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Small farms contribution to food security: a food system resilience perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Pavlos Karanikolas

    (Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), Greece, Dept. Agr. Economics and Rural Development)

  • Dimitrios Theocharidis

    (Greek Payment Authority of Common Agricultural Policy Aid Schemes)

  • Thedoros Tsiligiridis

    (Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), Greece, Dept. Agr. Economics and Rural Development, Professor)

  • Konstantinos Tsiboukas

    (Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), Greece, Dept. Agr. Economics and Rural Development, Professor)

Abstract

This study examines the contribution of small farms (SFs) to food security by using the concept of food system resilience. The study concerns both the whole agri-food system and the subsystem of citrus fruits in the NUTS3 region of Ileia, in Southwestern Greece. Within a dynamic and diversified food system, most of SFs are characterized by a high degree of market integration along with a low degree of food self-sufficiency. A series of reinforcing and balancing feedback loops make the system more vulnerable, undermining its adaptive and transformative capacities. On the contrary, a series of other processes, including specific farming practices which integrate successfully traditional and scientific knowledge, strengthen the system. The ongoing crisis of the Greek economy affects heavily the operation of the regional food system and its outcomes, while it relatively weakens the reinforcement function of some feedback loops, mitigating their adverse consequences. Possible food insecurity problems exist in farms/households which fall below the poverty line, while SFs have to overcome the risk of extreme fragmentation. The findings of this study question the capacity of the regional food system to deliver in a sustainable way its outcomes, as well as to respond effectively to the current challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Pavlos Karanikolas & Dimitrios Theocharidis & Thedoros Tsiligiridis & Konstantinos Tsiboukas, 2017. "Small farms contribution to food security: a food system resilience perspective," Working Papers 2017-1, Agricultural University of Athens, Department Of Agricultural Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:aua:wpaper:2017-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Food and nutrition security; food system resilience; small farms; Greece;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty

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