From value chains to food webs: The quest for lasting food systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Knorr ◽  
M.A. Augustin
Keyword(s):  
Food Webs ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Value Chains

Circular agri-food systems: A governance perspective for the analysis of sustainable agri-food value chains

2021 ◽  
Vol 170 ◽  
pp. 120878
Author(s):  
Bruno Varella Miranda ◽  
Guilherme Fowler A. Monteiro ◽  
Vinicius Picanço Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Food Value

scholarly journals Supermarket-Led Development and the Neglect of Traditional Food Value Chains: Reflections on Indonesia’s Agri-Food System Transformation

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Vetter ◽  
Marianne Nylandsted Larsen ◽  
Thilde Bech Bruun
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Food System ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
System Transformation ◽  
Food Retail ◽  
Food Value

The rapid expansion of modern food retail encapsulated in the so-called ‘supermarket revolution’ is often portrayed as a pivotal driving force in the modernization of agri-food systems in the Global South. Based on fieldwork conducted on horticulture value chains in West Java and South Sulawesi, this paper explores this phenomenon and the concerted efforts that government and corporate actors undertake with regard to agri-food value chain interventions and market modernization in Indonesia. The paper argues that after more than 15 years of ‘supermarket revolution’ in Indonesia, traditional food retail appears not to be in complete demise, but rather adaptive and resilient to its modern competitors. The analysis of local manifestations of supermarket-led agricultural development suggests that traditional markets can offer certain advantages for farmers over supermarket-driven value chains. The paper further identifies and discusses two areas that have so far been neglected by research and policymaking and which warrant further investigation: (i) the simultaneous transformations in traditional food value chains and their relation to modern markets, and (ii) the social and environmental performances of modern vis-à-vis traditional food value chains.

scholarly journals Using Qualitative System Dynamics Analysis to Promote Inclusive Livestock Value Chains: A Case Study of the South African Broiler Value Chain

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soledad Cuevas Garcia-Dorado ◽  
Kevin Queenan ◽  
Bhavani Shankar ◽  
Barbara Häsler ◽  
Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
South African ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
The South ◽  
Entry Points

Livestock value chains globally are increasingly dualistic, with integrated market-leaders co-existing with comparatively disadvantaged small producers who, nevertheless, support rural livelihoods and food access, and can also contribute to more resilient supply chains. The South African broiler value chain provides a highly illustrative case study. The purpose of this study is to identify potential leverage points for policy intervention to support small and emerging producers in the South African broiler value chain, and to discuss the strengths and limitations of system dynamics approaches to promote inclusive food value chains. This study develops a causal loop diagram (CLD) based on semi-structured stakeholder interviews and policy documents. The main challenges, key variables and causal relationships between them are systematically identified. Variables are coded, generalised and graphically represented, and entry points for intervention and their links to existing policies are mapped. The challenges faced by smallholders in the context of our study can be characterised, using a CLD, as a set of interlinked and reinforcing dynamics which perpetuate existing disadvantages and reinforce duality in the value chain. Key policy entry points have been identified that could be targeted by a coordinated policy package, including: Direct support for infrastructure investment and input access through grants, subsidies or other policies; credit and liquidity provision for day-to-day expenses; creation of aggregation mechanisms for both inputs and outputs; regulations or initiatives that directly target the relationship of farmers with the commercial segment to improve access to day-old-chicks and, finally, training in business and technical skills. Although most of these interventions have been addressed at some point, implementation has been fragmented, failing to fully consider their complementary nature, thus undermining effectiveness. Existing approaches to consensus building and stakeholder participation in system dynamics research can present challenges when it comes to engaging with complex policy processes and issues of conflict of interest that are relevant in the context of smallholder promotion and equitable food systems, but there are promising avenues for addressing. Despite some methodological challenges, we find that there is considerable scope for system dynamics approaches to inform policy for smallholder promotion, even in contexts characterised by complex policy processes.

Sustainability along all value chains: exploring value chain interactions in sustainable food systems.

2019 ◽  
pp. 215-224
Author(s):  
A. M. Loconto ◽  
P. Santacoloma ◽  
R. A. Rodr�guez ◽  
E. Vandecandelaere ◽  
F. Tartanac
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Sustainable Food Systems ◽  
Sustainable Food

scholarly journals Linking food systems and landscape sustainability in the Mediterranean region

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
María García-Martín ◽  
Mario Torralba ◽  
Cristina Quintas-Soriano ◽  
Johannes Kahl ◽  
Tobias Plieninger
Keyword(s):  
Landscape Ecology ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Economic Outcomes ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Global Dynamics ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Landscape Sustainability ◽  
Specific Knowledge ◽  
Systems Research

Abstract Context Global dynamics affect the sustainability of agricultural landscapes, but these cross-scale connections are understudied. Therefore, we combine food systems and landscape ecology, focusing on food products that provide a linkage between global consumers and landscapes of production (e.g., Douro Valley wine) which we call landscape products. Objective The aim of this study is to characterise Mediterranean landscape products based on experts’ perceptions by analysing their qualities, farming practices, and value chains, and to identify their ecological, cultural, and socio-economic outcomes in the landscapes of production. Methods Experts with specific knowledge on a landscape product were surveyed by email and their answers analysed using descriptive and ordination statistics. Fifty-four landscape products were characterised. Results Based on the experts’ perceptions, landscape products are high quality products, mainly using traditional knowledge and low intensity farming. They support biocultural diversity in the landscapes of production, but their positive socio-economic outcomes remain limited, with problems of inequity and lack of empowerment among producers and a tendency towards intensification or abandonment of the farming practices. We distinguished three types of products based on their localness and how their qualities were shared with consumers. Local products performed better in the ecological and cultural outcomes and products under certification in the economic. Labelling mechanisms and better organisation of producers could enhance these products and their positive outcomes. Conclusions Combining landscape ecology and food systems research allowed us better understand the outcomes of landscape products in the landscapes of production and suggest pathways for fostering landscape sustainability.

scholarly journals Food Security and the Dynamics of Wheat and Maize Value Chains in Africa and Asia

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Grote ◽  
Anja Fasse ◽  
Trung Thanh Nguyen ◽  
Olaf Erenstein
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Green Revolution ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
World Population ◽  
System Transformation ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Long Run

There is an ongoing debate about how best to feed the growing world population in the long run and associated implications for research and development. Some call for a new Green Revolution to secure the supply of staple foods, whereas others emphasize the importance of diversifying and improving people's diets. We aim to contribute to this debate by reviewing the case of wheat and maize value chains and their contribution to food security in Africa and Asia. We first identify drivers transforming food systems. We then apply these to the cereal value chains and disentangle their effects on food security. We thereby add to the three strands in the literature around production, consumption, and food system transformation and point to different research needs and recommendations for the future. The review highlights: (1) Wheat and maize production will be increasingly impaired by ecological drivers such as land degradation, water scarcity and climate change. (2) There are promising innovations to increase and maintain productivity, but constraints in adopting these innovations have to be overcome (i.e., access to seeds, finance, and education/training). (3) The drivers affect all four dimensions of food security, but first and foremost they determine the availability and stability of maize and wheat. This indirectly also influences the economic and physical access of people to maize and wheat. (4) Research tends to focus on improving the productivity and sustainability of wheat and maize farming which is largely interlinked with the availability dimension of food security. (5) The stability and utilization dimension of food security merits continued yet increased support. First, to address climate change and implications for biotic and abiotic stresses. Second, to promote healthier diets and enable the equitable transformation of food systems.

scholarly journals Urban Commons for the Edible City—First Insights for Future Sustainable Urban Food Systems from Berlin, Germany

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 966 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadine Scharf ◽  
Thomas Wachtel ◽  
Suhana Reddy ◽  
Ina Säumel
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Combined Approach ◽  
Social Resilience ◽  
The Commons ◽  
Implementation Problems ◽  
Inclusive Society ◽  
Urban Commons ◽  
Depth Interviews

Urban planning is facing multi-layered challenges to manage the transformation towards a more sustainable and inclusive society. The recently evolved concept of an “urban commons” responds to the crucial need to re-situate residents as key actors. Urban food commons summarize all initiatives that are food-related (e.g., cultivation, harvest, and distribution), aiming at a visualization and utilization of value chains and the commons-based linkage between them. We explored first insights of food commons in Berlin based on semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Urban food commons strengthen identification, participation, self-organization, and social resilience, are steered by bottom-up processes, and can be a powerful tool for a transformation towards urban sustainability. However, a viable political integration of existing initiatives lacks due to structural implementation problems. Respondents recommend a pooling of all initiatives in a strong network and a mediation interface to coordinate between food commons and city administration and politics. A combined approach of commons and edible cities will be helpful for the development of future prove food systems.

scholarly journals Fonio and Bambara Groundnut Value Chains in Mali: Issues, Needs, and Opportunities for Their Sustainable Promotion

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlie Mbosso ◽  
Basile Boulay ◽  
Stefano Padulosi ◽  
Gennifer Meldrum ◽  
Youssoufa Mohamadou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Bambara Groundnut ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Promotion Policy ◽  
Local Populations ◽  
Market Promotion ◽  
Protein Rich ◽  
Development Agendas

As the effects of climate change are severely straining West African agricultural systems, the adoption of more incisive interventions in support of sustainable development agendas for the region is highly critical and cannot be further delayed by governments. Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) are one important ally in pursuing resilience in both production and food systems because of their promising traits in terms of nutrition, adaptation to local agroecosystems, and economic potential for local populations. Focusing on fonio, a gluten-free traditional cereal, and Bambara groundnut, a protein-rich leguminous crop, we investigate issues in their production, commercialization, and consumption in southern Mali. The aim was to assess needs and opportunities for improving their value chains and increasing their use and societal benefits. Using a Rapid Market Appraisal method, we surveyed traders, producers, processors, and consumers of target crops in 2017 and 2018. Our findings indicate that while both crops are consumed and praised by local populations, critical bottlenecks inhibit their wider socioeconomic potential. Lack of access to inputs and equipment and presence of sand in the commercialized product are important issues for fonio, whereas the Bambara groundnut value chain suffers from poor processing facilities and lack of market promotion. Policy recommendations to tackle the identified bottlenecks are proposed.

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