross compliance in a crop region of Southwestern France
Aude Ridier, Charilaos Kephaliacos, Francoise Carpy-Goulard
International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 1/2 (2011) pp. 68 - 79
The 2003 review of the common agricultural policy (CAP) has introduced several new policy tools, among which is cross compliance. The introduction of this new policy entails production costs, along with other types of costs arising at the farm level: administrative, information and organisational costs, called transaction costs. The purpose of this paper is to determine the nature of transaction costs and to assess them. A survey conducted in 2006 among a sample of 39 farmers followed by a descriptive statistical analysis (multiple correspondence analysis, MCA) permits to associate farmer profiles with different levels of incurred transaction costs. These profiles reveal the impact which the farmers' responsibilities (professional networks) and the role of voluntary commitments previously undertaken may have on the nature and importance of transaction costs. This paper opens up new perspectives on the adoption criteria that should be taken into account in the evolution of agri-environmental regulations.

]]> 10.1504/IJARGE.2011.040219 International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 1/2 (2011) pp. 68 - 79 Aude Ridier Charilaos Kephaliacos Francoise Carpy-Goulard University of Toulouse/ENFA/LEREPS-EA 4212, 2 route de Narbone, BP 22687 F-31326, Castanet Tolosan Cedex, France. ' University of Toulouse/ENFA/LEREPS-EA 4212, 2 route de Narbone, BP 22687 F-31326, Castanet Tolosan Cedex, France. ' University of Toulouse/LEREPS/Agence de l'eau Adour-Garonne, 90 rue du feretra 31078, Toulouse Cedex 4, France cross compliance private transaction costs Common Agricultural Policy CAP France environmental compliance agriculture farmers farmer responsibilities professional networks voluntary commitments. 2011-05-21T23:20:50-05:00 9 1/2 68 79 2011-05-21T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=40220 Production ecological analyses reveal great differences in food production potential and food requirement between global regions, which implies the need for redistribution of food between surplus and deficit regions. The surplus production potential, current production and trade volumes of Europe along with the desires of its society for non-food functions from its land, favours a dual agricultural path for Europe. It can continue to guarantee its own food provision through a food-oriented path of intensive agriculture, while cherishing a socially-oriented pathway to meet non-food desires. Europe can assume an active role in world food security by using its surplus potential to supplement the deficit region Asia and by using its agricultural insight to facilitate processes towards sustainable agriculture in Latin America and to support overall agricultural development in Africa. The prospects for the coming decades for European agriculture are so favourable that there is little need to introduce agro-energy or heavy subsidy measures to stimulate or revitalise agricultural development within its territory. European food and agricultural strategy for 21st century
Prem S. Bindraban, Rudy Rabbinge
International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 1/2 (2011) pp. 80 - 101
Production ecological analyses reveal great differences in food production potential and food requirement between global regions, which implies the need for redistribution of food between surplus and deficit regions. The surplus production potential, current production and trade volumes of Europe along with the desires of its society for non-food functions from its land, favours a dual agricultural path for Europe. It can continue to guarantee its own food provision through a food-oriented path of intensive agriculture, while cherishing a socially-oriented pathway to meet non-food desires. Europe can assume an active role in world food security by using its surplus potential to supplement the deficit region Asia and by using its agricultural insight to facilitate processes towards sustainable agriculture in Latin America and to support overall agricultural development in Africa. The prospects for the coming decades for European agriculture are so favourable that there is little need to introduce agro-energy or heavy subsidy measures to stimulate or revitalise agricultural development within its territory.

]]> 10.1504/IJARGE.2011.040220 International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 1/2 (2011) pp. 80 - 101 Prem S. Bindraban Rudy Rabbinge ISRIC – World Soil Information, Plant Research International, Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR), P.O. Box 353, 6700 AJ Wageningen, The Netherlands. ' Wageningen University, P.O. Box 102, 6700 AC Wageningen, The Netherlands integrated agriculture multifunctional agriculture Africa Asia Latin America Europe food strategy agricultural strategy food production food requirement food redistribution food demand food provision food security intensive agriculture food surplus potential sustainable agriculture sustainability. 2011-05-21T23:20:50-05:00 9 1/2 80 101 2011-05-21T23:20:50-05:00