Abstract
Agro-ecology is now considered as an alternative model to the industrial agricultural model. Faced with the limitations of conventional production models, agro-ecology is emerging today as a possible response to the challenges of the 21st century: food security, circularity, respect for the environment, and development of employment. More generally, the adoption of circular principles aims to decouple environmental pressure from agricultural productivism. Agro-ecology is a relevant research topic because it aims to ensure sustainable and resilient agricultural production, to empower local farmers, to protect the environment and to fight against climate change. This article focuses on the French Oasis projects, as part of the “Hummingbird movement” initiated by Pierre Rabhi, and which represent a successful agro-ecological experience, in economic, social and environmental terms. Different data were collected by compiling information available on the website of 76 Oasis projects across France: people living in the community; lodging possibilities; availability of a school; and direct relationship with local farmers. Then, a social factorial correspondence analysis and an environmental factorial correspondence analysis were realized to evaluate the impacts of environmental Oasis projects. The results show that profitable organizations seem to conduct more social and environmental activities in an agro-ecology context, and they put in place more actions than those who have no profitable aims.
Highlights
The impact of greenhouse gas emissions on climate change and the effect of this change on the agricultural economics are widely accepted in the academic world (Yue et al, 2017; Fellmann et al, 2018; Whiteman & Yumashev, 2018; Wiebe, Robinson, & Cattaneo, 2019), after years of denial
This article focuses on the French Oasis projects, as part of the “Hummingbird movement” initiated by Pierre Rabhi, and which represent a successful agro-ecological experience, in economic, social and environmental terms
The results show that profitable organizations seem to conduct more social and environmental activities in an agro-ecology context, and they put in place more actions than those who have no profitable aims
Summary
The impact of greenhouse gas emissions on climate change and the effect of this change on the agricultural economics are widely accepted in the academic world (Yue et al, 2017; Fellmann et al, 2018; Whiteman & Yumashev, 2018; Wiebe, Robinson, & Cattaneo, 2019), after years of denial. In addition to primary agriculture, the entire food supply chain, from producers to consumers, is involved in climate change (Food & Agriculture Organization, 2016), including small-scale farmers (Mugiya & Hofisi, 2017). The increase of extreme events, such as droughts, storms or floods, results in the loss of crop and livestock production and, more dramatically, in food insecurity in some parts of the world. This type of agriculture, which values productivity and controls and improves outcomes through the use of harmful chemicals, is embedded in the paradigm of growth. A fourth part discusses the results, which highlight in particular the importance of a mix of profit and nonprofit driven values in the French environmental Oasis projects and suggests potential research avenues for the future
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
