Local Agri-Food Systems as a Cultural Heritage Strategy to Recover the Sustainability of Local Communities. Insights from the Spanish Case

Marina Di Masso,Ariadna Pomar,Josep Espluga-Trenc,Daniel López-García,Guillem Tendero,Laura Calvet-Mir

doi:10.3390/su13116068

Abstract

One of the factors threatening the sustainability of rural territories is the hegemonic agro-industrial model, whose environmental and social impacts strongly limit rural life. Here, we want to call attention to the opportunities provided by alternative agri-food systems, based on agroecology and food sovereignty, as a cultural heritage to support sustainable local development. We have carried out exploratory research to draft the main agroecological initiatives in Spain, particularly those having explicit support or encouragement from public administrations. An on-line questionnaire (n = 40) was delivered, and in-depth interviews (n = 15) were carried out among a sample of people working in the Spanish agroecology sector (public and private). The results demonstrate how the recovery and promotion of traditional ecological knowledge can help to increase the capacity of the social-ecological systems to cope with shocks and disturbances and maintain long-term resilience. In addition, agroecological practices allow collective identities to emerge around the characteristics of the territory strengthening local life, placing the society-ecosystem coevolution at the center of local identity. In conclusion, although still a minority, we have showed how several types of policies conceiving agroecological practices as an intangible collective heritage, with significant transformative potential towards local sustainability, have already been implemented.

Highlights

The European rural world is in a precarious situation and requires the implementation of specific policies to guarantee its future sustainability
First, we explain some of these initiatives; second, we focus on the policies related to the recovery and promotion of traditional ecological knowledge; and third, we deliberate the potential for agroecological practices to strengthen rural life through the generation of collective identities around local agricultural production
We have argued how standard rural development policies are usually subject to global logics derived from the hegemonic agro-industrial model, so it would be convenient to explore alternative models such as those offered by agroecology, by putting land and agricultural activities back at the center of the debate on sustainable rural development

Summary

Introduction

The European rural world is in a precarious situation and requires the implementation of specific policies to guarantee its future sustainability. The promotion of its cultural heritage in all its dimensions can play an important role [1,2]. Available data show that rural, mountainous, and remote areas constitute 80% of European (EU) territory. These areas are inhabited by 57% of the EU population and account for 46% of gross value added [3]. GDP per capita in non-urbanized areas is 70% of the EU average, while urban residents enjoy a GDP per capita as high as 123% of the EU average.

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