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  • 21 November 2024
  • PROJECT NEWS

Scaling out niche innovations in animal production areas

Main image for 'Scaling out niche innovations in animal production areas '

Until now, most research relating to animal production based on agroecological principles has been conducted at farm scale only, meaning the potential of understanding its impact at societal and food system level has been underexplored. 

The solution? To take a look at the challenges and successes more broadly, to identify the impact of agroecology, in particular which barriers and levers can help or hinder its progress. 

An article written by Agroecology-TRANSECT project partners and published in Animal[1] addresses this by analysing how the 13 principles of agroecology[2] were mobilised in five case studies on grassland-based, silvopastoral[3] or integrated crop/livestock systems in Switzerland, Guadeloupe, French Massif Central, Bulgaria and Andalucía. By analysing barriers and levers in these different socio-ecological contexts, researchers discuss how to scale out and up agroecological niche innovations in animal production areas.  

13 principles of agroecology

Grazing cattle, Massif Central

Martinik sheep, Guadeloupe

All principles were mobilised but with different equilibria  

While all activities related to each agroecological principle in the case studies were observed, the relative importance of each principle differed.  

For instance, in Switzerland the focus was on ecological processes operating in multi-species mixtures, and therefore on working towards reducing the use of chemical inputs, as well as synergy, soil health and biodiversity. Meanwhile, in Andalucía, a civil society organisation, a regional agricultural office, researchers and farmers focussed their efforts on transforming principles at food system level, where social values, connectivity and participation are key.  

Such contrasts highlight how agroecology allows a different balance between principles, adapting to the needs of farmers and local communities.   

Inadequate infrastructures and policies frequently act as barriers 

Infrastructure lock-ins occur at farm level, but also upstream and downstream on the supply side as a result of farming systems aligning with technology, public policies and market dynamics that have promoted specialised industrial animal production systems.   

For example, introducing mobile and multi-purpose equipment (modular racks, fences, etc) would facilitate multi-species farming practices in Bulgaria, Andalucía and Guadeloupe. In the Andalusían case study, attempts were made to set up an abattoir specialising in processing small ruminants, highlighting the crucial role of infrastructures in the scaling out of agroecological niche systems.  

Policy also needs to go beyond simply supporting agroecological practices on livestock farms, and adopt a systems approach, looking at the entire landscape, in order to enable a large-scale agroecological transition within Europe.  

Grazing animals, Western Stara Planina, Bulgaria

Free ranging pigs, Sierra de Aracena

Contrasting evidence on the market dimension 

Direct sales and short supply chains in Bulgaria, Andalucía and Guadeloupe were seen as enabling change, generating added value that benefitted local communities. Most agroecological systems were viewed positively among citizens and consumers, but cultural barriers were found around product characteristics such as veal meat colour in a dairy system that promotes long-lasting cow-calf contact in Massif Central.   

In Switzerland, the seed mixture quality label offers opportunity for the scaling out of the use of certified multi-species mixes. Few players in the market facilitate its organization. However, the high costs of producing seeds from quality varieties increases the costs for farmers. This could lead them to buy cheaper mixes, which in turn would reduce investment in research and thus erode the system installed. 

What can we take forward from this research? 

All case studies had made good progress in the social dimensions of agroecology, and healthy, cooperative networks were always reported among the enablers for scaling out. Working with people and organisations from a range of disciplines and view points fostered knowledge exchange between farmers, researchers and citizens, and allowed participants to share values.   

Great collaboration between farmers and citizens is illustrated by the innovative co-designed propositions following the inclusion of citizens in the debate on sustainable dairy systems in Massif Central. The project has, however, failed to gain traction due to a lack of leadership and commitment from local practitioners. 

But in a nearby area where Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheese is produced, a one-year co-creation process led to the proposal of a 10-year strategy by the PDO cheese union which was voted in by its members and put into action - a clear example of where long term commitment from local practitioners leads to shared and mutually agreed solutions which can strengthen the economic and social viability of animal production areas.  

References

[1] Dumont B, Barlagne C, Cassart P, Duval JE, Fanchone A, Gourdine JL, Huguenin-Elie O, Kazakova Y, Klötzli J, Lüscher A, Oteros-Rozas E, Pomies D, Rivera Ferre MG, Rossing WAH, Stefanova V, Swartebroeckx A, C Zagaria C. Principles, barriers and enablers to agroecological animal production systems: a qualitative approach based on five case studies (animal, November 2024) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2024.101367 

[2] High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) of the Committee of World Food Security proposed 13 Principles of agroecology, Agroecology Europe, illustrations by Dorottya Poór https://www.agroecology-europe.org/the-13-principles-of-agroecology/

[3] Silvopasture: combining the production of livestock with trees in an integrated and deliberate way, to the benefit of biodiversity, soil health, livestock welfare and more https://www.agroforestry.co.uk/about-agroforestry/silvopasture/ 


Find out more

Watch our recent Virtual Roadshow webinar, Exploring the Barriers and Levers to Agroecology