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The Bio-Economy Concept and Knowledge Base in a Public Goods and Farmer Perspective

Schmid, Otto; Padel, Susanne and Levidov, Les (2012) The Bio-Economy Concept and Knowledge Base in a Public Goods and Farmer Perspective. Bio-based and Applied Economics, 1 (1), pp. 47-63.

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Summary

Currently an industrial perspective dominates the EU policy framework for a European bio-economy. The Commission’s proposal on the bio-economy emphasises greater resource-efficiency, largely within an industrial perspective on global economic competitiveness, benefiting capital-intensive industries at higher levels of the value chain. However a responsible bio-economy must initially address the sustainable use of resources. Many farmers are not only commodity producers but also providers of quality food and managers of the eco-system. A public goods-oriented bio-economy emphasises agro-ecological methods, organic and low (external) input farming systems, ecosystem services, social innovation in multi-stakeholder collective practices
and joint production of knowledge. The potential of farmers and SMEs to contribute to innovation must be fully recognised. This approach recognises the importance of
local knowledge enhancing local capabilities, while also accommodating diversity and complexity. Therefore the bio-economy concept should have a much broader scope
than the dominant one in European Commission innovation policy. Socio-economic research is needed to inform strategies, pathways and stakeholder cooperation towards
sustainability goals.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:Bio-economy, public goods, European Union, agro-ecology, sustainable development, rural development
Subjects: Knowledge management > Research methodology and philosophy > Research communication and quality
Food systems > Policy environments and social economy
Research affiliation: Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Society > Agri-food policy
International Organizations > Technology Platform TP Organics
UK > Organic Research Centre (ORC)
UK > Other organizations
ISSN:ISSN 2280-6172 (online)
Deposited By: Padel, Dr Susanne
ID Code:20942
Deposited On:19 Jun 2012 08:23
Last Modified:16 Feb 2022 15:52
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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