I am an agricultural economist, involved in agroecology, organic agriculture and geographical indications. Any research opening new regards on innovations is interesting to me. I had chance to work in Europe, and in the Balkans, North- and Sub-sahariab Africa and Sri Lanka. I teach Food Security.
La commune de Vithkuq, au sud-est de l’Albanie, correspond a une zone agropastorale coherente qui... more La commune de Vithkuq, au sud-est de l’Albanie, correspond a une zone agropastorale coherente qui est connue pour ses produits pastoraux de qualite dans toute l’Albanie (Bombaj et al., 2017). Les systemes agropastoraux de cette commune suivent une logique geographique adaptee au milieu montagnard. Pour les eleveurs locaux le cœur du systeme est la zone d’estive du « massif de Rrungaja ». L’utilisation de la ressource est liee au mode de conduite du troupeau. Le terme « conduite du troupeau », signifie ici la conduite au pâturage mais aussi les techniques de reproduction, d’alimentation, de soins et d’elevage des jeunes (Guitton, Levret, et Delefortie 2008). Les dynamiques de conduite au pâturage des troupeaux ont evolue dans le temps et les systemes d’elevage actuels s’inspirent de ces dynamiques passees (Gontard, 2016). Les systemes de production en concurrence sur la ressource ont des pratiques et des resultats economiques heterogenes. Ils sont animes pas des dynamiques differente...
L’article analyse la dynamique des systèmes d’élevage d’un territoire montagneux albanais sous fo... more L’article analyse la dynamique des systèmes d’élevage d’un territoire montagneux albanais sous fortes contraintes socio-économiques, géographiques et historiques. L’objectif est de comprendre les processus qui ont conduit à la coexistence de systèmes d’élevage contrastés dans ce territoire et de montrer comment cette coexistence est liée à l’utilisation des ressources pastorales. Suite à la chute du régime communiste en 1991, la forte migration de la population vers les zones de plaine et la croissance de la demande pour les produits laitiers et carnés ont entraîné une augmentation de la production et de la taille des troupeaux dans ce territoire, avec une pression accrue sur les ressources pastorales. Les enquêtes réalisées dans cinq villages permettent de proposer une typologie des systèmes d’élevage, montrant la diversité des résultats économiques et des usages des ressources pastorales. Ces résultats questionnent l’évolution de l’élevage pastoral en Albanie dans le cadre d’une p...
Special Issue: Works from "Future Leaders Global Workshop on Social Science of Agriculture, ... more Special Issue: Works from "Future Leaders Global Workshop on Social Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment"
With the emergence of organic agriculture, in which demand can be the same from place to place, t... more With the emergence of organic agriculture, in which demand can be the same from place to place, the dynamic of local systems can be very different and influence the growth of organic production. In local systems of knowledge, which include the market and the social surroundings, the complex social interactions between farmers, extension officers, researchers, retailers, and consumers can create synergies or blockages for the emergence of organic agriculture in the network of actors surrounding farmers. This study identifies and analyzes the stakeholder network of the organic sector in the Canton of Grisons, a mountainous region of Switzerland. Social networks analysis (SNA) is used to investigate the causes of a significantly high rate of organic agriculture in this region (54% in January 2013). SNA is a method that facilitates the identification of dynamics between stakeholders and reveals the most influential actors in the emergence of a network that positively supports the develo...
This Policy Brief identifies factors that facilitate or limit the effectiveness and per- formance... more This Policy Brief identifies factors that facilitate or limit the effectiveness and per- formance of scientific research on agriculture (SRA) in terms of innovation and desired changes. Findings and the ensuing recommendations are based on an investigation of research-based innovations in six regional case studies with a Participatory Impact Pathway assessment approach. Institutional and policy frameworks have played important roles as either enabling or hindering factors. They were particularly important in raising funding for research as well as enabling product registration and marketing innovations. Policy recommendations focus on strengthening agricultural innovation support, engaging with the private sector, coordination of research and innovation policy, and better access to research data.
Ce papier presente une analyse de la dynamique actuelle des systemes d'elevage d'un terri... more Ce papier presente une analyse de la dynamique actuelle des systemes d'elevage d'un territoire montagneux sous fortes contraintes socio-economiques, geographiques et historiques. L'objectif de ce papier est de comprendre comment et pourquoi la coexistence actuelle des systemes d'elevage de ce territoire sont liees a l'evolution a l'evolution historique et l'utilisation actuelle de la ressource pastorale. Suite a la chute du regime communiste en 1992, la forte migration de la population vers les zones de plaines s'est accompagnee d'une forte augmentation de la taille des troupeaux dans ce territoire. La demande du marche pour les produits pastoraux de cette region a connu une forte augmentation accompagnee d'une augmentation des prix pour ces produits. Il ressort de ce travail que les dynamiques observees sur les marches urbains proches ou plus eloignes ont permis une croissance de la production locale de lait et de viande, tout en modifiant pr...
This report forms part of the deliverables from a project called "IMPRESA" which has be... more This report forms part of the deliverables from a project called "IMPRESA" which has been awarded financial support by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme. The project aims to evaluate the impact of research on agriculture performed in the EU, collecting data on recent trends in investment in agricultural research, and developing a framework combining case studies, econometric analysis and modelling for assessing its impact. A first task is to prepare country-level analysis of the agricultural research expenditures and an assessment of the availabilities of data regarding public and private investments in agricultural research. Agricultural research covers all research on the promotion of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and foodstuff production. It includes: research on chemical fertilisers, biocides, biological pest control and the mechanisation of agriculture; research on the impact of agricultural and forestry activities on the environment; resear...
Consumer quantitative survey is performed on general population 18+ in Serbia at the end of Septe... more Consumer quantitative survey is performed on general population 18+ in Serbia at the end of September – begging of October 2010. The instrument used in this survey was a structured questionnaire consisting of several separate sections, including motivation toward food in general (Food Choice Questionnaire FCQ), the specific questions about traditional and functional food and consumer socio-economic and demographic characteristics. The stratified three-staged random representative sample is applied (N=516). Based on reported frequency heavy traditional food consumers, who simultaneously reported lower level of functional food consumption (NT=196) and heavy functional food consumers with lower level of traditional food consumption (NF=60) are identified. A descriptive statistical analysis (parametric and non-parametric) is conducted with the aim to investigate all statistically significant differences between two consumers’ group profiles. The heavy traditional dominate over heavy fun...
In this report we assess the contribution, role, and impacts of the Science-Based Research and In... more In this report we assess the contribution, role, and impacts of the Science-Based Research and Innovation Program (ISRIP) on farmers’ transition to organic production in the Camargue. We have applied a qualitative method based on the Participatory Impact Pathway Analysis (PIPA) and complemented by other methods to adapt it to the requirements of an-ex-post evaluation (with Outcome Harvesting), to identify the role played by the different actors along the innovation pathway (with the Social Network Analysis), to validate the pathway links (with the Process tracing) and to identify the crucial components in the pathway (by asking counterfactual questions to stakeholders). We demonstrate that the research has played a limited role to support farmers’ transition to organic farming in the Camargue. Three main evidences were identified: (1) informal testing made by farmers on crop rotation were very important to help them to convert to organic farming; (2) economic factors were also impor...
We present the main characteristics and results of the Camargue case study. The case study was ab... more We present the main characteristics and results of the Camargue case study. The case study was about the evaluation of a research program focusing on the transition to organic farming (the research program was launched in 2000).
Te aim of this paper is to explore consumers' perceptions and habits regarding traditional fo... more Te aim of this paper is to explore consumers' perceptions and habits regarding traditional food in the Western Balkan Countries. In each Western Balkan country, two focus groups were carried-out (total twelve focus groups; eight to ten participants per each – total sample of 104 participants). Results of this study show that consumer motives for the choice of traditional products pertain to higher health, safety, sensory and increasingly also sustainability beliefs and expectation. Results of this study show many similarities in perception as and habits towards traditional food in different WBC. Marketing techniques are critical in conveying authenticity and enhancing the attractiveness of traditional food.
This paper explores the potential of Actor Network Theory (ANT) in understanding how the process ... more This paper explores the potential of Actor Network Theory (ANT) in understanding how the process of interaction and translation between human and non-human actors contribute to the development, adoption and diffusion of science-based innovations linked to the transition to organic farming. The study relies on two case studies, the French Camargue case covering a range of technical and social innovations, and the case from Bulgaria focusing on the development of a technical and product innovation, i.e. a veterinary product for organic beekeeping. The paper shows the limitations of classical approaches in studying innovations since they underestimate the role of heterogeneous actors, their status, and how they interact with each other. We argue that focusing on actors’ interactions helps to better understand the so-called “uncertainties” and “turning points” in the innovation development, as well as to interpret them as natural elements. Moreover we argue that challenges to tackle sho...
This paper examines how mountain communities in the Albanian post-communist period are affected b... more This paper examines how mountain communities in the Albanian post-communist period are affected by the recent decentralization process of the management of common pastures. Currently, common pastures represent 58% of the total Albanian pastures. Therefore, the issues around their management are very important for the mountain communities and the policy makers because they are the main resource for the development of the livestock activity and consequently, for the livelihood of the mountainous communities. Theory on the commons highlights the design principles for a good governance of the commons (Ostrom, 1990). More particularly, the governance needs a legal and institutional framework that allows avoiding the “tragedy of the commons” (Hardin, 1968). As a consequence, local communities need to build proper resource governance, which allows them responding well to changing conditions and establishing a resilience-based management of their common resource (Bestelmeyer & Briske, 2012)...
Nous proposons une approche de la dynamique des filieres AOC illustree par le cas du fromage Abon... more Nous proposons une approche de la dynamique des filieres AOC illustree par le cas du fromage Abondance AOC en Haute-Savoie (France). La premiere partie presente le cadre methodologique, issu des theories des couts de transaction, de la gouvernance et de la dynamique territoriale. La seconde partie est consacree a la discussion de deux hypotheses portant sur l'evolution spatiale et economique d'une filiere AOC, a partir de la lecture du cas specifique du fromage Abondance AOC. La premiere hypothese affirme que les entreprises d'une filiere AOC n'echappent pas a une certaine logique de concentration economique des structures de production qui prevaut dans le secteur agro-alimentaire. La verification de cette hypothese explique dans le cas de l'Abondance AOC un mouvement initial de delocalisation de la production en-dehors de son berceau d'origine. La seconde hypothese a trait au developpement de la production fermiere, qui beneficie dans de plusieurs facteurs d...
La commune de Vithkuq, au sud-est de l’Albanie, correspond a une zone agropastorale coherente qui... more La commune de Vithkuq, au sud-est de l’Albanie, correspond a une zone agropastorale coherente qui est connue pour ses produits pastoraux de qualite dans toute l’Albanie (Bombaj et al., 2017). Les systemes agropastoraux de cette commune suivent une logique geographique adaptee au milieu montagnard. Pour les eleveurs locaux le cœur du systeme est la zone d’estive du « massif de Rrungaja ». L’utilisation de la ressource est liee au mode de conduite du troupeau. Le terme « conduite du troupeau », signifie ici la conduite au pâturage mais aussi les techniques de reproduction, d’alimentation, de soins et d’elevage des jeunes (Guitton, Levret, et Delefortie 2008). Les dynamiques de conduite au pâturage des troupeaux ont evolue dans le temps et les systemes d’elevage actuels s’inspirent de ces dynamiques passees (Gontard, 2016). Les systemes de production en concurrence sur la ressource ont des pratiques et des resultats economiques heterogenes. Ils sont animes pas des dynamiques differente...
L’article analyse la dynamique des systèmes d’élevage d’un territoire montagneux albanais sous fo... more L’article analyse la dynamique des systèmes d’élevage d’un territoire montagneux albanais sous fortes contraintes socio-économiques, géographiques et historiques. L’objectif est de comprendre les processus qui ont conduit à la coexistence de systèmes d’élevage contrastés dans ce territoire et de montrer comment cette coexistence est liée à l’utilisation des ressources pastorales. Suite à la chute du régime communiste en 1991, la forte migration de la population vers les zones de plaine et la croissance de la demande pour les produits laitiers et carnés ont entraîné une augmentation de la production et de la taille des troupeaux dans ce territoire, avec une pression accrue sur les ressources pastorales. Les enquêtes réalisées dans cinq villages permettent de proposer une typologie des systèmes d’élevage, montrant la diversité des résultats économiques et des usages des ressources pastorales. Ces résultats questionnent l’évolution de l’élevage pastoral en Albanie dans le cadre d’une p...
Special Issue: Works from "Future Leaders Global Workshop on Social Science of Agriculture, ... more Special Issue: Works from "Future Leaders Global Workshop on Social Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment"
With the emergence of organic agriculture, in which demand can be the same from place to place, t... more With the emergence of organic agriculture, in which demand can be the same from place to place, the dynamic of local systems can be very different and influence the growth of organic production. In local systems of knowledge, which include the market and the social surroundings, the complex social interactions between farmers, extension officers, researchers, retailers, and consumers can create synergies or blockages for the emergence of organic agriculture in the network of actors surrounding farmers. This study identifies and analyzes the stakeholder network of the organic sector in the Canton of Grisons, a mountainous region of Switzerland. Social networks analysis (SNA) is used to investigate the causes of a significantly high rate of organic agriculture in this region (54% in January 2013). SNA is a method that facilitates the identification of dynamics between stakeholders and reveals the most influential actors in the emergence of a network that positively supports the develo...
This Policy Brief identifies factors that facilitate or limit the effectiveness and per- formance... more This Policy Brief identifies factors that facilitate or limit the effectiveness and per- formance of scientific research on agriculture (SRA) in terms of innovation and desired changes. Findings and the ensuing recommendations are based on an investigation of research-based innovations in six regional case studies with a Participatory Impact Pathway assessment approach. Institutional and policy frameworks have played important roles as either enabling or hindering factors. They were particularly important in raising funding for research as well as enabling product registration and marketing innovations. Policy recommendations focus on strengthening agricultural innovation support, engaging with the private sector, coordination of research and innovation policy, and better access to research data.
Ce papier presente une analyse de la dynamique actuelle des systemes d'elevage d'un terri... more Ce papier presente une analyse de la dynamique actuelle des systemes d'elevage d'un territoire montagneux sous fortes contraintes socio-economiques, geographiques et historiques. L'objectif de ce papier est de comprendre comment et pourquoi la coexistence actuelle des systemes d'elevage de ce territoire sont liees a l'evolution a l'evolution historique et l'utilisation actuelle de la ressource pastorale. Suite a la chute du regime communiste en 1992, la forte migration de la population vers les zones de plaines s'est accompagnee d'une forte augmentation de la taille des troupeaux dans ce territoire. La demande du marche pour les produits pastoraux de cette region a connu une forte augmentation accompagnee d'une augmentation des prix pour ces produits. Il ressort de ce travail que les dynamiques observees sur les marches urbains proches ou plus eloignes ont permis une croissance de la production locale de lait et de viande, tout en modifiant pr...
This report forms part of the deliverables from a project called "IMPRESA" which has be... more This report forms part of the deliverables from a project called "IMPRESA" which has been awarded financial support by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme. The project aims to evaluate the impact of research on agriculture performed in the EU, collecting data on recent trends in investment in agricultural research, and developing a framework combining case studies, econometric analysis and modelling for assessing its impact. A first task is to prepare country-level analysis of the agricultural research expenditures and an assessment of the availabilities of data regarding public and private investments in agricultural research. Agricultural research covers all research on the promotion of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and foodstuff production. It includes: research on chemical fertilisers, biocides, biological pest control and the mechanisation of agriculture; research on the impact of agricultural and forestry activities on the environment; resear...
Consumer quantitative survey is performed on general population 18+ in Serbia at the end of Septe... more Consumer quantitative survey is performed on general population 18+ in Serbia at the end of September – begging of October 2010. The instrument used in this survey was a structured questionnaire consisting of several separate sections, including motivation toward food in general (Food Choice Questionnaire FCQ), the specific questions about traditional and functional food and consumer socio-economic and demographic characteristics. The stratified three-staged random representative sample is applied (N=516). Based on reported frequency heavy traditional food consumers, who simultaneously reported lower level of functional food consumption (NT=196) and heavy functional food consumers with lower level of traditional food consumption (NF=60) are identified. A descriptive statistical analysis (parametric and non-parametric) is conducted with the aim to investigate all statistically significant differences between two consumers’ group profiles. The heavy traditional dominate over heavy fun...
In this report we assess the contribution, role, and impacts of the Science-Based Research and In... more In this report we assess the contribution, role, and impacts of the Science-Based Research and Innovation Program (ISRIP) on farmers’ transition to organic production in the Camargue. We have applied a qualitative method based on the Participatory Impact Pathway Analysis (PIPA) and complemented by other methods to adapt it to the requirements of an-ex-post evaluation (with Outcome Harvesting), to identify the role played by the different actors along the innovation pathway (with the Social Network Analysis), to validate the pathway links (with the Process tracing) and to identify the crucial components in the pathway (by asking counterfactual questions to stakeholders). We demonstrate that the research has played a limited role to support farmers’ transition to organic farming in the Camargue. Three main evidences were identified: (1) informal testing made by farmers on crop rotation were very important to help them to convert to organic farming; (2) economic factors were also impor...
We present the main characteristics and results of the Camargue case study. The case study was ab... more We present the main characteristics and results of the Camargue case study. The case study was about the evaluation of a research program focusing on the transition to organic farming (the research program was launched in 2000).
Te aim of this paper is to explore consumers' perceptions and habits regarding traditional fo... more Te aim of this paper is to explore consumers' perceptions and habits regarding traditional food in the Western Balkan Countries. In each Western Balkan country, two focus groups were carried-out (total twelve focus groups; eight to ten participants per each – total sample of 104 participants). Results of this study show that consumer motives for the choice of traditional products pertain to higher health, safety, sensory and increasingly also sustainability beliefs and expectation. Results of this study show many similarities in perception as and habits towards traditional food in different WBC. Marketing techniques are critical in conveying authenticity and enhancing the attractiveness of traditional food.
This paper explores the potential of Actor Network Theory (ANT) in understanding how the process ... more This paper explores the potential of Actor Network Theory (ANT) in understanding how the process of interaction and translation between human and non-human actors contribute to the development, adoption and diffusion of science-based innovations linked to the transition to organic farming. The study relies on two case studies, the French Camargue case covering a range of technical and social innovations, and the case from Bulgaria focusing on the development of a technical and product innovation, i.e. a veterinary product for organic beekeeping. The paper shows the limitations of classical approaches in studying innovations since they underestimate the role of heterogeneous actors, their status, and how they interact with each other. We argue that focusing on actors’ interactions helps to better understand the so-called “uncertainties” and “turning points” in the innovation development, as well as to interpret them as natural elements. Moreover we argue that challenges to tackle sho...
This paper examines how mountain communities in the Albanian post-communist period are affected b... more This paper examines how mountain communities in the Albanian post-communist period are affected by the recent decentralization process of the management of common pastures. Currently, common pastures represent 58% of the total Albanian pastures. Therefore, the issues around their management are very important for the mountain communities and the policy makers because they are the main resource for the development of the livestock activity and consequently, for the livelihood of the mountainous communities. Theory on the commons highlights the design principles for a good governance of the commons (Ostrom, 1990). More particularly, the governance needs a legal and institutional framework that allows avoiding the “tragedy of the commons” (Hardin, 1968). As a consequence, local communities need to build proper resource governance, which allows them responding well to changing conditions and establishing a resilience-based management of their common resource (Bestelmeyer & Briske, 2012)...
Nous proposons une approche de la dynamique des filieres AOC illustree par le cas du fromage Abon... more Nous proposons une approche de la dynamique des filieres AOC illustree par le cas du fromage Abondance AOC en Haute-Savoie (France). La premiere partie presente le cadre methodologique, issu des theories des couts de transaction, de la gouvernance et de la dynamique territoriale. La seconde partie est consacree a la discussion de deux hypotheses portant sur l'evolution spatiale et economique d'une filiere AOC, a partir de la lecture du cas specifique du fromage Abondance AOC. La premiere hypothese affirme que les entreprises d'une filiere AOC n'echappent pas a une certaine logique de concentration economique des structures de production qui prevaut dans le secteur agro-alimentaire. La verification de cette hypothese explique dans le cas de l'Abondance AOC un mouvement initial de delocalisation de la production en-dehors de son berceau d'origine. La seconde hypothese a trait au developpement de la production fermiere, qui beneficie dans de plusieurs facteurs d...
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