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Local Agri-Food Systems as a Cultural Heritage Strategy to Recover the Sustainability of Local Communities. Insights from the Spanish Case

Author

Listed:
  • Josep Espluga-Trenc

    (Institut de Govern i Polítiques Públiques, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
    Departament de Sociologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain)

  • Laura Calvet-Mir

    (Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
    Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, 08860 Castelldefels, Spain)

  • Daniel López-García

    (Fundación Entretantos, 47014 Valladolid, Spain)

  • Marina Di Masso

    (Chair Agroecology and Food Systems, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, 08500 Vic, Spain)

  • Ariadna Pomar

    (Arran de Terra SCCL, 08011 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Guillem Tendero

    (Arran de Terra SCCL, 08011 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

One of the factors threatening the sustainability of rural territories is the hegemonic agro-industrial model, whose environmental and social impacts strongly limit rural life. Here, we want to call attention to the opportunities provided by alternative agri-food systems, based on agroecology and food sovereignty, as a cultural heritage to support sustainable local development. We have carried out exploratory research to draft the main agroecological initiatives in Spain, particularly those having explicit support or encouragement from public administrations. An on-line questionnaire ( n = 40) was delivered, and in-depth interviews ( n = 15) were carried out among a sample of people working in the Spanish agroecology sector (public and private). The results demonstrate how the recovery and promotion of traditional ecological knowledge can help to increase the capacity of the social-ecological systems to cope with shocks and disturbances and maintain long-term resilience. In addition, agroecological practices allow collective identities to emerge around the characteristics of the territory strengthening local life, placing the society-ecosystem coevolution at the center of local identity. In conclusion, although still a minority, we have showed how several types of policies conceiving agroecological practices as an intangible collective heritage, with significant transformative potential towards local sustainability, have already been implemented.

Suggested Citation

  • Josep Espluga-Trenc & Laura Calvet-Mir & Daniel López-García & Marina Di Masso & Ariadna Pomar & Guillem Tendero, 2021. "Local Agri-Food Systems as a Cultural Heritage Strategy to Recover the Sustainability of Local Communities. Insights from the Spanish Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6068-:d:563920
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Esther Turnhout & Bob Bloomfield & Mike Hulme & Johannes Vogel & Brian Wynne, 2012. "Listen to the voices of experience," Nature, Nature, vol. 488(7412), pages 454-455, August.
    2. Laura Calvet-Mir & Petra Benyei & Laura Aceituno-Mata & Manuel Pardo-de-Santayana & Daniel López-García & María Carrascosa-García & Antonio Perdomo-Molina & Victoria Reyes-García, 2018. "The Contribution of Traditional Agroecological Knowledge as a Digital Commons to Agroecological Transitions: The Case of the CONECT-e Platform," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-14, September.
    3. Daniel López-García & Laura Calvet-Mir & Marina Masso & Josep Espluga, 2019. "Multi-actor networks and innovation niches: university training for local Agroecological Dynamization," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 36(3), pages 567-579, September.
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