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Organic farmers facing the processes of institutionalization and conventionalization. A longitudinal study in Belgium

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  • Van Dam, Denise
  • Nizet, Jean

Abstract

In this paper, we examine how professional practices of organic farmers and their justification of it have evolved over the past 8-10 years. We interviewed thirty Belgian organic farmers, the first time, in 2001-2003, and again in 2010-11. We draw on theories of institutionalization and conventionalization of organic agriculture and complete them with the theory of justification, especially by referring to an ecological order of justification. We adopt a longitudinal device and proceed by abduction. The research results show that for the majority of the interviewed farmers, the effects of the processes of institutionalization and conventionalization are relatively limited. For these subjects, the ecological references do not diminish in importance, but are transformed. More specifically, those farmers innovate by “accommodating” the ecological order with the industrial and commercial. A minority of the interviewees benefit from the processes of institutionalization and conventionalization and another minority is excluded from organic farming.

Suggested Citation

  • Van Dam, Denise & Nizet, Jean, 2014. "Organic farmers facing the processes of institutionalization and conventionalization. A longitudinal study in Belgium," Review of Agricultural and Environmental Studies - Revue d'Etudes en Agriculture et Environnement (RAEStud), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), vol. 95(4).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:frraes:241981
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.241981
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Fairweather, 1999. "Understanding how farmers choose between organic and conventional production: Results from New Zealand and policy implications," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 16(1), pages 51-63, March.
    2. Ika Darnhofer & Walter Schneeberger & Bernhard Freyer, 2005. "Converting or not converting to organic farming in Austria:Farmer types and their rationale," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 22(1), pages 39-52, March.
    3. Monica Truninger, 2008. "The organic food market in Portugal: contested meanings, competing conventions," International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 7(1/2), pages 110-125.
    4. Olivier Godard, 2004. "De la pluralité des ordres – Les problèmes d'environnement et de développement durable à la lumière de la théorie de la justification," Géographie, économie, société, Lavoisier, vol. 6(3), pages 303-330.
    5. Henning Best, 2008. "Organic agriculture and the conventionalization hypothesis: A case study from West Germany," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 25(1), pages 95-106, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aygun E. Guliyeva & Marcin Lis, 2020. "Sustainability Management of Organic Food Organizations: A Case Study of Azerbaijan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-20, June.

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