Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
into the solutions to a certain problem but also into the problem itself and the context in
which decisions take place (van de Kerkhof and Wieczorek, 2005). Thus, a learning process
could result in a modification of the specific instruments that are used (first-order learning),
but may also lead to change in the framework of ideas and standards within which actors
customarily work, including their basic assumptions (second-order learning).
Finally, the role of policies in the transition has to be addressed, particularly in relation
to strategies at different levels, regional and territorial development approaches, levels of
policy-making and changes in the policy framework over time. Of particular importance are
various policy measures as part of the incumbent regime, as well as policy changes in
relation to the emergence of the niche(s) and the process of regime transformation.
Case study selection and research methods
The purpose of the FarmPath research was to identify findings that were of relevance at
European level. This led to a methodological challenge in devising a procedure for the
selection of countries in a way that would represent a wide variety of European contexts,
particularly central and peripheral Europe, northern and southern Europe, and original and
new entrant states. Research was, thus, undertaken in seven European states: Bulgaria, the
Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Portugal and the United Kingdom. The regions
within each country were selected so as to reflect the heterogeneity of agriculture and the
wide diversity of 'agri-food' models and initiatives such as organic farming, local food or
non-food products and services which are of particular interest to the research (for example
potential areas of best practice). In some regions, environmental aspects had been identified
as the core challenge to sustainability, whereas in others the emphasis was on social
aspects. Some of the initiatives and farming models include explicitly spatial elements,
such as Less Favoured Areas (LFAs) or non LFAs, farming in Natura 2000 sites and/or
supporting biodiversity conservation functions of the NATURA areas. The prevailing
production system (intensive - extensive - very low input), as well as the existence of 'high
nature value' farming systems in the areas under examination, also formed part of the
criteria.
The resulting in-depth analysis is intended to identify the key societal actors (including
technologies and institutions) in these initiatives, the role of these varying actors in
transition processes, and how different institutional, socio-cultural, political and geographic
contexts and access to technologies have resulted in different levels of success for these
initiatives; this success would be measured in terms of social, economic and environmental
sustainability. This analytical approach is used to clarify the social, institutional and
technological innovation needs involved in scaling up and disseminating these initiatives.
Overall, primary data collection has been undertaken in 21 case studies within the
participating countries, as described below.
Elaboration of the selection procedure - the evaluation matrix
The evaluation matrix is a set of criteria by which the candidate case studies were
identified, described and subsequently selected. The purpose of the evaluation matrix was
twofold. First, to propose a set of criteria for the selection of the case studies a
multidimensional evaluation criteria matrix was developed. For a limited number of criteria
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