4318: Conversion to organic farming and sustainability: a socio-ecological analysis
(2005) Conversion to organic farming and sustainability: a socio-ecological analysis. Poster presented at Researching Sustainable Systems - International Scientific Conference on Organic Agriculture, Adelaide, Australia, September 21-23, 2005.
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Summary
This study aims to understand the process of conversion from conventional to organic farming in Canada. Specifically, it looks at what factors have affected this decision and if this production system improved the prospects for sustainability. In order to achieve these objectives this study uses a socio-ecological approach and focuses on organic farmers in Ontario. Besides including a bibliographic review, organic agricultural leaders were surveyed and life story interviews were conducted with producers. The results showed that the decision to become organic is influenced by the type of farmers, their context, and their rationale for conversion. The reasons for converting to organic depended not only on economic factors, but also socio-cultural and institutional parameters. The conversion was associated with a change of values towards protecting the environment and improving farmers’ lifestyles. This model of development doesn't entirely attain sustainability. In order for that to occur, the harmonization of the Canadian organic farming system requires a political solution, which humanizes the complex system of interests for organic producers and shows the potential contribution of organic farming to the achievement of sustainability goals.
| Document Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Organic Farming, Sustainability, Socio ecological Analysis |
| Subject Areas: | Food systems > Policy environments and social economy Farming Systems > Social aspects |
| Research affiliation: | International Conferences > ISOFAR conferences > Researching Sustainable Systems 2005 |
| Total budget (Euro): | 0 |
| Orgprints ID Number: | 4318 |
| Contact: | ISOFAR, |
| Deposited On: | 10 October 2005 |
| EPrint Type: | Conference poster |
| Published?: | Unpublished |
| Peer Review Status: | Peer-reviewed and accepted |
| Additional Publishing Information: | The paper presented here is the final paper submitted by the authors to the conference Researching Sustainable Systems. The final edited papers are available with the following publication: Köpke, Ulrich; Niggli, Urs; Neuhoff, Daniel; Cornish, Peter; Lockeretz, Willie und Willer, Helga, (Hrsg.) (2005) Researching Sustainable Systems. Proceedings of the First Scientific Conference of the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR), Held in Cooperation with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia (NASAA), 21 – 23 September 2005, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, South Australia.. Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, CH-Frick, and International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR), c/o Institute of Organic Agriculture (IOL), DE-University of Bonn. http://orgprints.org/4013/ Distribution: Paper copies may be ordered from FiBL at a cost of 28 Euros plus mailing costs (see FiBL shop at http://www.fibl.org/shop); FiBL order number 1394. A PDF version is available free of charge for ISOFAR members via the member area of www.isofar.org. |
| Related Links: | http://orgprints.org/4013/, http://www.isofar.org/adelaide2005, http://orgprints.org/view/projects/int-conf-isofar-2005.html |
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