SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS RELATED TO LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS IN THE ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS KEEPING NATIVE BREED ANIMALS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present the opinion of farmers keeping native breeds of animals regarding selected social and environmental benefits associated with the functioning of local food systems. Local food systems are classified as so-called alternative food systems, which differ significantly from conventional systems. Their special feature is that the production, processing, trading and consumption of food occur in a relatively small geographical area. As a result, these systems create a certain set of interrelated processes linking producers with consumers, as well as with the local society, the environment and the economy. The method of direct interview was used to obtain information. The study involved 144 farmers selected in a purposeful manner. The territorial range of the research included three voivodships of south-eastern Poland. The regionalization of the study was due to the specificity of agriculture in these areas, favoring keeping the livestock of native breeds. It was found that in the area of social benefits, the highest acceptance was for the statement that local food systems allow for the traceability of products with the area of their origin. The hierarchy of assessments for the presented areas of environmental benefits indicates that the hierarchy of assessments for the presented areas of environmental benefits indicates that farmers are most supportive of the statement that local food systems can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and the development of native animal breeds.