What do our research friends say about the coexistence and confrontation of agricultural and food models? Introduction to the special issue

Abstract

The coexistence and confrontation of agricultural and food models are an issue that is evincing much interest from the media and the political and professional fields. It is also an active area of research, a fact which led to a call for articles and the publication of a special issue. This article introduces and analyzes the 9 articles selected and published in 2020, and characterizes the diversity of the associated research (issues, fields, disciplines). After shedding light on the polysemy involved, as well as the fundamentals of the concept of agricultural and food model mobilized by the authors, we examine how they consider situations of coexistence. We identify three epistemological postures that reflect the contrasting positions of the authors vis-à-vis knowledge, actors, and action: functionalist coexistence, coexistence based on power relations, and coexistence in a transition perspective. These studies encourage the development of new research perspectives, in particular in order to make progress in the theorization of the coexistence and confrontation of agricultural and food models.

The Potential of Geographical Indications (GI) to Enhance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Japan: Overview and Insights from Japan GI Mishima Potato

“…Finally, in the context of Japan especially, issues of coexistence of GIs with conventional agriculture and other alternative agri-food alternatives must be considered [37]. For example, the development of GIs can have interesting synergies with the idea of "sixth-order industrialization" put forward by the government [38].…”

A research agenda for scaling up agroecology in European countries

“…These questions call for methodological work on (i) data acquisition, management, and analysis from the microscale (e.g., individual, product, company) to macroscale (e.g., regions, countries, large world regions); (ii) modeling agri-food systems to estimate their environmental impacts throughout the entire chain and understand repercussions of local changes on large regions (Gasselin and Hostiou 2021;Kolb and Kolb 2009;Le Mouël et al 2018); and (iii) case studies to fully understand the diversity of food systems and their constraints. Establishing and managing territorial platforms and experimentation centers can serve as a basis for participatory activities that mobilize a variety of actors to span the chain from production to consumption.…”

La transition à l’épreuve de la justice alimentaire : construction d’un répertoire de pratiques dans 5 initiatives à Angers, Lyon et Poitiers

“…Certains « modèles » sont donc en train de s'imposer et de polariser l'action, comme par exemple les groupements VRAC dans plusieurs métropoles de l'Hexagone, ou bien encore les lieux d'approvisionnement collaboratifs (épiceries, supermarchés). Au final, le risque serait alors que la structuration autour d'initiatives-phares nuise à une complémentarité équitable et à une coexistence "pacifique" entre elles (Gasselin et Hostiou, 2020). Un modèle d'organisation tendrait à s'imposer au détriment de la diversité et de la spontanéité d'autres actions potentielles.…”