Food production for the city: hybridization of farmers’ strategies between alternative and conventional food chains

Abstract

Alternative and local food supply chains (ALFSCs) have been indicated as drivers of territorial development through increasing the food security at local scale. The aim of the study is to characterized strategies that periurban farmers adopt to contribute to local food provision through ALFSCs. We surveyed a sample of 55 farmers in the urban region of Pisa, Tuscany (Italy). By combining qualitative and quantitative analysis of on-farm surveys, this study characterized three farmers' strategies, depending on the percentage of production they allotted to local markets: few/passive, intermediate/opportunistic, entire/active. The main factors influencing each strategy were personal and professional bonds, diversification of the commercial network, the number and the diversification of products sold in ALFSCs.Even though farmers can allocate 100% of their production to ALFSCs, most farmers combine ALFSCs with conventional food chains, suggesting that hybridization has advantages for the sustainability of these farms. Farmers who adopt an opportunistic strategy appeared more dynamic and adaptable to local opportunities and constraints. This analysis will offer empirical evidence about the participation of farmers in ALFSCs and especially about the hybridization between conventional and alternative food chains, contributing to characterize of the local supply of produce, with benefits for community food security.

The landscapes of professional farms in mid‐sized cities, France

“…Having a long-term established presence in the studied cities, professional agriculture matches the profile of peri-urban agriculture: It is characterised by agricultural decline, farm diversity, and also by positive dynamics of resistance and adaptation (Bertoni & Cavicchioli, 2016;Filippini et al, 2016;Zasada, 2011). Farmers concerned for the preservation of agricultural heritage resist by developing new activities on their properties; others mobilise to defend their agricultural territories or move to organic farming and short supply chains.…”

New Evaluation of Small Farms: Implication for an Analysis of Food Security

“…Investing in agriculture is an effective tool [8] for increasing agricultural economic growth [43], reducing poverty, and improving food security [8,43] dependent on how it is implemented [43,44]. The nature of food security is complex and multi-dimensional, and food production is the first dimension of food security [45,46]; food availability is the primary responsibility of agriculture and farming [47]. Therefore, food availability plays a prominent role in food security [32].…”

A Sustainable Organic Production Model for “Food Sovereignty” in the United Arab Emirates and Sicily-Italy

“…In this context, alternative and local food supply chains become a driver of regional development via an increase in food security at the local level. Peri-urban agricultural entrepreneurs have, among other things, adopted strategies to hybridise conventional and alternative food chains (according to the proportion of products allocated to the local market, personal and professional ties, the diversification of the sales network and the assortment of products sold through SFSCs), contributing to the characterization of the range of products available locally and with benefits for community food security [30].…”