‘The missing actor’: alternative agri-food networks and the resistance of key regime actors - Transition Pathways towards Sustainability in Agriculture: Case Studies from Europe - page 152

down-stream partners of the regime that it went through bankruptcy before radically re-
orienting its activities towards regional food chains.
In Rennes the overall result has been a change in the perspective of the niche in the
last 4 years: the idea is slowly switching from a perspective based on short supply chains
(which are widespread in France, Kneafsey et al. , 2013 and based on either no
intermediaries, or only one intermediary, between producer and consumer) to a more
regional vision of food chains. Produce, now expected to transit from producer to
consumer at the local-regional level, has to be identified as regionally produced and as
meeting the holistic quality standards which are the foundation of the niche. However, the
role of, and need for, intermediaries to optimize such local food chains is slowly being
recognized. These intermediaries are expected to ease logistical issues, to reduce the food
miles of local food chains and help cope with the larger amounts of produce needed given
increasing consumer demand. One of the indicators of this evolution is a new research
programme funded by the French Ministry of Agriculture, called 'Interval', studying the
characteristics and specific benefits provided by these new niche actors.
In Santorini, the resistance of farmers has been partially overcome thanks to two
simultaneous processes. The first process initiated by niche actors was based on a 'semi-
forced' enrolment of existing grape producers by increasing the prices paid for grapes and
offering technical assistance. Initially, the prices paid to farmers were suddenly doubled
by winemakers in the niche who had individually settled as new entrants. Later, Santo
Wines also followed this example by increasing (though not doubling) the price paid to
farmers.
The second process consisted of enrolment of new actors (in this case new wine-
makers) representing the 'missing' part of the niche, and meeting increasing demand.
Some niche actors, pioneers and more innovative, well-established winemakers, brought
changes in production practices such as linear systems of vine cultivation despite
resistance from the regime. Older farmers were more reluctant to adopt such changes
because of deeply held visions of farming and farmer identities. By incorporating the
niche's existing technology and marketing practices, SantoWines has become bigger and
more modern, and gained more power and influence over farmers and local society. The
fact that SantoWines is the compulsory last resort buyer of local grapes gives it the power
to formally represent local farmers. Senior executives of SantoWines have also gained
power in local politics. For example, the Chairman of SantoWines is an elected local
politician. Lastly, SantoWines now also handles all subsidies for farmers, another example
of its power base.
Conclusion
In Rennes and Santorini (and possibly in Pilsen, in the future trajectory of the niche), the
enrolment of resistant actors into the niche is based on their progressive interest in the
activity of the niche. In Rennes, intermediary food chain actors joining the niche benefit
strongly from their new economic and institutional independence towards the regime.
Price negotiations with up- and down-stream actors, social recognition of their role, and
social networking are strongly reinforced. The increasing presence of these actors will
probably contribute in a decisive way to reinforce and stabilize the autonomy of the niche,