Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Given the concept of sustainable food system describe herein, we suggest that sustainable food
systems exist on a continuum. The top end of the continuum would define a food production
system that is nature-based and which achieves the highest level of integration with the ecology
and social system in which it exits. We would label this highly ecologically and socially
integrated food production system organic agriculture. Our conception of organic agriculture
presented here is consistent with the definition proposed by Codex Alimentarius Commission
which states that:
“Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system which promotes and enhances agro-
ecosystems health including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It emphasizes the
use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking into account that regional
conditions require locally adapted systems. This is accomplished by using, where possible, cultural,
biological, and mechanical methods, as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfill any specific
function within the system.”
(Quoted in [21] pp.6)
At the low end of the continuum, displaying the lowest level of integration would be conven‐
tional industrial agriculture. Between these two extremes would be food production systems
that manifest varying degrees of ecological and social integration or levels of sustainability.
So then, organic agriculture is the ideal that we should work toward achieving as we strive to
achieve a sustainable food system.
In today's market place there is a growing demand for organic products. And consumers seem
willing to pay a premium price for products carrying organic quality labels. Questions that
arise are how reliable are these quality labels and what level of confidence should consumers
put in such labels? Usually the control process is carried out by independent certifiers who are
guided by criteria promulgated by rule-making agencies. Certifiers must be vigilant and
succeed in revealing departures from standards and opportunistic behavior in order for quality
assurance labels to build up the reputation necessary to serve as a reliable quality signal.
However, in the case of Potemkin attributes (where the desirable attribute is based on a process
such as in organic production) there is the potential for quality statements to be made with
little risk of disclosure of departures from standards, because consumer agencies, NGOs, and
public authorities are usually not able to verify marketing claims or discover opportunistic
behavior. What is needed to deter opportunistic behavior and identify departures from
accepted standards is a quality monitoring protocol that covers the whole supply chain and
ensures on-site inspections throughout the production process [22]. Another approach is to
ensure stricter audit standards and rigorous training of certifiers, but these approaches are
likely to increase the cost of certification and the resultant cost of organic products, which will
drive down demand for products that are already offered to consumers at premium prices. In
our view, a less expensive, organically-based and a more resilient approach would entail
shortening the supply chain and fostering closer connection between producers and consum‐
ers. We envisage that the community and farmers would fulfill the role of active co-stewards
(the community of consumers and producers) of the organic food production system. As co-
stewards of an organic food production system, farmers and consumers would be organized
in networks that exchange ideas, share experiences and information and work together to solve
problems. In this situation, an effective self-monitoring protocol that is grounded in a culture
