Abstract
Sustainability transitions in agriculture are explored through an analysis of niche initiatives within a common production system, relying on sustainable transitions, multi-level perspectives, and agroecological frameworks, and involving multi-actor, agricultural knowledge, and innovation systems (AKIS). The article focuses on how experimental niches and sustainable activities affect farmers’ relationships with nature, and the reconceptualisation of the production system in which they operate, particularly where this system is embedded in less sustainable conventional or dominant regimes and landscapes. The need for fundamental changes, in the way that humans interact with nature, is widely argued for in order to achieve sustainable development, and farmers occupy a central role through participation in complex networks of agri-food systems. They have also found themselves disconnected from nature through conventional agri-industrial production practices. Four niches (biological control, ecological restoration, soil health, and ecological pond management) within the greenhouse sector of Almeria (SE Spain) are explored in a case study. Our results indicate that a farmer’s interaction with nature is functional, but through agroecological practices, a deeper understanding of the ecosystems in which greenhouse landscapes are embedded may be gained. As they become more connected to nature and benefit from ecosystem services, they can transition to more sustainable agricultural systems.
Highlights
In this paper, we explore processes of sustainability transitions in agriculture through the analysis of four niche initiatives in Almeria, South-East Spain, within a common intensive greenhouse production system, involving diverse multi-actor, agricultural knowledge and innovation systems (AKIS)
Rudimentary greenhouses were set up using cane sticks and old posts from a defunct table grape trade, with plastic strung over the top
The transition towards a sustainable agricultural system is not a linear path, but a complex process consisting of distinct phases towards system transitions
Summary
We explore processes of sustainability transitions in agriculture through the analysis of four niche initiatives in Almeria, South-East Spain, within a common intensive greenhouse production system, involving diverse multi-actor, agricultural knowledge and innovation systems (AKIS). A central focus of our research is to understand how involvement in niche experimental and sustainable activities affects a farmer’s relationship with nature, and the reconceptualisation of the production system in which such niches operate, where this system is heavily embedded in less sustainable conventional or dominant regimes and landscapes. A farmer’s interaction with nature is functional and economic. Through the practice of agriculture, a deeper understanding of the ecosystems in which farming activities are located may be gained by farmers, their organisations, and, in general, their AKIS. As they become more connected to nature through practice, they can transition to more sustainable agricultural systems
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