The key roles of economic and social organization and producer and consumer behaviour towards a health-agriculture-food-environment nexus: recent advances and future prospects

Alban Thomas,Sophie Dubuisson-Quellier,Mourad Hannachi,Yuna Chiffoleau,Antoine Doré,Claire Lamine,Benjamin Allès

doi:10.1007/s41130-020-00115-x

Abstract

We discuss in this paper the role of the economic and social organization in agriculture and the food industry, in relation with the Health-Agriculture-Food-Environment (HAFEN) concept. The aim is to better understand the potential impact of the implementation of this concept in food consumption and production systems in terms of research needs. The paper suggests a research agenda dedicated to the modes of social and economic organization of key stakeholders in the implementation of nexus-based systems, facilitating the convergence among health, food and environmental objectives. Based on a literature survey, three main topics are discussed: (a) processes and drivers of change of food consumption practices; (b) coordination and multi-agent governance modes to better account for health issues in agrifood systems and (c) the analysis of paradigms that put forward health as an entry point to reshape existing agricultural and food systems, and associated modes of knowledge production. For each of these topics, we suggest a selection of research priorities for the future and conclude with methodological perspectives on the HAFEN.

Highlights

Scientific evidence on the multiple impacts of current farming and food systems, as well as the rise of alternative ways of producing and consuming food, point to the need to better connect the different objectives associated with health, food, agriculture and the environment (Hammond and Dubé, 2012; Marsden and Sonnino 2012; Duru et al 2017, Gordon et al 2017)
The nexus concept acknowledges the fact that components of food systems are mutually reinforcing, deeply interconnected and subject to systemic dynamics, as in the notion of “Food-Health nexus” (Ipes-Food 2017)
We introduce in this paper the expression HAFEN to the application of this concept to Health-Agriculture-Food-Environment interactions and reconnection (Nexus)

Summary

Introduction

Scientific evidence on the multiple impacts of current farming and food systems, as well as the rise of alternative ways of producing and consuming food, point to the need to better connect the different objectives associated with health, food, agriculture and the environment (Hammond and Dubé, 2012; Marsden and Sonnino 2012; Duru et al 2017, Gordon et al 2017). The last topic appears less explored but is essential to better understand in what way the concept of nexus connecting health, food, agriculture and the environment may change the research practices and the visions of sustainability.

Results

Conclusion